UNESCO Voices Concerns Over NagaCorp Resort in Siem Reap Affecting Angkor Wat

• 19 February 2021
• Local News
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UNESCO has voiced concerns that the US$350-million ‘non-casino resort’ by NagaCorp could cause negative impacts on the World Heritage site of Angkor Wat, although the firm claimed the site location is outside the protected zone.

UNESCO issued a statement on 17 February stating that the plenary session of the International Coordinating Committee for Angkor (ICC) addressed this project with particular attention, and the technical opinions of experts in the fields of conservation and sustainable development were clearly unfavourable to it.

“The proximity of the site, the scale, scope and concept of the planned activities could indeed have an impact on the area including its setting, the surrounding landscape, the environment and the archaeological remains, all of which are an integral part of this World Heritage property,” read the statement.

UNESCO also stated that they will continue to closely monitor the project, of which this issue could be brought to discuss in the 44th World Heritage Committee session in June-July 2021.

Announced by the NagaCorp in November last, the project is claimed to be a non-casino resort, consisting of hotels, a water theme park, indoor hi-tech theme parks, a canal and water cruise attractions, meeting, conferences and exhibitions facilities (MICE), cultural attractions, food streets and pubs. (Read more)

NagaCorp also claimed that the project will be built on an area of 75 hectares, which located outside the projected zone.

According to the firm, the new development will be completed by 2025.

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