WILLEMSTAD - Following the Monument Council's expression of dissatisfaction with Minister Cooper's statements regarding our World Heritage status, Fundashon Pro Monumento has added its voice to the criticism. During last week's Invest In Willemstad meeting, Cooper openly questioned the significance of our city center's inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Pro Monumento is expressing concern about the minister's apparent lack of awareness and asserts that Cooper's remarks undermine decades of governmental efforts. According to Cooper, the status has minimal impact on attracting additional tourists. The protected designation often imposes constraints on new construction projects in the city. The potential risk of losing our World Heritage status looms if the cityscape undergoes significant changes, and reclaiming it is deemed nearly impossible. Notable sites on the UNESCO list include the Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu, and the historic center of Rome.