- What? Inauguration of the exhibition ‘Heritages and Contributions of Africa to the Progress of Humanity’
- When? Thursday 17 September 2026, 6:00 p.m. (Doors open at 5:45 p.m.)
- Where? UNESCO Headquarters, 7 Place de Fontenoy, Paris
- Accreditation: Please register here
The opening ceremony will include opening remarks by:
Mr Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO;
H.E. the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Angola to UNESCO, representing the host country and co-organizer of the Biennale of Luanda;
H.E. the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Senegal to UNESCO, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Africa Group at UNESCO.
These opening remarks will be followed by the official opening of the exhibition and an informal tour led by historian Amzat Boukari-Yabara, curator of the exhibition and contributor to the latest volume of the General History of Africa, in the presence of African Permanent Delegations and UNESCO representatives.
Through a historical and Pan-African journey, the exhibition highlights the contributions of Africa and its diasporas to the history and progress of humanity. At the heart of the exhibition is the General History of Africa, one of UNESCO’s major scientific projects. With the recent publication of Volumes IX, X and XI, the General History of Africa continues its ambition to redefine our understanding of African history from African perspectives, while also making this knowledge available to new generations. The exhibition also highlights how a deeper understanding of history helps to building and foster of a culture of peace and non-violence.
Through archival documents, photographs, maps, publications, iconography and audiovisual rescientific traditions, the civilizations of Aksum and Great Zimbabwe, the Haitian Revolution, Pan-African movements, African independence movements and the struggle against apartheid
This initiative also represents an important milestone ahead of the 4th edition of the Biennale of Luanda – Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence, which will take place in Angola on 22 and 23 October 2026. The exhibition itself was conceived as part of this broader momentum.
The exhibition will be open to the public at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from 17 to 22 September 2026.
Press contact
- Alaaddin SAGIR,a.sagir@unesco.org, +33145680381
