Beijing has been designated as the UNESCO-UIA (International Union of Architects) World Capital of Architecture 2029, UNESCO announced on Wednesday.
The designation followed the recommendation of the Joint Committee for the World Capital of Architecture.
Established jointly by UNESCO and UIA, the World Capital of Architecture program highlights the transformative role of architecture, urban planning, culture and heritage in advancing sustainable urban development. Every three years, UNESCO designates the host city of the UIA World Congress as the UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, became the first city to be designated the UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture in 2020, followed by Copenhagen and Barcelona.
According to UNESCO, Beijing was selected for its "exceptional ability to bring together one of the world's richest architectural heritages with a forward-looking vision of sustainable urban development."
"Its historic urban fabric, successful regeneration projects and vibrant architectural culture demonstrate how heritage, innovation and community life can reinforce one another in shaping resilient and livable cities," UNESCO said in a press release.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany was quoted in the press release saying that Beijing’s extraordinary architectural heritage, dynamic urban transformation and forward-looking vision would inspire new international dialogue on the power of architecture.
Under the theme "Back to Balance," Beijing will mount a series of exhibitions, conferences, educational forums, and public events throughout 2029, alongside its hosting of the UIA World Congress of Architects. The events will serve as a global platform for exploring architecture as a catalyst for cultural stewardship, symbiotic harmony between humanity and nature, and sustainable urban development.
Beijing designated as UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture 2029
Iran and Oman are close to finalizing an agreement on new arrangements for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, under which the temporary northern and southern routes will be replaced by a new single route passing through Iran's territorial waters for two to four months, said a senior Iranian diplomat.
In an interview with the official news agency IRNA published Wednesday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said the two sides had reached in-principle agreement on almost all relevant issues, including the entry and exit route map, following more than three weeks of consultations.
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Tuesday described the ongoing talks between Iran and Oman as "positive" at both technical and political levels, with a focus on designating safe routes for vessels' passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to him, the two countries have reached consensus on the geographic coordinates of the proposed routes through the Strait and are now finalizing a joint statement.
However, Kazem Gharibabadi pointed out that the potential agreement did not mean that the strait would be reopened completely.
He emphasized that the terms of navigation in the Strait must be determined exclusively by Iran and Oman, and that Tehran would firmly reject any outside interference.
Gharibabadi rejected U.S. claims of negotiations with Iran, saying Tehran had received messages from Washington expressing readiness to return to commitments under the peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two sides in June.
According to the deputy minister, the United States sent a message to Iran four to five days after the outbreak of the latest round of hostilities, proposing negotiations to address the issue.
Meanwhile, an informed source close to the Iranian negotiating team told the semi-official Fars news agency that the reopening of the strait hinges on tangible U.S. implementation of its commitments, adding that the U.S. Treasury Department's removal of sanctions on an Iraqi airline on Wednesday was unrelated to the Iran-U.S. MoU.
Iran tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 28, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States, following their joint launch of strikes on Iranian territory.
The U.S. military launched multiple waves of strikes against Iranian targets last month, saying they were in response to Iranian attacks on vessels in the strait and aimed at "degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping."
Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. military bases and facilities in the region.
Iran, Oman close to finalizing deal on new Hormuz Strait shipping arrangements: Iran's deputy foreign minister
