Policy Compendium
Article 8
1. An Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, called "the World Heritage Committee", is hereby established within the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It shall be composed of 15 States Parties to the Convention, elected by States Parties to the Convention meeting in general assembly during the ordinary session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The number of States members of the Committee shall be increased to 21 as from the date of the ordinary session of the General Conference following the entry into force of this Convention for at least 40 States.
2. Election of members of the Committee shall ensure an equitable representation of the different regions and cultures of the world.
3. A representative of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (Rome Centre), a representative of the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and a representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), to whom may be added, at the request of States Parties to the Convention meeting in general assembly during the ordinary sessions of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, representatives of other intergovernmental or non-governmental organizations, with similar objectives, may attend the meetings of the Committee in an advisory capacity.
Article 9
3. States members of the Committee shall choose as their representatives persons qualified in the field of the cultural or natural heritage.
Theme: | 1.1.2 - World Heritage Committee |
Source: | Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage |
Theme: | 1.1.2 - World Heritage Committee |
Resolution: | 1 EXT.GA 3 |
Theme: | 1.1.2 - World Heritage Committee |
Decision: | 35 COM 12B |
Theme: | 1.1.2 - World Heritage Committee |
Decision: | 43 COM 7.1 |
Theme: | 1.1.3 - Funding |
Resolution: | 23 GA 7 |
Article 13.6
The Committee shall decide on the use of the resources of the Fund established under Article 15 of this Convention. It shall seek ways of increasing these resources and shall take all useful steps to this end.
Article 15
1. A Fund for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, called "the World Heritage Fund", is hereby established.
4. Contributions to the Fund and other forms of assistance made available to the Committee may be used only for such purposes as the Committee shall define. The Committee may accept contributions to be used only for a certain programme or project, provided that the Committee shall have decided on the implementation of such programme or project. No political conditions may be attached to contributions made to the Fund.
Article 16
1. Without prejudice to any supplementary voluntary contribution, the States Parties to this Convention undertake to pay regularly, every two years, to the World Heritage Fund, contributions, the amount of which, in the form of a uniform percentage applicable to all States, shall be determined by the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention, meeting during the sessions of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (…).
Theme: | 1.1.3 - Funding |
Source: | Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage |
- Option 1: Increasing the standard percentage used in the calculation of the contributions to the World Heritage Fund from 1% to 2%.
Theme: | 1.1.3 - Funding |
Resolution: | 19 GA 8 |
(ii) Emergency International Assistance,
(iii) International Assistance to properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger,
(iv) Other International Assistance to States Parties, with priority to Preparatory Assistance,
(v) Funds to ensure that the Advisory Bodies have sufficient resources to enable them fulfill their obligations under the Convention”.
Theme: | 1.1.3 - Funding |
Decision: | 27 COM 11.3 |
6. Emphasizing the urgency of securing adequate financial resources to achieve the objectives of the 1972 Conventionto identify and, in particular, to conserve the world's cultural and natural heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, especially in light of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and unprecedented threats such as climate change, natural disasters, and deliberate attacks on cultural heritage in territories affected by armed conflicts and terrorism.
8. Underscoring that sustainability of the World Heritage Fund and overall funding for World Heritage are a strategic issue and a shared responsibility which concerns States Parties and relevant partners, affecting the overall credibility of the World Heritage Convention, including effectiveness and efficiency of World Heritage protection.
17. [The World Heritage Committee] underscores that the highest ethical standards and principles must be upheld in all measures to enhance fundraising to maintain and promote the integrity of the Convention.
Theme: | 1.1.3 - Funding |
Decision: | 41 COM 14 |
4. [The World Heritage Committee] recalls that the payment of compulsory and assessed voluntary contributions is, as per Article 16 of the World Heritage Convention, an obligation incumbent on all States Parties which have ratified the Convention (…).
Theme: | 1.1.3 - Funding |
Decision: | 42 COM 14 |
https://whc.unesco.org/archive/2021/whc21-23ga-13-en.pdf
https://whc.unesco.org/document/190279/p=code2021Theme: | 1.3.1 - General |
Resolution: | 23 GA 10 |
Article 6
"1. Whilst fully respecting the sovereignty of the States on whose territory the cultural and natural heritage mentioned in Articles 1 and 2 is situated, and without prejudice to property right provided by national legislation, the States Parties to this Convention recognize that such heritage constitutes a world heritage for whose protection it is the duty of the international community as a whole to co-operate.
2. The States Parties undertake, in accordance with the provisions of this Convention, to give their help in the identification, protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage referred to in paragraphs 2 and 4 of Article 11 if the States on whose territory it is situated so request.
3. Each State Party to this Convention undertakes not to take any deliberate measures which might damage directly or indirectly the cultural and natural heritage referred to in Articles 1 and 2 situated on the territory of other States Parties to this Convention."
