4. The Committee elected Mr Henrik Lilius (Finland) as Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee and Mr Francisco Lopez Morales (Mexico) as Rapporteur. The Vice-Presidents elected were: Egypt, Greece, Hungary, South Africa and Thailand.
The 6th extraordinary session of the World Heritage Committee was opened by Mr Tamás Fejérdy, (Hungary) Chairperson on 17 March 2003 at UNESCO Headquarters. He welcomed Mr Koïchiro Matsuura the Director-General of UNESCO and the 21 members of the Committee: Argentina, Belgium, China, Colombia, Egypt, Finland, Greece, Hungary, India, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Oman, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, South Africa, Thailand, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Zimbabwe4.
73 States Parties to the World Heritage Convention who are not members of ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Noting the invitation it has received to attend the information meeting on the Draft Declaration concerning the Intentional Destruction of Cultural Heritage to be held on 18 March from 10 to 12 a.m;
Decides to cancel its session planned at the same time as the information meeting to allow those delegations who wish to participate in that meeting to do so;
Noting the linkages between agenda items 3, 4, 5 and 6 of its extraordinary session ;
Decides to work in plenary to the extent possible;
Adopts the Agenda and Timetable as presented in WHC-03/6 ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Adopts the Rules of Procedure as revised by the World Heritage Committee and included as Annex II to this document.
Decides that it enter immediately into effect, with the exception of Rule 13.1. and for which the following transition provisions will be used:
At the beginning of its 27th ordinary session (Suzhou, June/July 2003), the World Heritage Committee will elect a Bureau whose term will start at that session until the opening of the 28th ordinary session of the Committee (June 2004);
At the beginning of its 28th ordinary session (June/July ...
6 EXT.COM 4
Policy and legal issues concerning inscription of properties on the List of Lorld Leritage in Danger and the potential deletion of properties from the World Heritage List
The World Heritage Committee,
Decides to maintain in the revised Operational Guidelines existing text from the July 2002 Operational Guidelines concerning:
reactive monitoring (paragraph 68),
the development of a programme of corrective measures (paragraphs 22, 46b, 86, 87 and 89),
inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger (paragraphs 80-93) and,
possible deletion from the World Heritage List (paragraphs 46-56).
Requests the World Heritage Centre to re-order the text in the revised Operational Guidelines to ensure a logical and consistent presentation of the ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Taking note of the proposal by the Belgian Delegation (presented in Figure 1 of document WHC-02/CONF.202/15) for the preparation of a compilation of World Heritage Basic Texts like the Basic Texts of UNESCO and of the positive comments on this proposal received from States Parties in responses to Circular Letter CL/WHC.12/02 concerning the revision of the Rules of Procedure;
Requests the World Heritage Centre, to prepare an outline and publication plan (including budget) for a compilation of World Heritage Basic Texts in English and French (to include the ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Taking into account the proposal made by the World Heritage Centre to prepare a handbook on the World Heritage Convention similar to the Handbook on the Convention of Biological Diversity presented during the 26th ordinary session of the Committee, Budapest, 2002 (document WHC-02/CONF.202/15, section VII, paragraphe 36);
Invites the World Heritage Centre, in consultation with interested States Parties and the Advisory Bodies, to develop an outline, publication plan (including budget and potential publisher) and a proposal for financing a Handbook on the ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Requests the World Heritage Centre to ensure that all future publications of the World Heritage List indicate the criteria according to which properties were inscribed on the List using the new numbering system for the combined criteria (i) to (x).
The World Heritage Committee,
Decides that the proposed World Heritage Visual Identity will not be included on the agenda for the 27th session of the World Heritage Committee (Suzhou, June/July 2003).
6 EXT.COM 5.1
Revision Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Thanking the Drafting Group and all other experts, representatives of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, the Advisory Bodies and the World Heritage Centre for work accomplished to date on the revision of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention;
2. Taking note of the Report of the March 2002 Drafting Group on the Revision of the Operational Guidelines presented as document WHC-03/6 EXT.COM/INF.5A;
3. Considering that the 3rd Draft Revised Operational Guidelines presented in document WHC-03/6 ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Welcomes the proposed structure which reflects the Strategic Objectives adopted by the Committee at its 26th ordinary session (Budapest, 2002) and that it is coherent with the structure of the budget proposed in the Draft Programme and Budget of UNESCO, 2004-2005 (32 C/5);
Thanks the Working group and the World Heritage Centre for their constructive and collaborative proposal for a new budget structure of the World Heritage Fund;
Adopts the revised Budget Structure consisting of Tables 1, 2 and 3 and Attachments 1 to 5, and included as Annex III to this ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Takes note of the list of all nominations received by the World Heritage Centre between 28 January 2002 and 1 February 2003 as presented in document WHC-03/6 EXT.COM/7 Rev;
Decides that the 32 new nominations determined by the World Heritage Centre to be complete by 1 February 2003 and four additional nominations for which the Centre had asked for guidance from the Committee be transmitted to the Advisory Bodies for evaluation.
Requests the World Heritage Centre to assist States Parties who have submitted incomplete nominations to make them complete for ...
6 EXT.COM 8.1
The World Heritage Committee,
Adopts the decisions presented in document WHC-03/6 EXT.COM/8, with amendments as agreed;
6 EXT.COM 8.2
The World Heritage Committee,
Takes note of the draft Summary Record of the 6th extraordinary session of the World Heritage Committee prepared as information document WHC-03/6 EXT.COM/INF.8 ;
Requests the participants to send corrections to their own statements in writing to the World Heritage Centre by Friday, 28 March ...
The 6th extraordinary session of the World Heritage Committee was closed on 22 March 2003 by the Chairperson, Mr Tamás Fejérdy (Hungary). He thanked the Committee for its work, all those who had participated, prepared and organised the session, underscoring the important outcomes. He also thanked the Spanish authorities for providing interpretation into Spanish.
Finally, the Chairperson made reference to the ongoing war in Iraq. Recalling the Committee's responsibilities to follow the situation closely, he assured the Committee that he and the World Heritage Centre would keep them ...
The World Heritage Committee,1. Having examined Document WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/2,2. Taking into consideration Rule 8 (Observers) of its Rules of Procedure,3. Notes the List of Participants listed in Annex I;4. Authorises the participation in its 7th extraordinary session as observers of the representatives of the international governmental Organizations (IGOs), international non-governmental Organizations (INGOs), nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs), permanent observer missions to UNESCO and non profit-making institutions having activities in the fields covered by the World Heritage ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Documents WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/3A.Rev and WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/INF.3A.Rev,
2. Adopts the agenda included in the first above-mentioned document.
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/3B.Rev,
Decides to discuss item 11 of the agenda between items 4 and 5, as recommended by the Bureau;
Adopts the timetable included in above-mentioned document, as amended.
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Documents WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/3C and WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/INF.3C and WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/INF.3C.Add
Takes note with satisfaction of the Report of the Rapporteur of its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004).
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/4 A,
Also noting the oral presentation by the Chairperson of its 27th session (UNESCO, 2003), I. TENTATIVE LISTS
Reminds the States Parties to the Convention about the need to continue submitting their Tentative Lists in accordance with Article 11.1 of the Convention and the corresponding provisions of the Operational Guidelines ;
Requests the Director of the World Heritage Centre, in consultation with the State Parties concerned, to continue updating its records on the basis of the Tentative Lists received – in ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Documents WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/4B and WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/4B.Add,
2. Recalling Decisions 28 COM 13.1 and 28 COM 14B.57, adopted at its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004),
3. Confirms that the two complete nominations per State Party referred to in paragraph 17 a) of Decision 28 COM 13.1 are inclusive of nominations deferred and referred by previous sessions of the Committee, extensions (except minor modifications of limits of the properties), transboundary nominations and serial nominations; 4. Recalls its decision at its 6th Extraordinary session ...
