site.btaBulgarian Foreign Ministry Commends BTA for Coverage of UNESCO Heritage Committee Session

Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry has officially thanked the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) for its comprehensive coverage and dedicated support during the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held at the organization’s headquarters in Paris from July 6 to 16. The session was presided over by Bulgaria.

In a letter addressed to BTA Director General Kiril Valchev, Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev expressed his deep appreciation for the agency’s role in highlighting Bulgaria’s contribution to global cultural heritage. The letter praised the BTA team for producing over 50 professional reports during the event, underscoring the agency’s commitment and journalistic excellence.

The Ministry also highlighted the presentation of a special edition of BTA’s LIK magazine, translated and published in English and French, in addition to Bulgarian, which focused on Bulgaria's relationship with UNESCO. The publication drew significant interest from participants, showcasing Bulgaria’s 70-year membership with the organization and its enduring efforts to preserve world heritage.

“The special issue of LIK magazine not only drew the attention of all participants to Bulgaria's enormous and long-standing contribution to world heritage preservation, but also comprehensively summarized this country's seven decades of membership in UNESCO,” the Foreign Ministry wrote.

The letter also acknowledged the efforts of BTA’s on-the-ground team in Paris: Vanya Suharova (reporter at LIK Directorate), Milena Stoykova (photojournalist), Emil Granicharov (video editor), and Yanitsa Hristova (managing editor of LIK magazine).

Minister Georgiev emphasized that the multilingual editions of LIK magazine and the translated in English reports from the session have contributed to greater international awareness of Bulgaria’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and national achievements. “This will undoubtedly have a long-term positive impact on the efforts to attract tourists, investments, and new technologies to Bulgaria and will support the work of Bulgarian diplomats in protecting national interests,” he noted.

In closing, the Foreign Minister reaffirmed his confidence in the continued successful cooperation between the Ministry and BTA: “I would like to once again emphasize the high appreciation for the assistance that BTA, and you personally, provide in upholding the important interests of the Republic of Bulgaria in public and I am confident that the successful cooperation between the Foreign Ministry and BTA will continue in the future.”

The 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee gave a chance to Bulgaria to globally showcase its cultural legacy.

UNESCO's World Heritage Committee is one of the two governing bodies responsible for implementing the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. It is composed of representatives from 21 countries elected from among the 196 States Parties to the Convention.

UNESCO was founded on November 16, 1945. Bulgaria became a member on May 17, 1956, the same year its National Commission for UNESCO was established. The Commission coordinates activities between Bulgarian institutions and UNESCO.