Second Cycle of the Periodic Reporting Exercise for Europe and North America - Decision 37 COM 10B

CLT/WHC-13/18

Madam, Sir,

I am pleased to inform you that the World Heritage Committee, at its 37^th session (Phnom Penh, 2013), examined the Progress report on the second cycle of the Periodic Reporting exercise for Europe and North America. Please find attached in Annex I the Decision 37 COM 10B adopted by the Committee.

 In this Decision, the World Heritage Committee reiterated its appreciation to the authorities of the States Parties which have hosted or proposed to host meetings in the framework of the Periodic Reporting exercise in Europe and North America region, and expressed its gratitude to the authorities of the States Parties which have made financial contributions to the implementation of the second cycle of the Periodic Reporting in Europe and North America. The Committee also encouraged further support and collaboration in the future in the framework of this important exercise.

The World Heritage Committee also welcomed the progress made with the initiative to prepare an integrated had targeted strategy addressing the priority needs in training and capacity-building for the preservation of World Heritage properties in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and commended the Steering Group for its commitment to carry forward this work.

In the framework of the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee, the Europe and North America Unit organized an Exchange and Information Meeting on the Second Cycle of Periodic Reporting. I would like to thank those of you who attended the meeting on 21 June last in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and participated in the fruitful discussions. Those who were unable to attend can consult the presentation and summary of the meeting at the following link:https://whc.unesco.org/en/events/1 055/

 May I also take this opportunity to announce that all Focal Points from the Europe and North America region are invited to attend the Periodic Reporting Mid cycle Review Meeting which is scheduled to take place on 22 November 2013after the 19th session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention, at UNESCO Headquarters

The one-day meeting will be an excellent opportunity to present the results of the preliminary  analysis for the European Periodic Report for Group A (please refer to Annex II) and discuss the way forward with the overall regional report for Europe to be presented at the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee in2015. The Europe and North America Unit will send the official invitation letter and meeting agenda shortly.

Also, the World Heritage Centre will provide shortly the National Focal Points and Site Managers of Group A with all necessary information concerning the follow-up of the Periodic Reporting exercise after the submission of the questionnaire by31 July 2013. The World Heritage Centre will also send to the National Focal Points and Site Managers of the States Parties included in Group B (please refer to Annex II) all necessary information concerning the launch of the Periodic Reporting online questionnaire for Group B in September 2013.

 For more information and guidance tools for the implementation of the Periodic Reporting exercise please refer to the web platform which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/EUR-NA. The World Heritage Centre remains at your disposal for any questions that may arise which may be addressed by e-mail to wh-periodicreportinq@ unesco.org.

May I take this opportunity to thank you for your cooperation and support in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.

 Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Kishore Rao
Director

cc: National Commissions for UNESCO (Europe and North America region)

National Focal Points (Europe and North America region)