Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to announce receipt and tabling in this House of the Report of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization more commonly known as UNESCO’s Advisory Mission to Bermuda’s own World Heritage Site –the Historic Town of St. George’s and Related Fortifications. 

Mr. Speaker in March, I informed this Honourable House and the listening public that the Government had invited representatives of UNESCO to the Historic Town to perform an Advisory Mission for the purpose of: 

1. Conducting an overall assessment of the Town of St. George’s World Heritage site. 
2. Review any current or proposed developments in the Area. 
3. Review and advise on the Planning protections and management measures currently established in legislation and those intended to be and 
4. Engage with decision makers and relevant stakeholders involved in the maintenance and preservation of the World Heritage Site. 

Mr. Speaker, before I continue, I wish to briefly remind of the background for this Advisory Mission. 

Twenty-Four (24) years ago, after a lengthy concerted effort and application process by local heritage stakeholders in the late 1990’s, the Historic Town of St. George’s, and Related Fortifications – approximately 19 different forts – were inscribed as World Heritage Sites by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in December 2000 and retroactively given the designation of outstanding universal value in 2014. 

Mr. Speaker, during this inscription process another piece was added – a World Heritage Site “buffer zone.” This Buffer Zone (not including the town itself) protects the Town, Forts, and spans some 746 hectares or 3 miles which vastly range from the Town itself, across to Tobacco Bay, then to the Royal Artillery or as locals call it “RA”, then back to the Town itself. 

Mr. Speaker in 2000 to support and manage the World Heritage Site, a standing body was established known as the World Heritage Committee which comprised of various local entities including representatives from the Corporation of St. George’s, the Bermuda National Trust, the St. George’s Foundation, and other such relevant organisations. This body is supposed to advise the Government on recommended management plans and development proposals in the area. However, the Committee has not held meetings since the Covid-19 Pandemic attributed to several reasons. 

Mr. Speaker, since the original inscription representatives of UNESCO have not visited the Town of St. George’s and as we are all are aware, times have changed. 

Mr. Speaker, this Legislature and the greater public acknowledges that the former Capital is in dire need of an economic revitalisation. Hence the rationale for the Government designating the area as an Economic Empowerment Zone, agreeing for a designated NCL ferry during peak tourist season and other incentives to assist the Corporation in driving investment to the Town.

This attempted revitalisation for the Town spans successive Governments and both sides of the aisle have demonstrated agreement that the Town needs help – although our methods may differ. 

But regardless of our differences, both the Government and the Opposition agree that a part of this economic renaissance must involve some sort of development. Anyone who understands basic economics knows that construction helps stimulate growth and as such, multiple major construction projects have begun over the last decade such as the St. Regis Development and The St. George’s Marina Project with the goals of increasing immediate investment in the short term while simultaneously increasing Tourism investment in the long-term. 

Mr. Speaker, UNESCO has noticed this change in philosophy for the Island and has recently made their position known to the Government through several correspondences. 

Mr. Speaker to be clear, the Advisory Mission should not be considered a concerning matter. Rather, the reason for this Advisory Mission was to allow the Government, Corporation of St. George’s, and relevant stakeholders to directly discuss the overall direction for the Town; address any concerns the entity may have; and seek its opinion on the Town. 

Mr. Speaker it is advised that overall, this report is positive. In terms of legislation and planning tools, the mission noted that the Government of Bermuda has a clear and well-defined legal framework for managing change and development, which considers cultural assets of national significance within Bermuda. 

The mission also found that the overall state of conservation of the Town of St George can be considered particularly good and that this component part of the serial property retains a remarkable degree of integrity and authenticity. 

These positive aspects of the report can be attributed to this Government’s recent amendments to and implementation of the St. George’s Resort Act 2018, the Development and Planning Act 1974 and the Bermuda Plan 2018. The purpose of which was to do just this in providing complimentary legal and/or customary restrictions on use and development within the surrounding area of the Town to give an added layer of protection. 

Mr. Speaker, while the report is positive overall, there are some other matters we can and will improve on. UNESCO recommends forty (40) different items that the Government should consider to bolster our World Heritage Site status. Currently, we are reviewing these recommendations on how to act on each item. And of course, consultation will occur with various stakeholders outside the Government who participate in the Town’s strategic direction including those in business, heritage, and environmental spheres amongst others – many of which have already been provided with the report prior to this statement today. 

Mr. Speaker, thanks are given to the team of technical officers in both the Government of Bermuda specifically Mrs. Victoria Corderio – Director of Planning, Ms. Jessica Dill – Heritage Officer and Mr. Kenneth Campbell – Senior Planner. Thanks, are also given to our U.K. counterparts (Ms. Alexandra Warr and Mr. Henry Reed) who collaborated diligently with the Advisory Mission team and others to fully contextualise the local matters to ensure all possible preconceived notions and/or misunderstandings were addressed. 

Mr. Speaker, additional thanks are given to our stakeholders such as the Corporation of St. George’s, area MPs and heritage organisations for being a part of this process. 

Mr. Speaker, the World Heritage Site designation is internationally recognised, and we are thankful that UNESCO has provided their opinions on our Historic Town of St. George’s, and we look forward to further improving the Historic Town and related fortifications. 

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.