The World Heritage Committee:
1. Having examined Document WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/4B,
2. Recalling Decision 28 COM 13.1, adopted at its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004)
3. Decides that the Special Meeting of Experts referred to in paragraph 13 of Decision 28 COM 13.1 shall take place in Kazan, as offered by the Russian Federation and thanks the Russian authorities for their offer;
4. Decides that the Special Meeting mentioned above will take place from 6 to 9 April 2005;
5. Requests the World Heritage Centre to prepare a background paper collecting as much as possible relevant information ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Documents WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/4B .and WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/4B.Add,
Decides that the Working group on the methods of work of the Committee established at its 7th extraordinary session shall complete its mandate at its 29th session (Durban, 2005).
Having examined Documents WHC-04/7EXT.COM/5A, WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/5B, WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/5C, WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/5D, and WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/5E,
Aware of the need to:
study and reflect on the first cycle of Periodic Reporting;
develop strategic direction on the forms and the format of the Periodic Reports, training priorities and international cooperation priorities; and
to streamline the Committee's consideration of matters raised through Periodic Reporting relating to inscribed properties;
Decides to suspend for one year the commencement of the next cycle of Periodic ...
7 EXT.COM 5A.1
Progress report on the preparation of the Periodic Report for Europe and North America
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/5A,
Recalling its Decision 25 COM VII.25-27 at its 25th session (Helsinki, 2001) to examine at its 29th session (Durban, 2005), the Periodic Report for North America,
Notes the report on the progress of such Periodic Report.
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/5A,
2. Recalling its Decision 25 COM VII.25-27 at its 25th session (Helsinki, 2001) to examine Section I of the Periodic Report for Europe at its 29th session (Durban, 2005), and Section II at its 30th session (2006),
3. Notes the report on the progress of the Periodic Report for Europe.
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/5B,
Recalling its Decisions 24 COM VII.1-4 and 27 COM 20B.I, adopted at its 24th session (Cairns, 2000) and its 27th session (UNESCO, 2003), respectively,
Takes note of the progress made in the implementation of the Regional Programme for the Arab States and in responding to the priority needs identified in the Periodic Report for the Arab States;
Thanks the Dutch Government for supporting the publication of such Periodic Report;
Requests the Director of the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Documents WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/5C and WHC-04/7 EXT.COM/INF.11,
2. Recalling its Decision 26 COM 20, adopted at its 26th session (Budapest, 2002),
3. Notes with satisfaction the progress made in the implementation of the recommendations of the Periodic Report for Africa;
4. Thanks the Italian Government for its prompt and generous contribution to the implementation of the first session of Modules II & III of the Africa Regional Programme 2004-2007, as well as the governments and institutions detailed in the Annex for their contribution ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined the technical cooperation assistance request made by India regarding an improved geographic information system (GIS) for Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), as presented in Documents WHC-04/7EXT.COM/6 and WHC-04/7EXT.COM/6 Add,
Noting that, in accordance with Decision 28 COM 10A, four requests for technical cooperation will be submitted to the Chairperson/Committee in 2005, for a total amount of US$ 104,915,
Considering that only an amount of US$ 160,000 is available for cultural properties under technical cooperation assistance in the ...
Sites: Mountain Railways of India
The World Heritage Committee
1. Having examined Documents WHC-04/7EXT.COM/8 and WHC -
04/7EXT.COM/INF.8,
2. Takes note of the information included in such documents.
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Documents WHC-04/7 EXT COM/14, and WHC-04/7 EXT COM/14.Corr,
Recalling Decision 26 COM 15, adopted at its 26th session (Budapest, 2002),
Regrets that the World Heritage Emblem was not protected as had been requested;
Takes note of the Annual Report on the use of the World Heritage Emblem included in Document WHC-04/7 EXT COM/14;
Urges the Director of the World Heritage Centre, in consultation with the Office of Legal Affairs of UNESCO, to request the World Intellectual Property Organization to amend its initial communication under ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-11/10EXT.COM/2,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
The World Heritage Committee,
Recalling its Decision 35 COM 18, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),
Elects Malaysia as Vice-Chairperson of the 36th session of the World Heritage Committee whose mandate will be until the end of the 36th session of the Committee (June/July 2012);
Elects Ms Beatriz Hernandez, Mexico, as Rapporteur of the 36th session of the World Heritage Committee, whose mandate will be until the end of the 36th session of the Committee (June/July ...
11 EXT.COM 2
Adoption of the Agenda of the 11th extraordinary session of the World Heritage Committee
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-15/11EXT.COM/2,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
The World Heritage Committee,
Recalling its Decision 39 COM 17, adopted at its 39th session (Bonn, 2015),
Elects the United Republic of Tanzania as Vice-Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee whose mandate will be until the end of the 40th session of the Committee (July 2016).
No Decision.
The World Heritage Committee,1. Having examined Document WHC/17/12EXT.COM/2,2. Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
The World Heritage Committee,1. Recalling its Decision 41 COM 16, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),2. Elects in accordance with Rule 13.1 of the Rules of Procedure, its Bureau with the following composition:
Chairperson: H.E. Sheikha Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa (Bahrein)
Vice-Chairpersons: Azerbaijan, Brazil, China, Spain, Zimbabwe
Rapporteur: Ms Anna Zeichner (Hungary)
whose mandates will begin at the end of the 12th Extraordinary session of the Committee (UNESCO, 2017) until the end of the 42nd session of the Committee (2018);3. Decides that the Bureau of the 43rd session ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC/17/12EXT.COM/4,
Decides to approve the International Assistance request from Palau entitled “Responding to the threat of feral cat introduction to the Rock Island Southern Lagoon World Heritage area”, for an amount of US$ 139,505 under the Emergency Assistance budget.
Sites: Rock Islands Southern Lagoon
The World Heritage Committee,1. Having examined Document WHC/19/13EXT.COM/2,2. Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
The World Heritage Committee,1. Recalling its Decision 43 COM 16, adopted at its 43rd session (Baku, 2019),2. Elects Guatemala as Vice-Chairperson of the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee whose mandate will begin at the end of its 13th extraordinary session (UNESCO, 2019) and will continue until the end of its 44th session (Fuzhou, 2020).
5. In his opening address, the representative of the Director-General, Mr Mounir Bouchenaki, Assistant Director-General for Culture, spoke of the incontestable success of the World Heritage Convention. He welcomed the Kingdom of Bhutan, Samoa and Eritrea as new signatories to the Convention. The Convention would have 167 States Parties by the end of 2001. He stated that this achievement of near universality proved that the world attached special importance to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage. 6. Mr Bouchenaki advised the General Assembly that Mr Peter King (Australia) had ...
14. The General Assembly elected by acclamation H.E Ambassador Samuel Fernandéz Illanes (Chile) as Chairperson of the General Assembly.
15. The Chairperson thanked the General Assembly for his election and commented on the tremendous importance of the World Heritage Convention.
16. The Delegate of Algeria congratulated the Chairperson on his election and welcomed the three new States Parties to the Convention. He then asked that the representative of Palestine be accepted as an observer to the 13th General Assembly. The Delegates of Cuba, the Republic of Dominica, Egypt, the Republic of ...
19. The Delegate of France questioned the procedures used to elect the Chairperson of the General Assembly whereby there was no consultation prior to the session. He proposed that this issue and Rule 3 of the Rules of Procedure be discussed under Item 11: Other business. He also suggested that candidates for Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Rapporteur could be called for in advance and that all States Parties be informed.
20. The Delegate of the United States of America agreed with the proposal made by the Delegate of France and also commented that in future the General Assembly needed ...
