Zambia's Chilangwa Chaiwa re-elected Africa Vice-President of ICOMOS, the body that advises UNESCO on heritage sites

Chilangwa Chaiwa, a Zambian heritage conservation expert at the National Heritage Conservation Commission (NHCC), has been re-elected Vice-President for the African region of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). The election took place at the 22nd ICOMOS General Assembly in Kuching, Malaysia. ICOMOS advises UNESCO on cultural heritage, including World Heritage Sites. Ms Chaiwa serves with four other Vice-Presidents, from Malaysia, Jordan, Norway and Australia, under the newly elected ICOMOS President, Grainne Shaffrey of Ireland. Her seat is the one that speaks for Africa on the council's leadership. The NHCC Executive Director, Kagosi Mwamulowe, who is also the immediate past President of ICOMOS-Zambia, called the result "a proud moment for Zambia". He described her re-election as a "special Independence Day gift to Zambia and the Commission", coming as the country marked its 62nd independence anniversary. Ms Chaiwa has pledged to strengthen Africa's voice in global heritage conservation. ## Why it matters Heritage sites draw visitors, and the way they are protected and presented affects tourism income and local jobs. A Zambian in a vice-president's seat gives the African region, and Zambia's own heritage officers, a place in the discussions where those standards are set. For young Zambians who study archaeology, history or conservation, it also shows a career path that leads to an international body. ## What happens next Ms Chaiwa begins her new term alongside the newly elected president and the other vice-presidents. The reports available do not give the length of the term. Source: The Zambian Observer, 25 October 2026, 20:46 (Africa/Lusaka). Link: <https://zambianobserver.com/zambian-woman-re-elected-to-top-international-heritage-position/>