Theme: | 1.3.1 - General |
Source: | Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage |
66. “Member States should co-operate with regard to the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage, seeking aid, if it seems desirable, from international organizations, both intergovernmental and non-governmental. Such multilateral or bilateral co-operation should be carefully co-ordinated and should take the form of measures such as the following:
a) exchange of information and of scientific and technical publications;
b) organization of seminars and working parties on particular subjects;
c) provision of study and travel fellowships, and of scientific, technical and administrative staff, and equipment;
d) provision of facilities for scientific and technical training abroad, by allowing young research workers and technicians to take part in architectural projects, archaeological excavations and the conservation of natural sites;
e) co-ordination, within a group of Member States, of large-scale projects involving conservation, excavations, restoration and rehabilitation work, with the object of making the experience gained generally available”.
Theme: | 1.3.1 - General |
Source: | Annex III. Revised draft recommendation concerning the protection, at national level of the cutural and natural heritage |
Paragraph 215
“The Committee develops and coordinates international co-operation in the area of research needed for the effective implementation of the Convention. States Parties are also encouraged to make resources available to undertake research, since knowledge and understanding are fundamental to the identification, management, and monitoring of World Heritage properties. States Parties are encouraged to support scientific studies and research methodologies, including traditional and indigenous knowledge held by local communities and indigenous peoples, with all necessary consent. Such studies and research are aimed at demonstrating the contribution that the conservation and management of World Heritage properties, their buffer zones and wider setting make to sustainable development, such as in conflict prevention and resolution, including, where relevant, by drawing on traditional ways of dispute resolution that may exist within communities."
Theme: | 1.3.1 - General |
Source: | OG Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (WHC.19/01 - 10 July 2019) |
“International cooperation and shared responsibility through the World Heritage Convention ensures effective conservation of our common cultural and natural heritage, nurtures respect and understanding among the world’s communities and cultures, and contributes to their sustainable development”.[1]
3. “Through cooperation, we seek:- A sustainable environment in which States Parties are encouraged, supported and assisted by the international community to fully meet their obligations and enjoy their rights under the World Heritage Convention;
- Local, national and international communities, both now and in the future, which feel a connection to, engage with and benefit from the world’s natural and cultural heritage;
- A World Heritage List that is a credible, relevant and representative selection of the world’s most outstanding heritage sites;
- A World Heritage system which remains transparent, equitable, accountable and efficient in an ever-changing world”.
[1] Considered as “Our Vision for 2022” within the Strategic Action Plan for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention 2012-2022 (see page 2 of WHC-11/18.GA/11).
Theme: | 1.3.1 - General |
Source: | WHC-11/18.GA/11 Future of the World Heritage Convention |
Paragraph 189
“The Committee shall allocate a specific, significant portion of the World Heritage Fund to financing of possible assistance to World Heritage properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.”
Theme: | 1.3.2 - International Assistance |
Source: | OG Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (WHC.19/01 - 10 July 2019) |
Paragraph 233
“The Convention provides International Assistance to States Parties for the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage located on their territories and inscribed, or potentially suitable for inscription on the World Heritage List. International Assistance should be seen as supplementary to national efforts for the conservation and management of World Heritage and Tentative List properties when adequate resources cannot be secured at the national level.”
Theme: | 1.3.2 - International Assistance |
Source: | OG Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (WHC.19/01 - 10 July 2019) |
Paragraph 237
“States Parties in arrears of payment of their compulsory or voluntary contributions to the World Heritage Fund are not eligible for international assistance, it being understood that this provision does not apply to requests for emergency assistance.”
Theme: | 1.3.2 - International Assistance |
Source: | OG Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (WHC.19/01 - 10 July 2019) |
Paragraph 238
“To support its Strategic Objectives, the Committee also allocates International Assistance in conformity with the priorities set out in its decisions and in the Regional Programmes it adopts as a follow up to Periodic Reports.”Theme: | 1.3.2 - International Assistance |
Source: | OG Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (WHC.19/01 - 10 July 2019) |
Paragraph 239
“(…) The following considerations govern the Committee’s decisions in granting International Assistance:
a) the likelihood that the assistance will have a catalytic and multiplier effect (“seed money”) and promote financial and technical contributions from other sources;
b) when funds available are limited and a selection has to be made, preference is given to:
c) the urgency of the protective measures to be taken at World Heritage properties;
d) whether the legislative, administrative and, wherever possible, financial commitment of the recipient State Party is available to the activity;
e) the impact of the activity on furthering the Strategic Objectives decided by the Committee;
f) the degree to which the activity responds to needs identified through the reactive monitoring process and/or the analysis of regional Periodic Reports;
g) the exemplary value of the activity in respect to scientific research and the development of cost effective conservation techniques;
h) the cost of the activity and expected results; and
i) the educational value both for the training of experts and for the general public.”