24. The Chairperson invited the General Assembly to choose three Vice-Chairpersons and a Rapporteur. Mr Boubaker Ben Fraj, Director General of the National Institute for Heritage of Tunisia and Ms Sandra Kalniete, Ambassador of Latvia to UNESCO were appointed as Vice-Chairpersons by acclamation. A third Vice-Chairperson was not appointed. Mrs Deanna Ongpin-Recto (Philippines) was appointed as Rapporteur by acclamation.
25. The Chairperson of the General Assembly referred to document 31C/REP.15 Report by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage on its Activities (2000-2001). He explained that the World Heritage Committee, at its sixteenth session held in December 1992 in Santa Fe, United States of America, recommended that the report which the Committee addressed to the General Conference also be presented to the General Assembly of States Parties.
26. Dr Christina Cameron (Canada), Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee presented the report of ...
13 GA 44-47
Examination of the statement of accounts of the World Heritage Fund, including the status of the States Parties' contributions
44. In conformity with the Financial Rules of the World Heritage Fund, the representative of the Comptroller presented for examination by the General Assembly, document WHC-2001/CONF.206/3a which contained:
the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period 1998-1999, certified by the auditors within the framework of the UNESCO General Audit; and
the Fund accounts for the year 2000 approved by the Comptroller and which will be part of the external audit for the financial period 2000-2001.
45. He explained each one of the financial statements and tables contained in ...
48. The representative of the Bureau of the Comptroller presented the documents WHC-2001/CONF.206/3b and WHC-2001/CONF.206/3b.Add, containing the compulsory and voluntary contributions to the World Heritage Fund as at 30 September and revised as at 22 October 2001. He indicated that the state of compulsory and voluntary contributions would be updated for the next session of the Committee in Helsinki in December 2001.
49. The Delegate of Thailand referred to the last page of document WHC-2001/CONF.206/3b, State of contributions as at 31 August 2001, and requested clarification regarding ...
13 GA 52
Determination of the amount of the contributions to the World Heritage Fund in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 of the World Heritage Convention
52. The Chairperson presented the document WHC-2001/CONF.206/4 to the General Assembly for a decision as to whether the level of compulsory contributions to the World Heritage Fund should be maintained at 1% of the amount of contributions of States Parties to the Regular Budget of UNESCO, in accordance with Article 16, paragraph 1 of the Convention, inline with the decision of previous General Assemblies. The General Assembly took note of the document and unanimously approved this proposal.
13 GA 53-73
Representivity of the World Heritage List (follow-up to the Resolution adopted by the twelfth General Assembly of States Parties)
53. The Chairperson referred to document WHC-2001/CONF.206/5 and requested the General Assembly to take note of the decision of the World Heritage Committee at its twenty-fourth session in Cairns 2000.
54. The Director of the World Heritage Centre recalled that a Resolution had been adopted by the 12th General Assembly concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage. Furthermore, he acknowledged the work of the Working Group that was chaired by H.E. Ambassador Yai (Benin) in 2000 whose mandate was to make recommendations, based on the Resolution, towards improving ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC/20/14EXT.COM/2,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
The World Heritage Committee,
Decides to suspend Rule 2.1 of its Rules of Procedure.
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC/20/14.EXT.COM/4,
Recalling the extreme exceptional circumstances that prevailed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide,
Also recalling Decision COM/BUR.1.3 by which the Bureau of the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee, taking into account the prevailing sanitary situation worldwide, including travel restrictions, considered that the conditions for a session of the World Heritage Committee in 2020 were not met,
Decides to hold an extended 44th session in June/July 2021 in Fuzhou (China);
Also decides that ...
The General Assembly, 1. Elected H.E. Mr Ahmad Jalali (Islamic Republic of Iran) as Chairperson of the 14th General Assembly, 2. Elected Ms Alissandra Cummins (Barbados) as Rapporteur of the 14th General Assembly, 3. Elected France, Nigeria, and Uganda as Vice-Chairpersons of the 14th General Assembly.
The General Assembly, 1. Decides to amend Rule 2.1 of its Rules of Procedure to read:
2.1 The representatives of Member States of UNESCO not parties to the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural heritage and permanent observer missions to UNESCO may participate in the work of the Assembly as observers, without the right to vote, and subject to Rule 7.3.
The General Assembly, 1. Decides to amend Rule 10.1 of its Rules of Procedure to read:
10.1 The working languages of the Assembly shall be Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
14 GA 4.1
New voting mechanism and revision of procedures for election of the members of the World Herittage Committee
The General Assembly, 1. Taking into consideration the decision of the 27th session of the World Heritage Committee on the new voting mechanism and revision of the procedures for election of the members of the World Heritage Committee (decision 27 COM 18A.4), 2. Decides not to amend Rule 13 of its Rules of Procedure on the election of members of the World Heritage Committee.
14 GA 4.2
New voting mechanism and revision of procedures for election of the members of the World Herittage Committee
The General Assembly, 1. Noting the decision of the 27th session of the World Heritage Committee on procedures for the presentation of candidatures to the World Heritage Committee (decision 27 COM 18A.2), 2. Decides to include the following text as new Rule 13 - Procedures for the presentation of candidatures to the World Heritage Committee[1] :
13.1 The Secretariat shall ask all States Parties, at least three months prior to the opening of the General Assembly, whether they intend to stand for election to the World Heritage Committee. If so, its candidature should be sent to the ...
14 GA 5
Report of the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee on the activities of the World Heritage Committee
The General Assembly, 1. Having examined the financial situation of the World Heritage Fund and the contribution of UNESCO to the activities of the World Heritage Centre as planned in the 32 C/5, 2. Recognizing the need to increase the financial resources from the UNESCO Regular Budget for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, 3. Recalling Decision 27 COM 11 of the World Heritage Committee at its 27th session (Paris, 2003), 4. Recalling its wish that the 32nd General Conference allocate an additional US$ 1 million for activities directed at the implementation of the World ...
14 GA 6
Examination of the statement of accounts of the World Heritage Fund, including the status of the States Parties' contributions
The General Assembly, 1. Having examined the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ending 31 December 2001 (see Section I of document WHC-03/14.GA/INF.6) in conformity with the Financial Regulations of the World Heritage Fund that stipulate that the accounts of the Fund shall be submitted to the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention (Article 6, paragraph 6.4), 2. Approves the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ending 31 December 2001; 3. Takes note of the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for 2002, approved by the ...
The General Assembly,
1. Recalling Decision 27 COM 11.3 of the World Heritage Committee which urges States Parties in arrears to pay their overdue contributions to the World Heritage Fund and invites the Director-General to report to it on this matter,
2. Takes note of document WHC-03/14.GA/INF.7 Rev. on the Statement of compulsory and voluntary contributions to the World Heritage Fund.
14 GA 7.1
Determination of the amount of the contributions to the World Heritage Fund in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 of the World Heritage Convention
The General Assembly, 1. Decides to set at 1% the percentage for the calculation of the amount of the contributions to be paid to the World Heritage Fund by States Parties for the financial period 2004-2005; 2. Invites the Director-General to encourage States Parties to supplement their contributions to the World Heritage Fund with voluntary donations.
The General Assembly,
Recalling Decision 27 COM 11.3 of the World Heritage Committee which urges States Parties in arrears to pay their overdue contributions to the World Heritage Fund and invites the Director-General to report to it on this matter,
Takes note of document WHC-03/14.GA/INF.7 Rev. on the Statement of compulsory and voluntary contributions to the World Heritage Fund.
The General Assembly,
Welcomes the adoption by the 26th session of the World Heritage Committee of new Strategic Objectives that include the strengthening of the Credibility of the World Heritage List and the development of effective Capacity-building measures;
Notes the progress report on the implementation of the Global Strategy for a credible, representative and balanced World Heritage List presented in documents WHC-03/14.GA/8 and WHC-03/27.COM/13;
Also notes that the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee (Suzhou, China, June-July 2004) will evaluate the 1994 Global ...
