25 September 2026
UNESCO World Heritage Plaque unveiling at Ploegsteert Memorial
Photo: Eric Compernolle BEM
The first of seven UNESCO World Heritage plaque unveiling ceremonies took place at the CWGC Ploegsteert Memorial and Berks Cemetery Extension, Belgium on 24 September 2026.
Jointly organised by the CWGC and the City of Comines-Warneton, the event brought together representatives of UNESCO, diplomatic representatives, local and regional authorities, remembrance organisations, members of the local community, schoolchildren and CWGC colleagues from across the organisation.
Photos: Eric Compernolle BEM
The programme featured speeches by Alice Leeuwerck, Mayor of Comines-Warneton, Yves Rouyet, President of the Belgian French-speaking and German-speaking UNESCO Commission, and CWGC Area Director Xavier Puppinck, who also lit the CWGC Torch for Peace.
Photos: Eric Compernolle BEM
In the weeks leading up to the ceremony, local schoolchildren explored themes of war, remembrance and peace producing drawings inspired by what they had learned. During the event, these drawings were attached to seven easels representing the seven other CWGC sites in Comines-Warneton included in the UNESCO World Heritage inscription.
Upcoming unveilings will be taking place at the following CWGC sites:
• Tyne Cot Cemetery and Commonwealth Memorial (Zonnebeke) (6 October 2026)
• Lone Tree Cemetery (Heuvelland) (14 October 2026)
• Essex Farm Cemetery (Ieper) (23 October 2026)
• Nieuwpoort Memorial (Nieuwpoort) (29 October 2026)
• Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery (Poperinge) (4 November 2026)
• Saint-Symphorien German and Commonwealth Military Cemetery (Mons) (10 November 2026)
Beyond Inscription – The Future of Sites of Memory: CWGC-UNESCO World Heritage Inscription Conference, Paris
This conference brings together partners and experts to explore the future stewardship of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Memory.
While in-person attendance is by invitation only, CWGC recognises that these shared places of memory matter to many more people beyond the room.
The live stream is available so wider audiences can join the conversation and follow this important moment as it unfolds.
When and where
Join us online via Zoom at 9:00 CET on Thursday, 1 October 2026.