They consist of 16 sites in Wallonia, 27 in Flanders and 96 in France and pays tribute to all the victims of this conflict, from more than 130 modern-day nations.
The sites are symbols of reconciliation and equality and honour every soldier irrespective of their geographical or social origin.
This UNESCO recognition follows 15 years of close cooperation between the Flemish Agency for Immovable Heritage, the Walloon Agency for Heritage and the French Association des Sites et Paysages de Mémoire de la Grande Guerre.
For more than 100 years, organisations such as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge and the American Battle Monuments Commission have been the guardians of a heritage that now be recognised by UNESCO.
Visitors from all over the world commemorate their ancestors and find solace here.
The global recognition is a great message of fraternity for the homelands of soldiers originating from all corners of the world.
Founded in the aftermath of World War II, UNESCO is the cultural and scientific arm of the United Nations. UNESCO's mission is to contribute to peace building, poverty alleviation, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, science, culture and communication.
The World Heritage Committee consists of 21 countries that serve on the committee for a four-year term.
The committee oversees the conservation of recognised sites and, each year, decides on the inclusion or deletion of individual monuments and sites on the World Heritage List.
* Anita Rampall at anita.rampall@visitflanders.com
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