Ambassador to go over Unesco fears

Unesco Ambassador Ray Bondin will be replaced as the Government tries to address concerns about Valletta’s World Heritage status. Times of Malta reported on Monday that Unesco was worried about the City Gate project’s impact on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of Valletta, for which it is inscribed on the World Heritage List. Replying to written questions, the Culture Parliamentary Secretariat listed the designation of a new honorary ambassador among the “procedures” it had “set in motion” to protect Valletta. It added that Unesco's concerns were not only about the City Gate project but also other developments in and around the capital.  An announcement on Dr Bondin’s replacement as honorary ambassador and permanent delegate to Unesco would be made “in due time”, the secretariat said. It would not divulge the identity of the new ambassador. Dr Bondin was reluctant to speak on the matter yesterday, saying he had not yet been removed from his post. However, he confirmed he had been told he would be replaced but did not know when or why. “I cannot understand it. I am a well-known expert at Unesco on world heritage and heritage in general and have been very active over many...