The General Assembly,
Elects Kuwait (State Party without properties on the World Heritage List) as a member of the World Heritage Committee,
Elects the following seven States Parties as members of the World Heritage Committee: Benin, Chile, Japan, Lithuania, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Norway.
The General Assembly did not discuss any other business.
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC/21/15EXT.COM/2,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document, and decides to add an item 4 concerning the dates and place of its 45th session.
15 EXT.COM 3
Dates and modalities for the holding of the extended 44th session of the World Heritage Committee
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC/21/15.EXT.COM/3,
Recalling the extreme exceptional circumstances that prevailed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide and that still prevail in 2021,
Also recalling Decision 14 EXT.COM 4 by which it decided to hold an extended 44th session in June/July 2021 in Fuzhou (China),
Decides that the extended 44th session will be held from 16 to 31 July 2021[1];
Also decides that the extended 44th session will be held according to Format B, as described in Document WHC/21/15.EXT.COM/3, section III.B (“online session”), and ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Decides to suspend Rule 4.1 of its Rules of Procedure;
Also decides that its 45th session will take place in Kazan, Russian Federation, in June/July 2022;
Underlines that the decision of the place for the 45th session is made during the 15th extraordinary session of the Committee due to the exceptional situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and should not create a precedent to Rule 4.1 of the Rules of the Procedure.
The General Assembly,
Elects H.E. Mr Jean Guéguinou (France) as President of the 15th session of the General Assembly ;
Elects Mr Nicolas Mathieu (Switzerland) as Rapporteur of the 15th session of the General Assembly ;
Elects the Russian Federation and Namibia as Vice-Presidents of the 15th session of the General Assembly.
The President of the General Assembly declared the agenda of the session, as presented in document WHC-05/15.GA/2A, adopted.
The General Assembly,
Having examined document WHC-05/15.GA/2B,
Adopts the timetable for the elections to the World Heritage Committee as amended.
The General Assembly,
Having examined the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ending 31 December 2003 (see Section I of document WHC-05/15.GA/INF.5) in conformity with the Financial Regulations of the World Heritage Fund that stipulates that the accounts of the Fund shall be submitted to the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention (Article 6, paragraph 6.4);
Approves the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ending 31 December 2003;
Takes note of the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for 2004-2005, approved by the ...
15 GA 6.1
Determination of the amount of the contributions to the World Heritage Fund in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 of the World Heritage Convention
The General Assembly,
Decides to set at 1% of the compulsory contribution to UNESCO the percentage for the calculation of the amount of contributions to be paid to the World Heritage Fund by the States Parties for the financial period 2006-2007.
The Assembly General,
Recalling decision 29 COM 15B of the World Heritage Committee which urges States Parties in arrears to pay their overdue contributions to the World Heritage Fund and invites the Director-General to encourage the States Parties to make voluntary donations to the World Heritage Fund in addition to their contributions as well as encouraging other partners to make similar donations;
Takes note of document WHC-05/15.GA/INF.6 on the Statement of compulsory and voluntary contributions to the World Heritage ...
The General Assembly,
Having examined documents WHC-05/15.GA/7 et WHC-05/15.GA/INF.7,
Takes note of the report and warmly welcomes the Vienna Memorandum adopted by the International Conference “World Heritage and Contemporary Architecture” (Vienna, 2005);
Based on the Vienna Memorandum, adopts the Declaration on the Conservation of Historic Urban Landscapes, as amended by the General Assembly.
The General Assembly,
Having examined document WHC-05/15.GA/8,
Takes note with satisfaction of Africa’s Position Paper and encourages the implementation of its recommendations ;
Supports the creation of an African World Heritage Fund and invites the States Parties to the Convention to contribute voluntarily to this Fund.
The General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention asks the Secretariat, in cooperation with the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, to initiate a process until the General Assembly in 2007, to discuss possible alternatives to the present election system to the World Heritage Committee.
The alternative(s) presented to the General Assembly in 2007 should ensure balanced geographical and cultural representation in the Committee, a less time-consuming and less complicated voting system, and better focus on important issues in the proceedings of the General ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC/21/16EXT.COM/2,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
The World Heritage Committee,
Recalling Decision 44 COM 16, adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/Online, 2021),
Elects Italy as Vice-Chairperson of the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, whose mandate will begin at the end of the 16th extraordinary session of the Committee (UNESCO, 2021) and will continue until the end of the 45th session of the Committee (Kazan, 2022);
Elects Argentina as Vice-Chairperson of the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, whose mandate will begin at the end of the 16th extraordinary session of the Committee (UNESCO, 2021) and ...
The General Assembly,
Elects H. Exc. Mrs Aziza BENNANI (Morocco) as Chairperson of the 16th General Assembly;
Elects Raymond ASOMBANG (Cameroon) as Rapporteur of the 16th General Assembly;
Elects Austria and Japan as Vice-Chairpersons of the 16th General Assembly.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-07/16.GA/2A and WHC-07/16.GA/INF.2A
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned document.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-07/16.GA/2B,
Adopts the timetable for the elections to the World Heritage Committee presented in the above-mentioned document.
16 GA 3A.1
Elections to the World Heritage Committee - Reflection on election procedures of World Heritage Committee members and on the distribution of seats to ensure an equitable representation of the different Regions and Cultures of the World
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-07/16.GA/3A and WHC-07/16.GA/INF.3A,
Recalling Resolution 15 GA 9, adopted at its 15th session (UNESCO, 2005), requesting to initiate a “process to discuss possible alternatives to the existing system of elections to the World Heritage Committee ” before its 16th session,
Keeping in mind the discussions held during the 31st session of the World Heritage Committee (Christchurch, 2007) and during the 16th session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention (UNESCO, 2007),
Reiterating the need to ensure a more ...
The General Assembly,
Decides to amend the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention as follows (new text proposed in bold):
New Rule 12.5 :
Subject to Rule 14.1, voting shall normally be either by a show of hands or by electronic means with each Member’s vote displayed on a screen.
The General Assembly,
Elects Barbados, as member of the World Heritage Committee on the reserved seat for State Parties without properties on the World Heritage List;
Elects as members of the World Heritage Committee, the following eight States ...
16 GA 4
Report of the Intergovernmental Committee for the protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage on its activities (2006-2007)
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document 34C/REP/13,
Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee on the World Heritage Committee’s activities in 2006-2007.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-07/16.GA/5,
Taking note of Decision 31 COM 19, adopted at the 31st session of the World Heritage Committee (Christchurch, 2007),
Takes note of the results-based Action Plan to implement the main recommendations of the Management Audit of the World Heritage Centre;
Welcomes the proposals of the Director-General of UNESCO to improve the administrative flexibility of the World Heritage Centre, clarify its organizational structure, and create posts, on an experimental basis, by combining multiple sources of financing;
Requests the ...
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-07/16.GA/6,
Requests the World Heritage Centre, in cooperation with the Advisory Bodies, to report at its 17th session in 2009, on the progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the 2007 Management Audit, in relation to the work and relationships with the Advisory Bodies;
Calls upon the World Heritage Committee to review the proposed protocols of roles and responsibilities indicated in the Management Audit and submit its comments on them to the General Assembly at its 17th session in ...
16 GA 7
Examination of the statement of accounts of the World Heritage Fund, including the status of the States Parties' contributions
The General Assembly
Having examined the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ending 31 December 2005 approved by the Comptroller (see Section I of the Document WHC-07/16.GA/INF.7) in conformity with the Financial Regulations of the World Heritage Fund that stipulate that the accounts of the Fund shall be submitted to the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention (Article 6, paragraph 6.4),
Approves the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ending 31 December 2005 (see Section II of the Document WHC-07/16.GA/INF.7);
Takes ...
