During the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, the Regional World Heritage Institute in Zacatecas (RWHIZ) held the international launch of the first issue of the magazine Echoes of Heritage: Promoting World Heritage in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

The event, held on July 23, 2026, at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) in the Republic of Korea, marked the first formal side event organized by RWHIZ during a World Heritage Committee session.

The presentation was led by RWHIZ Director General Carlos Augusto Torres Pérez, who highlighted that Echoes of Heritage represents the consolidation of an institutional project aimed at strengthening dissemination, knowledge exchange, and cooperation among States Parties, specialists, institutions, and communities across Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Participants included Mauro Rosi, Head of the Latin America and the Caribbean Unit at the UNESCO World Heritage Centre; Javier Edwards Ibarra, from Panama’s Ministry of Culture and a member of the magazine’s Editorial Board; Juan Mubarak, Director of Monumental Heritage at the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Culture; and José Feliciano, Director General of Institutional Strengthening and International Affairs at Mexico’s National Commission of Protected Natural Areas.

During their remarks, participants reflected on the importance of having regional publishing platforms that facilitate the dissemination of experiences, research, best practices, and diverse perspectives regarding the conservation, management, and promotion of World Heritage. They also highlighted the role of Category 2 Centres as instruments for cooperation and networking within the World Heritage system.

It was noted during the event that the journal aims to be more than just a vehicle for institutional communication; it seeks to be an open space for dialogue and the collective construction of knowledge, capable of highlighting the challenges faced and contributions made by Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean within the international World Heritage agenda.

The launch provided an opportunity to present the publication to representatives of States Parties, advisory bodies, Category 2 Centres, specialized institutions, and other stakeholders attending the Committee session, as well as to expand collaboration possibilities for future issues.