Decision - 23COM VI.1-16 - Progress Report on the Implementation of the Regional Actions Described in the Global Strategy Action Plan Adopted by the Committee at its twenty-second Session

VI.1 The Chairperson recalled the reference documents WHC-99/CONF.209.8 and WHC-99/CONF.209/8Add and WHC-99/CONF.209.7, Annex II (text of the resolution adopted by the twelfth General Assembly on "The ways and means to ensure a representative World Heritage List"). He indicated that the Document WHC-99/CONF.209/8 was a follow-up to the adoption in 1998 by the Committee at its twenty-second session, of the regional action plans:

(a) Section III presents the report of the activities undertaken in 1999 and the action plans for the years 2001 and 2002 for Africa, the Arab States, Asia, the Pacific, Europe and North America, as well as Latin America and the Caribbean;

(b) Section IV presents the contribution of the advisory bodies to the Global Strategy;

(c) Section V includes a budget for activities for 2000.

VI.2 He added that this document was prepared before the twelfth General Assembly of States Parties and that the conclusions of the debate on "The ways and means to ensure a representative World Heritage List" were presented in the report of the General Assembly Document WHC-99/CONF.209/7. He indicated that the debate and the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly called for ways of action presented in the Document WHC-99/CONF.209/8Add. which could be examined by the Bureau in June 2000, during its twenty-fourth session.

VI.3 The Secretariat recalled the background to the document and referred to Document WHC-98/CONF.203/12 "Progress Report and Action Plan of Global Strategy for a credible and representative World heritage List", adopted at the twenty-second session of the Committee. This document presents regional analyses as well as six regional action plans for: Africa, Asia, Pacific, the Arab States, Europe and North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Secretariat then presented for each region: (a) activities executed in 1999; (b) planned activities for 2000 in the context of the pluriannual regional plans (2000-2002). Each plan also indicated the possibilities for the granting of "international assistance" from the World Heritage Fund to the States Parties. The plans take into account: (i) recognition of imbalance between natural and cultural properties; (ii) characteristics of each region; (iii) underrepresented categories; (iv) but also, priorities defined in cooperation with the advisory bodies, States Parties and in synergy with the existing regional networks, notably in Africa, Asia and the Pacific; (v) analyses and recommendations of publications of expert meetings, such as: reports of the Amsterdam meeting, reports of the thematic and Global Strategy meetings in Africa, the Pacific, eastern and central Europe, the Baltic States, in the Andean and the Caribbean regions, and the IUCN thematic studies on the global diversity and geological sites.

VI.4 In the framework of the objectives aiming at the increase in the number of States Parties, awareness-raising of decision-makers, encouragement in the preparation of tentative lists and nominations for inscription, strengthening existing capacities in the field of conservation, activities targeted in the action plans respond to the needs of each region and are based on already identified needs. They will be revised during the years in accordance with the results and in the light of remarks and observations of the Committee. The overall activities take into account the human resources of the Centre responsible for each region.

VI.5 The activities proposed in 2000 in the framework of the action plans, place the emphasis on the: (i) organization of Global Strategy meetings and their follow-up; (ii) organization of thematic meetings on the under-represented categories of heritage and the preparation of publications; (iii) particular attention is given to transborder sites, serial nominations; (iv) utilisation of existing expert networks and strengthening existing capabilities in the field of training; (v) strategic studies under preparation should encourage numerous proposals of mixed and natural sites, especially in Asia and the Pacific.

VI.6 Due to the very heavy workload of the Committee, there was not sufficient time to examine in detail the proposed activities. Nevertheless, the Delegate of Zimbabwe indicated that, at the invitation of his country, the Meeting on Integrity/Authenticity in the African Context, will be held there in May 2000.

VI.7 The Committee noted that concerning the Regional Thematic Expert Meeting on Sacred Mountains in Asia, preliminary discussions were held with the Japanese Authorities to organize the meeting in Japan in the year 2001, and that further information would be provided to the twenty-fourth session of the World Heritage Committee.