16 GA 8.1
Determination of the amount of the contributions to the World Heritage Fund in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 of the World Heritage Convention
The General Assembly,
Decides to set at one per cent of the contribution to the regular budget of UNESCO for the calculation of the amount of the contributions to be paid to the World Heritage Fund by States Parties for the financial period 2008-2009.
The General Assembly,
Recalling Decision 31 COM 20A of the World Heritage Committee, which urges States Parties in arrears to pay their overdue contributions to the World Heritage Fund,
Encourages States Parties to make voluntary donations to the World Heritage Fund in addition to their contributions;
Takes note of Document WHC-07/16.GA/INF.8 on the Statement of compulsory and voluntary contributions to the World Heritage Fund.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-07/16.GA/9,
Takes note of the progress report on the implementation of the Global Strategy for a credible, representative and balanced World Heritage List from 2003 to 2007 presented in this document, and expresses its deep concern for the limited results achieved so far;
Calls upon the World Heritage Centre, the Advisory Bodies and other partners to significantly increase their support to States Parties, particularly in less developed countries, in the identification of cultural, natural and mixed properties as well as the ...
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-07/16.GA/10,
Recalling Decisions 30 COM 7.1 and 31 COM 7.1, adopted respectively at the 30th (Vilnius, 2006) and 31st (Christchurch, 2007) sessions of the World Heritage Committee,
Taking into account the relevant issues identified in the recent Thematic Debate of the Executive Board on UNESCO’s role in addressing climate change within its mandated areas of competence and also noting the upcoming meetings on climate change in Bali in December 2007 (Thirteenth session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 13) and the ...
16 GA 11
Report on the development of a revised recommendation on the conservation of Historic Urban Landscapes
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-07/16.GA/11,
Welcomes the information provided on the development of a revised recommendation of the conservation of historic urban landscapes;
Invites the Director-General of UNESCO to inform the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, at its 17th session in 2009, on the further activities undertaken and progress made with regard to this initiative.
16 GA 12
Other business: protection and management plans, conservation tools and promotion of World Heritage properties
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-07/16.GA/12,
Takes note of the information provided in the above-mentioned document;
Welcomes the launching of a new Series of World Heritage Resource Manuals;
Invites the Director-General of UNESCO to inform the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, at its 17th session in 2009, on the further activities undertaken and progress made with regard to the Series of World Heritage Resource Manuals;
Calls upon States Parties to cooperate with other States Parties which so request on the formulation of ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC/22/17.EXT.COM/2,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC/22/17.EXT.COM/3,
Recalling that the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, initially scheduled from 19 to 30 June 2022, was postponed by the Bureau on 21 April 2022,
Considers that the conditions to hold its 45th session in 2022, as foreseen in Decision 44 COM 16, are not met;
Decides to suspend Rule 2.1 of its Rules of Procedure for the 2022 ordinary session;
Decides to meet again in extraordinary session in the course of January 2023 to take a decision on the date, the venue and the outcome document of the ...
The General Assembly,
Elects Mr. Dawson MUNJERI, Zimbabwe, as Chairperson of the 17th General Assembly,
Elects Ms. Dagnija BALTIŅA, Latvia, as Rapporteur of the 17th General Assembly,
Elects Malaysia and Argentina as Vice-Chairpersons of the 17th General Assembly.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-09/17.GA/2A,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
17 GA 2B
Adoption of the provisional Timetable of the 17th session of the General Assembly and of the provisional Timetable for the elections to the World Heritage Committee
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-09/17.GA/2B.rev,
Adopts the timetable of the 17th session of the General Assembly.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-09/17.GA/3A and WHC-09/17.GA/INF.3A,
Recalling Resolutions 15 GA 9 and 16 GA 3A, adopted respectively at its 15th and 16th sessions, requesting to initiate a «process to discuss possible alternatives to the existing system of elections to the World Heritage Committee» and to establish an open-ended Working Group in order to make recommendations on this issue,
Noting that capacity building would enhance expertise of the States Parties and would encourage the latter to present their candidature to the Committee,
Recognizing that a ...
The General Assembly,
Elects the United Arab Emirates (State Party with no property on the World Heritage List) as a member of the World Heritage Committee;
Elects the Russian Federation (Electoral Group which might have no State Party in the composition of the next Committee) as a member of the World Heritage Committee;
Elects the following eleven States Parties as members of the World Heritage Committee: Cambodia, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Iraq, Mali, Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland and ...
17 GA 4
Report of the Intergovernmental Committee for the protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage on its activities (2008-2009)
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-09/17.GA/4,
Takes note of the report of the Intergovernmental Committee for the protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage on its activities (2008-2009).
The General Assembly,
Having examined the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ending 31 December 2007 approved by the Comptroller (Document WHC-09/17.GA/INF.5, Sections I and II) in conformity with the Financial Regulations of the World Heritage Fund that stipulate that the accounts of the Fund shall be submitted to the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention (Article 6, paragraph 6.4),
Approves the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ending 31 December 2007 (Document WHC-09/17.GA/INF.5, Sections I and II);
Takes note ...
The General Assembly,
Decides to set at 1% the percentage for the calculation of the amount of the contributions to be paid to the World Heritage Fund by States Parties for the financial period 2010-2011.
The General Assembly,
Takes note of the decisions of the Committee concerning the contributions of States Parties and of their status of implementation;
Also takes note of Document WHC-09/17.GA/INF.6 on the status of compulsory and voluntary contributions to the World Heritage Fund;
Requests the World Heritage Committee to submit all possible options for equitable additional voluntary contributions to the World Heritage Fund to the General Assembly at its 18th session in 2011, as requested in Decision 33 COM 16B;
Further requests the World Heritage Centre to report to the General ...
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-09/17.GA/7,
Takes note with satisfaction of the progress achieved so far in implementing the main recommendations of the management audit of the World Heritage Centre;
Calls upon the World Heritage Centre to continue to implement the recommendations of the management audit;
While noting the positive efforts made in addressing the recommendations of the audit, calls upon the World Heritage Centre to continue to address the issues for further improvements in personnel requirements, taking into account geographical representation, and ...
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-09/17.GA/8,
Takes note of the information provided in the above-mentioned document;
Welcomes the preparation and dissemination of the publications planned within the Series of World Heritage Resource Manuals;
Encourages States Parties to contribute extra-budgetary funding to support the publication of titles within the Series.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-09/17.GA/9 and WHC-09/17.GA/INF.9
Noting that the World Heritage Convention is approaching universal ratification and that its 40th anniversary is to be celebrated in 2012 and, therefore, that it is appropriate to reflect on the successes of the Convention and also how it can best be implemented to meet the emerging challenges and opportunities it faces while also increasing its relevance and engagement with communities around the world,
Considering the results of the Workshop to reflect on the Future of the World Heritage ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/2,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
18 EXT.COM 3
Organization of the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee (dates, venue, provisional agenda)
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Documents WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/3 and WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/3.Add,
Recalling that the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, initially scheduled from 19 to 30 June 2022, was postponed by the Bureau on 21 April 2022,
Also recalling that Rule 2.1 of its Rules of Procedure was suspended at its 17th extraordinary session (Decision 17 EXT.COM 3),
Decides to hold its extended 45th session in presentia from 10 to 25 September 2023 in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the Presidency of Her Highness Princess Haifa Al Mogrin (Saudi Arabia), ...
18 EXT.COM 4
Outcomes of the Open-ended Working Group on Sites of Memory Associated with Recent Conflicts
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Documents WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/4 and WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/INF.4,
Part I - Guiding Principles
2. Recalling Decisions 42 COM 8B.24 and 44 COM 8 adopted at its 42nd (Manama, 2018) and the extended 44th (Fuzhou/online, 2021) sessions respectively,
3. Considering the fruitful debates held during the meetings of the Open-ended Working Group established at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021) to broaden the scope of the reflection on sites of memory associated with recent conflicts,
4. Also recalling that the World Heritage ...
18 EXT.COM 5.1
Any other matter: Nominations to the World Heritage List - Nominations to be processed on an emergency basis - Lebanon
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Documents WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/5 and WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/INF.5,
Inscribes the Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli, Lebanon, on the World Heritage List according to the emergency procedure, on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv);
Adopts the following Statement of Outstanding Universal Value:
Brief synthesis
The Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli has been erected in Tripoli, the second largest city in Lebanon and the capital of the Northern Governorate, and was designed by Oscar Niemeyer between 1962-1967 and built until 1975. The ...
