The fortieth German UNESCO World Heritage site is in the city of Hamburg on the River Elbe. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has included the Speicherstadt and Kontorhausviertel with the Chilehaus building in its World Heritage List of cultural properties, thus recognising the site’s extraordinary universal value.

I would like to congratulate the people of Hamburg on this outstanding achievement. I am very pleased that the Hanseatic town’s endeavours to protect and conserve its cultural heritage have now been recognised internationally by this prestigious organisation.

These endeavours stand for the open-mindedness that has always characterised the city of Hamburg. Its port is the epitome of Germany’s long tradition of trade and commerce. This Hanseatic town has always been Germany’s gateway to the world. Its warehouses and office buildings are globally unique monuments that made architectural history and stand for the pride and success of this international city.

I am certain that the inclusion of this impressive cultural heritage site in the World Heritage List will help to strengthen Germany’s role as a responsible partner in the United Nations and UNESCO. This status stands for international cooperation on protecting and conserving world heritage.

I firmly believe that the responsibility that goes hand in hand with UNESCO World Heritage List status will resonate far beyond Hamburg and be used as a role model in other places.

I am also pleased that another German Hanseatic town has now been added to the World Heritage List – Hamburg joins Lübeck, Stralsund, Wismar and Bremen.