The World Heritage Committee is currently in session in Azerbaijan where, among other matters, they will judge which worldly locations will make the cut for the prestigious Unesco World Heritage List. The committee, which is meeting in Baku until July 10, has already declared a number of new entries for 2019, selected from a nomination list of more than 30. Among them is <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/art/unesco-lists-iraq-s-babylon-as-world-heritage-site-1.883108" target="_blank">Iraq's Mesopotamian metropolis of Babylon</a>, as well as <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/unesco-lists-bahrain-s-dilmun-era-burial-mounds-as-world-heritage-site-1.883369" target="_blank">Bahrain's Dilmun Burial Mounds</a>. Locations renowned for their cultural significance, ranging as far as China, Poland, Australia and Laos, have also been awarded the honour. <strong>Scroll through the gallery to see the Unesco World Heritage Sites announced for 2019 so far.</strong> Once a landmark has been awarded heritage status, it is legally protected by international treaties, in a bid to conserve it as best as possible for future generations. There are currently more than 1,000 World Heritage Sites scattered across the globe, with entries including cities such as Vienna and Rome, as well as landmarks such as Peru's Machu Picchu, Australia's Great Barrier Reef and Oman's Ancient City of Qalhat.