18 EXT.COM 5.2
Any other matter: Nominations to the World Heritage List - Nominations to be processed on an emergency basis - Ukraine
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Documents WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/5 and WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/INF.5,
Inscribes the Historic Center of the Port City of Odesa, Ukraine, on the World Heritage List according to the emergency procedure, on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv);
Adopts the following Statement of Outstanding Universal Value:
Brief synthesis
The historic centre of Odesa is part of a port city located on the Ukrainian shores of the Black Sea. It stands on a shallow indentation of the seacoast about thirty kilometres north of the Dniester River estuary. The city was ...
Sites: The Historic Centre of Odesa
18 EXT.COM 5.3
Any other matter: Nominations to the World Heritage List - Nominations to be processed on an emergency basis - Yemen
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Documents WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/5 and WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/INF.5,
Inscribes the Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba in Marib Governorate, Yemen, on the World Heritage List according to the emergency procedure, on the basis of criteria (iii) and (iv);
Taking note that the authenticity, integrity, protection and management of the property or its potential vulnerabilities could not have been fully evaluated at this stage due to the lack of a technical evaluation mission to the site,
Adopts the following Statement of Outstanding Universal ...
No Resolution.
The General Assembly,
Elects H.E. Mr. Pablo César GROUX (Plurinational State of Bolivia) as Chairperson of the 18th General Assembly,
Elects Ms. Hyosang JO (Republic of Korea) as Rapporteur of the 18th General Assembly,
Elects Slovenia, Cap Verde and Kuwait as Vice-Chairpersons of the 18th General Assembly.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-11/18.GA/2A,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
18 GA 2B
Adoption of the provisional Timetable of the 18th session of the General Assembly and of the provisional Timetable for the elections to the World Heritage Committee
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-11/18.GA/2B,
Adopts the timetable of its 18th session.
The General Assembly,
Elects Qatar (State Party without a property on the World Heritage List) as member of the World Heritage Committee;
Elects the following eight States Parties as members of the World Heritage Committee: Algeria, Colombia, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Senegal and Serbia.
18 GA 4
Report of the Rapporteur of the 17th session of the General Assembly of States Parties (UNESCO, 2009)
The General Assembly,
Takes note of the report of the Rapporteur of the 17th session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention (UNESCO, 2009).
18 GA 5
Report of the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee on the activities of the World Heritage Committee
The General Assembly,
Takes note of the report of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage on its activities (2010-2011).
18 GA 6
Examination of the statement of accounts of the World Heritage Fund, including the status of the States Parties' contributions
The General Assembly,
Having examined the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ended 31 December 2009 approved by the Deputy Comptroller (Document WHC-11/18.GA/INF.6) in conformity with the Financial Regulations of the World Heritage Fund that stipulate that the accounts of the Fund shall be submitted to the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention (Article 6, paragraph 6.4),
Approves the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ended 31 December 2009 (Document WHC-11/18.GA/INF.6);
Takes note of the accounts of the World ...
18 GA 7
Determination of the amount of the contributions to the World Heritage Fund in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 of the World Heritage Convention
The General Assembly,
Taking into account Article 16 paragraph 1 of the World Heritage Convention on the determination, in the form of a uniform percentage, of the amount of the contributions to be paid to the World Heritage Fund by States Parties,
Decides to set at 1% the percentage for the calculation of the amount of the contributions to be paid to the World Heritage Fund by States Parties for the financial period 2012-2013;
Also takes note of Document WHC-11/18.GA/INF.7 on the status of compulsory and voluntary contributions to the World Heritage Fund;
Further takes note of ...
18 GA 8
Recommendations of the independent evaluation by UNESCO’s external auditor on the implementation of the Global Strategy from its inception in 1994 to 2011 and the Partnership for Conservation Initiative (PACT)
The General Assembly,
1. Having examined Documents WHC-11/18.GA/8 and WHC-11/18.GA/INF.8,
2. Endorses the recommendations of the independent evaluation by UNESCO’s external auditor on the implementation of the Global Strategy from its inception in 1994 to 2011 and the Partnership for Conservation Initiative (PACT) requested by its Resolution 17 GA 9 (UNESCO, 2009),
3. Welcomes the views of all States Parties that provided comments following the Circular Letter dated 13 July 2011;
4. Urges all parties to take into consideration the recommendations of the External Auditor while ...
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-11/18.GA/9,
Recalling Decision 35 COM 5C adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),
Takes note of the progress report on recommendations of the External Audit;
Also takes note of the IOS Audit Plan for the World Heritage Centre for 2012.
The General Assembly,
1. Having examined Documents WHC-11/18.GA/10 and WHC-11/18.GA/INF.10,
2. Recalling Decision 35 COM 6 adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),
3. Thanks the Government of Bahrain for having hosted the first meeting of World Heritage related category 2 centres and of relevant UNESCO Chairs and Higher Education and Research Institutions;
4. Takes note of the report on this meeting, as well as of the reports on the World Heritage related category 2 centres in Bahrain, Brazil, China, Mexico, Norway and South Africa;
5. Also takes ...
The General Assembly, 1. Having examined Documents WHC-11/18.GA/11 and WHC-11/18.GA/INF.11, 2. Recalling Decisions 35 COM 12A, 35 COM 12B, 35 COM 12C, 35 COM 12D, and 35 COM 12E adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011), 3. Thanks the Working Group and its Chairperson, Mr Greg Terrill, for the leadership in elaborating the Vision and Action Plan in an open and participative way; 4. Adopts the Vision and Action Plan and requests the World Heritage Centre to disseminate it widely; 5. Recalls the request by the 35th session of the World Heritage ...
Decision: 19 EXT.COM 2
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC/23/19EXT.COM/2,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
19 EXT.COM 3
DATE AND PLACE OF THE 46TH SESSION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE AND ELECTION OF THE BUREAU
Decision: 19 EXT.COM 3
The World Heritage Committee,
Recalling its Decision 45 COM 17, adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
Decides that its 46th session will take place in India tentatively in July 2024, in accordance with Rule 4.1 of the Rules of Procedure[1];
Elects in accordance with Rule 13.1 of the Rules of Procedure, its Bureau with the following composition:
Chairperson: E. Mr Vishal V. Sharma (India),
Vice-Chairpersons: Bulgaria, Greece, Kenya, Qatar, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,
Rapporteur: Mr Martin Ouaklani (Belgium),
whose mandates will ...
No Resolution.
The General Assembly,
Elects H.E. Mr. Karunaratne HANGAWATTE (Sri Lanka) as Chairperson of the 19th General Assembly,
Elects Mr. Hassan AL-LAWATI (Oman) as Rapporteur of the 19th General Assembly,
Elects Switzerland and Zimbabwe as Vice-Chairpersons of the 19th General Assembly.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-13/19.GA/2A,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
19 GA 2B
Adoption of the Timetable of the 19th General Assembly and of the Timetable for the elections to the World Heritage Committee
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-13/19.GA/2B,
Adopts the timetable of its 19th session as included in the above-mentioned document.
