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Headlines in Europe have celebrated Carnac and the Morbihan coast’s recent inscription as UNESCO World Heritage sites. But a quieter, arguably more significant victory was unfolding at the same time in Madagascar. Earlier this month, the island nation had its Atsinanana rainforests removed from UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger, ending a nearly two-decade struggle and marking notable progress in environmental governance.

In a world where international accolades are often seen as the ultimate goal, Madagascar’s achievement shows that sometimes the most important recognition comes from overcoming deep-rooted challenges rather than collecting new honours.

A long road to safety

The six rainforests of Atsinanana (Marojejy, Masoala, Zahamena, Ranomafana, Andringitra, and Andohahela) were first designated a World Heritage site in 2007 because of their extraordinary biodiversity and high number of endemic species. They are home to endangered lemurs, rare amphibians and birds, and unique flora found nowhere else on Earth. But by 2010, the site had been placed on the “in danger” list, after illegal logging surged in the aftermath of political instability. Rosewood and ebony, highly prized on international markets, were extracted at unsustainable rates. Protected areas were raided; wildlife trafficking increased, and enforcement systems collapsed.

Being on the World Heritage list is usually framed as a badge of honour, but obtaining the “in danger” designation is very different. It is a warning, indicating a systemic failure of enforcement and stewardship. For countries already facing economic and political stress, this label can damage reputations, discourage investment, and undermine domestic confidence.

Getting a site removed from the danger list is not a simple matter of drafting a better policy or running a few workshops. It requires sustained political commitment, long-term planning, and the ability to rebuild local trust, something which makes Madagascar’s achievement all the more striking.

Strong national leadership

While international support from partners such as UNESCO and the World Bank was important, the core driver of Madagascar’s recovery effort was national resolve. The Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD), Madagascar National Parks, and local authorities introduced stronger frameworks to control forest exploitation. Protected area surveillance was increased, anti-poaching patrols were restructured, and penalties for illegal logging were made clearer and more enforceable.

Just as importantly, the strategy extended beyond forest boundaries. The government invested in reforestation and ecological restoration, with satellite data showing significant gains in forest cover. But it also focused on tackling the social and economic drivers of environmental degradation. In rural communities near the protected areas, youth were trained in ecotourism, fish farming, and sustainable agriculture. Infrastructure investments — including a new dam and irrigation systems — enabled triple harvests on rehabilitated land, improving livelihoods and easing pressure on forests.

At the international level, Madagascar’s diplomatic and technical coordination was notable. The Ministry of Culture helped prepare the case file submitted to UNESCO, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs activated diplomatic channels in support of the outcome. And at the 47th UNESCO General Assembly in Paris, a high-level Malagasy delegation, led by Minister Max Andonirina Fontaine, presented the government’s results with evidence of on-the-ground progress.

The initiative is part of a broader vision set out by President Andry Rajoelina, who has made the protection of Madagascar’s natural heritage and biodiversity a national priority. His administration has increasingly linked environmental governance to national development, positioning conservation as a pillar of economic recovery and international credibility.

Speaking after the decision, Max Fontaine said, “For Madagascar, this decision is more than a technical or political ruling. It represents a true acknowledgment of the government’s efforts over the past decade. First and foremost, it began with political will at the highest level. President Andry Rajoelina prioritized biodiversity conservation. This commitment then translated into strategy, and that strategy into concrete actions… It has been a long journey, requiring genuine political courage. That is why we can now speak of recognition; it is a huge relief for the Malagasy government.”

The removal from the danger list also carries geopolitical weight. It signals to funders and NGOs that Madagascar can deliver. The country has often struggled to attract long-term investment in environmental projects–but this success may help reframe perceptions, showing that national authorities are capable of leading complex, multi-stakeholder environmental initiatives — a point President Rajoelina and his ministers have been keen to emphasize.

A broader movement

Madagascar was not alone. In the same session, UNESCO removed two other African sites from the danger list — Abu Mena in Egypt and the Old Town of Ghadamès in Libya. Each case differs — Abu Mena faced threats from rising groundwater, and Ghadamès from conflict and climate — but together they send a powerful signal. At a time when heritage sites in Africa and the Middle East are under siege from war, urban sprawl, and environmental shocks, these removals show that progress is possible when political will and international cooperation align.

The shift is also part of a broader evolution within UNESCO. Director-General Audrey Azoulay called the removals a “great victory,” noting that the organisation is placing special emphasis on heritage protection in Africa — and that those efforts are beginning to deliver results.

For African nations often treated as passive recipients of aid or attention, this moment reframes the narrative. These are not stories of external rescue, but of domestic capacity, policy innovation, and resilience.

Important implications

UNESCO designations are more than symbolic. They influence tourism flows, attract development aid, shape national identities, and drive local economic opportunities. According to UNESCO data, World Heritage status can boost tourism by up to 20%, especially in ecologically unique areas. In Madagascar, where ecotourism is one of the country’s most promising but underdeveloped sectors, the potential is considerable.

President Andry Rajoelina’s administration has emphasized this point repeatedly: heritage protection must also create jobs and strengthen local economies. The removal of Atsinanana from the danger list is expected to help Madagascar attract new partnerships, boost tourism revenues, and build stronger links between conservation and community development. For a country where over 75% of the population lives on less than $2 a day, this linkage is critical.

Madagascar’s achievement is not just about restoring a forest. It is about proving that conservation can be part of a national growth strategy. Madagascar has done what few countries in its position have managed to do: reverse environmental decline, regain credibility, and reclaim agency over its environmental narrative.

 

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