Decision 45 COM 11

Follow-up to recommendations of evaluations and audits on working methods and outcomes of the ad-hoc working group

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/11.Rev,
2. Expresses its appreciation to the Ad-hoc Working Group for its efforts and takes note of its recommendations;
3. Recalling Decisions 40 COM 11, 42 COM 12A, 43 COM 8, 43 COM 12, 44 COM 8, 44 COM 11 and 44 COM 12 adopted at its 40th (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016), 42nd (Manama, 2018), 43rd (Baku, 2019) and extended 44th (Fuzhou/online, 2021) sessions respectively,
4. Taking into account the heavy budget constraints of the World Heritage Fund and the need for an effective management of the increasing size of the List and the call for a more balanced World Heritage List, considering the aspirations of non-represented and under-represented States Parties and regions on the World Heritage List;
5. Taking note of the Global Strategy adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 18th session (Phuket, 1994) to provide a broad framework for an analysis and action programme to reduce the gap in regional representation to achieve a balanced and credible World Heritage List, considering the aspirations of non-represented and under-represented States Parties and regions on the World Heritage List;
6. Decides to create an Open-ended Working Group of States Parties to the Convention, transfer the mandate of the Ad-hoc Working Group to it and allow all States Parties to the Convention to continue contributing to the discussions in order to:
   1. Consider the necessary improvement aiming at reducing the gap of the representation of States Parties on the World Heritage List and enhancing the balance of the List,
   2. Propose solutions to the technical evaluation requirements, including improving capacity building activities,
   3. Explore the possibility of using additional service providers,
   4. Propose sustainable solutions to the financial requirements of the nomination process to implement the above including the Preliminary Assessment,
   5. Consider the mandate and working methods for an extension of this Open-ended Working Group, with a view to starting a fundamental reflection on the operation of the World Heritage Convention;
7. Also decides that the Open-ended Working Group shall work in consultation with the World Heritage Centre, Advisory Bodies and, as appropriate, relevant stakeholders, and submit its report and recommendations to the 46th session of the Committee;
8. Calls upon States Parties to the Convention to voluntarily contribute to the creation of this Open-ended Working Group through voluntary contributions;
9. Also takes note of the Committee consensus in favour of Saudi Arabia assuming the chairpersonship of the Open-ended Working Group.