VI.8 The Observer of Austria informed the Committee that his Government intends to host the Expert Meeting on the European Alps in June 2000 and that this meeting is fully in line with the Global Strategy for a balanced and representative World Heritage List. No natural property has been included from the region on the World Heritage List so far. A constructive discussion has started and draft terms of reference had been prepared. The meeting will identify potential World Heritage sites and will deal with a number of issues including transboundary sites.

VI.9 The Observer of Germany informed the Committee of a proposal of a workshop on "World Heritage Perspectives in the Caucasus Region" suggested to be organized in Georgia in July 2000. This workshop would deal with both the cultural and biological diversity of the region, which is currently underrepresented on the World Heritage List. He noted that financial assistance would be required under preparatory assistance.

VI.10 The Delegate of Zimbabwe informed the Committee about a follow-up meeting to the Tiwi meeting that will be held in May 2000 to discuss the authenticity questions in Africa. This meeting will also be supported financially by the Nordic World Heritage Office.

VI.11 The Delegate of Italy, in following-up the proposal from Austria, offered to host an expert meeting on "Cultural landscapes in Europe and the Mediterranean" in February 2000 in Sicily, in collaboration with the administration of the Etna Regional Park. This meeting would address issues raised during the debate on cultural landscapes under the agenda item on nominations.

VI.12 The Delegate of Hungary proposed to organize a meeting on "Natural and Cultural Heritage in Eastern Europe" and suggested a budget proposal to be discussed under Chapter II of the Budget. He also proposed to modify the title of the activity proposed for the Arab States so as the information to be distributed takes into account the needs of the preparation of the periodic report for this region.

VI.13 The Delegate of Australia made a presentation concerning the Asia Pacific Focal Point for World Heritage Managers which had been suggested at the first two meetings of the Regional Network for World Heritage Management in South- East Asia, the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. Australia launched the Focal Point in July 1999 to share information and experience, develop networks and facilitate training in support of World Heritage conservation in the region. He referred to the Focal Point as an initiative that would contribute to the Global Strategy especially for the Pacific where so few countries had signed the Convention. He gave a brief introduction to the web site for the Focal Point that would include site specific information relevant to the region. He noted that the Focal Point's work would be performed in partnership with UNESCO, IUCN, ICOMOS, ICCROM, regional States Parties and other organisations.

VI.14 The Committee, having recognized that regional action plans had already contributed in a tangible manner towards the implementation of the Global Strategy, adopted under Chapter II for the Budget for 2000 and amount of US$ 278,000, of which US$ 20,000 for Central and Eastern Europe, and under Thematic Studies US$ 40,000 for ICOMOS and US$ 15,000 for IUCN. It also took note of Information Documents WHC-99/CONF.209/INF.8, WHC-99/CONF.209/INF.11, WHC-99/CONF.209/INF.14 and WHC-99/CONF.209/INF.16.

VI.15 The Director of the Centre referred to Document WHC-99/CONF.209/8Add. that presents the follow-up of the two resolutions adopted by the twelfth General Assembly of States Parties (October 1999): (a) "Ways and means to ensure a representative World Heritage List", and (b) "The equitable representation in the Committee". He proposed that the Centre address a letter to all the representatives of States Parties in Paris as well as to ICOMOS inviting them to a meeting at UNESCO Headquarters in mid-January 2000 to constitute two working groups which would define their mandates, their working methods and their evolution. These groups will submit their reports to the twenty-fourth session of the Bureau in June 2000. The Delegates of Belgium, Finland, Greece, Italy and the Observer of France, supported this proposal which was adopted. The Delegate of Greece underlined the legal issues to be discussed by the working group that will deal with the equitable representation of the Committee and suggested that its Chair have legal qualifications.

VI.16 At the end of the session, the Director of the World Heritage Centre indicated that two other groups had been constituted during the twenty-third session of the Committee, namely:

• a task force for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, chaired by Ms Christina Cameron (Canada);
• a working group which will convene in Canterbury (April 2000), thanks to the generous invitation of the United Kingdom, and will concern a global vision for the revision of the Operational Guidelines.

These two groups shall also present the results of their work to the twenty-fourth session of the Bureau in June 2000.