As regards the safeguarding of sites and monuments and the conservation of biosphere reserves, UNESCO places increasing emphasis on a regional approach through the organization of regional, subregional and national training courses which enable students, technicians and specialists to deepen their knowledge in their own familiar environment and make use of techniques based on local materials and equipment. These activities, organized by the World Heritage Centre at UNESCO, have resulted in the creation of a network of African experts and the preparation of a 10-year training programme known as “Africa 2009”.

At present, the number of sub-Saharan African sites included on the World Heritage List totals 46. Of these 29 are natural sites, 16 cultural sites and one a combined site. (go to http://www.unesco.org/whc/nwhc/pages/sites/maplist/africa.htm).

In view of the limited number of African sites and monuments figuring on the World Heritage List, UNESCO has devised a global strategic policy to enable African States to present lists indicating cultural properties that they wish to have included in the World Heritage List.