Education Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy says with an increase in urbanization it has become necessary to urgently protect the worlds’ resources.

Experts from international, regional and national organisations are meeting in Suva to discuss the Pacific World Heritage Action Plan for 2016 to 2020 the second to be designed following on the 2010-2015 Action Plan.

Speaking at the meeting Dr Reddy urged the experts to make use of the opportunity and discuss the diversity of our cultural heritage.

Twelve Pacific Island countries have ratified or acceded to the World Heritage Convention, nine of whom have submitted tentative lists and seven properties from the Pacific Islands to be on the World Heritage List.

The meeting ends on Friday.