Cultural, natural heritages lead way to shared future

At a time when the world is facing a host of challenges, ranging from climate change to violent conflicts, it is important to remember that humanity has a shared past and should continue to work for a shared future, a United Nations official said.

Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, said the inscription of World Heritage sites serves as a reminder of this shared responsibility, because it demonstrates the commitment of member states to jointly preserve such sites.

"Heritage is our legacy from the past — what we live with today and what we pass on to future generations," Khan told China Daily in an exclusive interview.