The General Assembly,
Elects Jamaica (State Party without properties on the World Heritage List) as member of the World Heritage Committee;
Elects the following eleven States Parties Croatia, Finland, Kazakhstan, Korea (Republic of), Lebanon, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Turkey and Viet Nam, as members of the World Heritage Committee.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-13/19.GA/4,
Recalling the amendments to Draft Resolution 19 GA 4 proposed by Brazil and other States and the debates held at the 19th General Assembly,
Also recalling its Resolution 18 GA 8 and the World Heritage Committee’s decision 35 COM 12B encouraging States Parties members of the Committee not to submit nominations during their mandate,
Further recalling Article 9.3 of the World Heritage Convention which stipulates that “States members of the Committee shall choose as their representatives persons qualified in the field of ...
The General Assembly,
Takes note of the report of the Rapporteur of the 18th session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention (UNESCO, 2011).
19 GA 6
Report of the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee on the activities of the World Heritage Committee
The General Assembly,
Takes note of the report of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage on its activities (2012-2013).
19 GA 7
Examination of the statement of accounts of the World Heritage Fund, including the status of the contributions of States Parties
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-13/19.GA/7 and WHC-13/19.GA/INF.7,
Having in particular examined the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ended 31 December 2011 approved by the Senior Accountant of the UNESCO Bureau of Financial Management,
Takes note of the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for 2012-2013, established by the UNESCO Bureau of Financial Management;
Also takes note of the Chart representing the reductions of activities as requested in Decision 37 COM 15.I taken by the World Heritage Committee at its 37th session;
Approves ...
19 GA 8
Determination of the amount of the contributions to the World Heritage Fund in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 of the World Heritage Convention
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-13/19.GA/8, WHC-13/19.GA/INF.8 and WHC-13/19.GA/INF.8.A,
Recalling Article 16 paragraph 1 of the World Heritage Convention on the determination, in the form of a uniform percentage, of the amount of the contributions to be paid to the World Heritage Fund by States Parties,
Decides to set at 1% the percentage for the calculation of the amount of the contributions to be paid to the World Heritage Fund by States Parties for the financial period 2014-2015;
Notes the status of compulsory and voluntary contributions to the World Heritage ...
19 GA 9
Global Strategy for a representative, balanced and credible World Heritage List: Report on the Follow-up to Resolution 18 GA 8
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-13/19.GA/9,
Recalling Decisions 35 COM 9A and 36 COM 9A adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th (UNESCO, 2011) and 36th (Saint Petersburg, 2012) sessions respectively and Resolution 18 GA 8 of the 18th session of the General Assembly (UNESCO, 2011),
Appreciates the work of the open-ended working group on the Implementation Plan for the recommendations of the External Auditor on the Global Strategy and the PACT Initiative carried out in 2012 and 2013 and endorses its recommendations;
Notes the implementation of a number ...
19 GA 10
Future of the World Heritage Convention Outcomes and Progress in the implementation on the Strategic Action Plan, including a Report on the 40th anniversary celebrations
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-13/19.GA/10,
Recalling Resolutions 17 GA 9 and 18 GA 11 adopted at the 17th (UNESCO, 2009) and 18th sessions (UNESCO, 2011) of the General Assembly of States Parties respectively, and the adoption of the Strategic Action Plan and Vision by the 18th General Assembly of States Parties (UNESCO, 2011);
Welcomes the progress made in the Implementation Plan of the Strategic Action Plan in particular with regards to links between the Draft Implementation Plan and the follow-up to Resolution 18 GA 8 of the General Assembly of States Parties ...
19 GA 11
Summary and Follow-up of the Director-General’s meeting on “The World Heritage Convention: Thinking Ahead” (UNESCO HQs, 2-3 October 2012)
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-13/19.GA/11 and WHC-13/19.GA/INF.11,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 5C of the World Heritage Committee taken at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Takes note of the summary of the Director General’s meeting on “The World Heritage Convention: Thinking Ahead” (UNESCO HQs, 2-3 October 2012) and of the presentations made in this regard;
Also notes the efforts undertaken in the framework of the implementation plans of the follow-up to the UNESCO External Auditor Report and the Strategic Action Plan 2012-2022 and urges the further ...
No Resolution.
1 EXT.GA 1B
Election of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons and Rapporteur of the 1st extraordinary session of the General Assembly
The General Assembly,
Elects Ms Véra Lacoeuilhe (Saint Lucia) as Chairperson of the 1st extraordinary session of the General Assembly;
Elects Dr James Wakibara (United Republic of Tanzania) as Rapporteur of the 1st extraordinary session of the General Assembly;
Elects Nepal and Palestine as Vice-Chairpersons of the 1st extraordinary session of the General Assembly.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-14/1 EXT.GA/2A,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-14/1 EXT.GA/2B,
Adopts the Timetable as included in the above-mentioned document.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-14/1EXT.GA/3 and WHC-14/1EXT.GA/INF.3,
Recalling Resolution 19 GA 4 adopted at its 19th session (UNESCO, 2013),
Thanking H.E. Ambassador Jean-Frédéric Jauslin (Switzerland) and the open-ended Working Group for the revision of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, for the work accomplished,
Decides to amend its Rules of Procedure as follows (amendments are in strikethrough and in bold):
Rule 13 - Procedures for the presentation of candidatures to the World Heritage ...
No Resolution
No Resolution.
The General Assembly,
Elects E. Mr. MORAES CABRAL (Portugal) as Chairperson of the 20th General Assembly,
Elects DANTAS DA COSTA (Brazil) as Rapporteur of the 20th General Assembly,
Elects China and Palestine as Vice-Chairpersons of the 20th General Assembly.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-15/20.GA/2A,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document, as amended.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-15/20.GA/2B,
Adopts the timetable of its 20th session as included in the above-mentioned document.
The General Assembly,
Takes note of the report of the Rapporteur of the 19th session of the General Assembly (UNESCO, 2013).
20 GA 4
Report of the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee on the activities of the World Heritage Committee
The General Assembly,
Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee on the activities of the World Heritage Committee.
20 GA 5
Report by the Chairperson of the 1st extraordinary session of the General Assembly (UNESCO, 2014).
The General Assembly,
Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the 1st extraordinary session of the General Assembly (UNESCO, 2014).
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-15/20.GA/6, WHC-15/20.GA/INF.6A.Rev, WHC-15/20.GA/INF.6B and WHC-15/20.GA/INF.6C,
Recalling Resolution 1 EXT.GA 3, adopted at its 1st extraordinary session (UNESCO, 2014), and in particular its paragraph 6 which requested the General Assembly of States Parties at its 20th ordinary session in 2015 to decide on the attribution of the floating seat for Group III or Group IV,
Decides that the floating seat allocated on a rotational basis for Group III and Group IV, as defined in Rule 14.1c) of the Rules of Procedure of the General ...
20 GA 7
Examination of the statement of accounts of the World Heritage Fund, including the status of the States Parties' contributions
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-15/20.GA/7 and WHC-15/20.GA/INF.7,
Having in particular examined the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ended 31 December 2013,
Approves the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ended 31 December 2013;
Takes note of the financial statements relating to the World Heritage Fund for the period 1 January 2014 to 30 June 2015.
20 GA 8
Determination of the amount of the contributions to the World Heritage Fund in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 of the World Heritage Convention
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-15/20.GA/7, WHC-15/20.GA/INF.7, WHC-15/20.GA/8 and WHC-15/20.GA/INF.8,
Recalling Resolution 19 GA 8 adopted at its 19th session (UNESCO, 2013),
Recalling World Heritage Committee Decisions 38 COM 13, 39 COM 11 and 39 COM 13A on the mandate of the ad hoc working group of the World Heritage Committee to further discuss and make recommendations inter alia on the sustainability of the World Heritage Fund,
Recalling Article 16 paragraph 1 of the World Heritage Convention on the determination, in the form of a uniform percentage, of the ...
