PARIS: Sarawak is stepping up efforts to secure UNESCO recognition for the state’s diverse intangible heritage and the historic Fort Trails project, reflecting its deep commitment to preserve cultural identity and promoting sustainable development.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Snowdan Lawan said Sarawak aims to nominate elements of intangible cultural heritage practised by its 34 ethnic communities for inclusion in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage lists.
One of the key initiatives discussed was the Fort Trails project, which highlights the cultural and historical importance of 23 forts constructed during the Brooke era. Of these, only 14 remain and have been officially gazetted, while the rest live on through oral histories passed down by descendants of their builders.
“The Fort Trails reflect not just colonial architecture but the collaborative spirit of our forebears, who provided beliantimber, labour, food, and knowledge to build these forts.
“These living memories are part of our collective heritage and a vital link to our past,” said Snowdan.
He said the nomination efforts will involve close coordination with the National Heritage Department, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC), and the Permanent Delegation of Malaysia to UNESCO.
Snowdan was speaking during a working visit to the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, where he met with Fumiko Ohinata, secretary of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, to present Sarawak’s case.
Earlier, the deputy minister also held a meeting with Jyoti Hosagrahar, deputy director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, to reaffirm Sarawak’s commitment to foster connections between people, culture, and nature through heritage.
The discussions highlighted the relevance of UNESCO’s Culture|2030 Indicators and how they align with Sarawak’s Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS). Snowdanhighlighted the state’s aspirations to integrate cultural preservation into broader sustainable development goals.
“I also highlighted how the recent inscription of Niah Caves as a World Heritage Site presents opportunities to protect the heritage of local communities while promoting sustainable practices, particularly in sustainable crafts for sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
Also present during the visit were Dr Shahrizal Norwawi, Deputy Permanent Delegate of Malaysia to UNESCO, and Dr M. Miandy Munusamy, counsellor at the Malaysian delegation, reflecting Malaysia’s collective support for Sarawak’s heritage ambitions.
The visit reflects Sarawak’s proactive engagement with global cultural institutions and its resolve to position heritage as a catalyst for identity, sustainability, and inclusive development.