20 GA 9
Global Strategy for a representative, balanced and credible World Heritage List: Report on the Follow-up to Resolution 19 GA 9
The General Assembly,
Having examined document WHC-15/20.GA/9,
Recalling Resolution 19 GA 9 adopted at its 19th session (UNESCO, 2013),
Takes note of the good follow-up of most of the recommendations of the implementation as detailed in the implementation plan updated for 2014-2015 and document 196 EX/23.INF.4;
Also takes note of the amendments made by the World Heritage Committee to its Rules of Procedure in order to implement recommendations 12 and 20 of the independent evaluation;
Strongly urges the World Heritage Committee to continue implementing any pending requests in ...
20 GA 10
AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON WORKING METHODS OF THE EVALUATION AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESS OF NOMINATION: FOLLOW-UP TO DECISION 39 COM 13A
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-15/20.GA/10 and recalling document WHC-15/39.COM/13A which contains the outcomes of the ad hoc working group that examined the issues related to working methods of the evaluation and decision-making process of nomination,
Recalling also Decisions 39 COM 13A and 39 COM 11,
Expresses its appreciation to the German leadership and the delegates of Algeria, Finland, Germany, India, Jamaica, Japan, Lebanon, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Senegal, Serbia, and the United Republic of Tanzania, as well as the representatives of the Advisory ...
20 GA 11
Follow-up to the audit of the Governance of UNESCO and dependent funds, programmes and entities
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-15/20.GA/11,
Recalling Resolution 19 GA 9 of the General Assembly of States Parties adopted at its 19th session (UNESCO, 2013),
Takes note of the efforts undertaken by the World Heritage Centre in the framework of the final audit report on the governance of UNESCO and dependent funds, programmes and entities;
Also takes note of the debate at the 197th session of the Executive Board on the final audit report on the governance of UNESCO and dependent funds, programmes and entities and of the decision to recommend to the 38th session ...
20 GA 12
FUTURE OF THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION OUTCOMES AND PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN 2012-2022
The General Assembly,
Having examined document WHC-15/20.GA/12,
Recalling Resolutions 17 GA 9, 18 GA 11 and 19 GA 10 adopted during the 17th (UNESCO, 2009), 18th (UNESCO, 2011) and 19th sessions (UNESCO, 2013) of the General Assembly of States Parties respectively, concerning the adoption of the Strategic Action Plan and Vision and the monitoring of the implementation of the Strategic Action Plan, including the links between the draft Implementation Plan and monitoring of the implementation plan for the recommendations of the independent evaluation,
Welcomes the continuous progress ...
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-15/20.GA/13 and WHC-15/20.GA/INF.13,
Recalling Decisions 36 COM 5C, 38 COM 5D, and 39 COM 5D, adopted respectively at the 36th (Saint Petersburg, 2012), 38th (Doha, 2014), and 39th (Bonn, 2015) sessions of the World Heritage Committee,
Thanks the Technical University of Brandenburg, the Government of Germany and the Government of Viet Nam for their support in the development of the draft policy document on the integration of a sustainable development perspective into the processes of the World Heritage Convention;
Welcomes the work ...
The General Assembly,
Having examined documents WHC-15/20.GA/14 and WHC-15/20.GA/INF.14,
Takes note of Decision 39 COM 10B.5 of the World Heritage Committee concerning the launch of a reflection period on the Periodic Reporting exercise;
Highlights the importance for all States Parties to actively participate in the reflection on the Periodic Reporting exercise;
Calls upon all States Parties to provide extra-budgetary funding for the reflection on the Periodic Reporting exercise.
No Resolution.
No Resolution.
No Resolution.
The General Assembly,
Elects E. Mr. Adrian CIOROIANU (Romania) as Chairperson of the 21st session of the General Assembly,
Elects Feven TEWOLDE (Ethiopia) as Rapporteur of the 21st session of the General Assembly,
Elects Chile and Cyprus as Vice-Chairpersons of the 21st session of the General Assembly.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC/17/21.GA/2A,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC/17/21.GA/2B,
Adopts the timetable of its 21st session as included in the above-mentioned Document.
The General Assembly,
Takes note of the report of the Rapporteur of the 20th session of the General Assembly (UNESCO, 2015).
21 GA 4
Report of the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee on the Activities of the World Heritage Committee
The General Assembly,
Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee on the activities of the World Heritage Committee.
The General Assembly,
Elects the following 12 States Parties, Australia, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, China, Guatemala, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Spain and Uganda, as members of the World Heritage Committee.
21 GA 6
Examination of the Statement of Accounts of the World Heritage Fund, Including the Status of the Contributions of States Parties
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC/17/21.GA/6 and WHC/17/21.GA/INF.6, Resolutions adopted by the 21st session of the General Assembly WHC/17/21.GA/11, p. 3
Having in particular examined the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ended 31 December 2015,
Approves the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ended 31 December 2015;
Takes note of the financial statements relating to the World Heritage Fund for the period 1 January 2016 to 30 June ...
21 GA 7
Determination of the Amount of the Contributions to the World Heritage Fund in Accordance with the Provisions of Article 16 of the World Heritage Convention
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC/17/21.GA/7 and WHC/17/21.GA/INF.7,
Recalling Article 16 of the World Heritage Convention,
Expressing its concern at the financial difficulties that the World Heritage Fund is facing and further recalling that the payment of assessed compulsory and voluntary contributions, as per Article 16 of the World Heritage Convention, is a legal obligation incumbent on all States Parties which have ratified the Convention,
Decides to set the percentage for the calculation of the amount of the contributions to be paid to the World Heritage Fund ...
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC/17/21.GA/8,
Recalling Resolution 20 GA 11 and Decisions 40 COM 13B and 41 COM 12B adopted by the General Assembly at its 20th session (UNESCO, 2015) and by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016) and 41st (Krakow, 2017) sessions respectively and the ongoing reflection undertaken by the Governing Bodies of the World Heritage Convention to assess, improve and streamline their working methods,
Takes note of the endorsement by the General Conference, at its 39th session (39 C/Resolution 87), of the ...
21 GA 9
Future of the World Heritage Convention: Outcomes and Progress in the Implementation of the Strategic Action Plan 2012-2022
The General Assembly,
Having examined document WHC/17/21.GA/9,
Recalling Resolutions 17 GA 9, 18 GA 11, 19 GA 10 and 20 GA 12 adopted during the 17th (UNESCO, 2009), 18th (UNESCO, 2011), 19th (UNESCO, 2013) and 20th (UNESCO, 2015) sessions of the General Assembly of States Parties respectively, concerning the adoption of the Strategic Action Plan and Vision and the monitoring of the implementation of the Strategic Action Plan,
Welcomes the continuous progress in the performance of the implementation of the Strategic Action Plan;
Requests the World Heritage Centre, in collaboration ...
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC/17/21.GA/10,
Recalling Decisions 39 COM 5D, 40 COM 5C, and 41 COM 5C adopted respectively at its 39th (Bonn, 2015), 40th (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016) and 41st (Krakow, 2017) sessions, as well as Resolution 20 GA 13, adopted by the General Assembly at its 20th session (UNESCO, 2015),
Takes note of the follow-up activities and the progress made by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in disseminating and mainstreaming the World Heritage Sustainable Development Policy (WH-SDP) into the processes of the World Heritage Convention ...
No Resolution.
Resolution: 22 GA 1B
The General Assembly,
Elects H.E. Mr. Adam Al Mulla (Kuwait) as Chairperson of the 22nd session of the General Assembly;
Elects Carlo Ossola (Switzerland) as Rapporteur of the 22nd session of the General Assembly;
Elects Bangladesh, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Uganda as Vice-Chairpersons of the 22nd session of the General Assembly.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC/19/22.GA/2A,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC/19/22.GA/2B,
Adopts the Timetable of its 22nd session as amended.
The General Assembly,
Takes note of the report of the Rapporteur of the 21st session of the General Assembly (UNESCO, 2017).