Theme: | 1.3.2 - International Assistance |
Source: | OG Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (WHC.19/01 - 10 July 2019) |
Code: | 2390 |
Paragraph 240
“A balance will be maintained in the allocation of resources between cultural and natural heritage and between Conservation and Management and Preparatory Assistance (...)”.
Theme: | 1.3.2 - International Assistance |
Source: | OG Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (WHC.19/01 - 10 July 2019) |
Code: | 2400 |
Theme: | 1.3.2 - International Assistance |
Decision: | 42 COM 7 |
Paragraph 201
“Periodic Reporting serves four main purposes:
a) to provide an assessment of the application of the World Heritage Convention by the State Party;
b) to provide an assessment as to whether the Outstanding Universal Value of the properties inscribed on the World Heritage List is being maintained over time;
c) to provide up-dated information about the World Heritage properties to record the changing circumstances and state of conservation of the properties;
d) to provide a mechanism for regional co-operation and exchange of information and experiences between States Parties concerning the implementation of the Convention and World Heritage conservation.”
Theme: | 1.3.3 - Regional cooperation |
Source: | OG Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (WHC.19/01 - 10 July 2019) |
Paragraph 205bis
“The Periodic Reporting process is used as an opportunity for regional exchange and cooperation and to enhance active co-ordination and synchronization between States Parties, particularly in the case of transboundary and transnational properties.”
Theme: | 1.3.3 - Regional cooperation |
Source: | OG Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (WHC.19/01 - 10 July 2019) |
Article 4
“Each State Party to this Convention recognizes that the duty of ensuring the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and transmission to future generations of the cultural and natural heritage referred to in Articles 1 and 2 and situated on its territory, belongs primarily to that State. It will do all it can to this end, to the utmost of its own resources and, where appropriate, with any international assistance and co-operation, in particular, financial, artistic, scientific and technical, which it may be able to obtain”.
Article 5
“To ensure that effective and active measures are taken for the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage situated on its territory, each State Party to this Convention shall endeavour, in so far as possible, and as appropriate for each country:
(a) to adopt a general policy which aims to give the cultural and natural heritage a function in the life of the community and to integrate the protection of that heritage into comprehensive planning programmes;
(b) to set up within its territories, where such services do not exist, one or more services for the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage with an appropriate staff and possessing the means to discharge their functions;
(c) to develop scientific and technical studies and research and to work out such operating methods as will make the State capable of counteracting the dangers that threaten its cultural or natural heritage;
(d) to take the appropriate legal, scientific, technical, administrative and financial measures necessary for the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of this heritage; and
(e) to foster the establishment or development of national or regional centres for training in the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage and to encourage scientific research in this field”.
Article 17
“The States Parties to this Convention shall consider or encourage the establishment of national public and private foundations or associations whose purpose is to invite donations for the protection of the cultural and natural heritage (...)”.
Theme: | 1.4 - Heritage policies at national level |
Source: | Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage |
4. "The cultural and natural heritage represents wealth, the protection, conservation and presentation of which impose responsibilities on the States in whose territory it is situated, both vis-a-vis their own nationals and vis-a-vis the international community as a whole; Member States should take such action as may be necessary to meet these responsibilities."
Theme: | 1.4 - Heritage policies at national level |
Source: | Annex III. Revised draft recommendation concerning the protection, at national level of the cutural and natural heritage |
Paragraph 15
“While fully respecting the sovereignty of the States on whose territory the cultural and natural heritage is situated, States Parties to the Convention recognize the collective interest of the international community to cooperate in the protection of this heritage. States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, have the responsibility to:
a) ensure the identification, nomination, protection, conservation, presentation, and transmission to future generations of the cultural and natural heritage found within their territory, and give help in these tasks to other States Parties that request it;
b) adopt general policies to give the heritage a function in the life of the community;
c) integrate heritage protection into comprehensive planning programmes and coordination mechanisms, giving consideration in particular to the resilience of socio-ecological systems of properties;
d) establish services for the protection, conservation and presentation of the heritage;
e) develop scientific and technical studies to identify actions that would counteract the dangers that threaten the heritage;
f) take appropriate legal, scientific, technical, administrative and financial measures to protect the heritage;
g) foster the establishment or development of national or regional centres for training in the protection, conservation and presentation of the heritage and encourage scientific research in these fields;
h) not take any deliberate measures that directly or indirectly damage their heritage or that of another State Party to the Convention;
i) submit to the World Heritage Committee an inventory of properties suitable for inscription on the World Heritage List (referred to as a Tentative List);
j) make regular contributions to the World Heritage Fund, the amount of which is determined by the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention;
k) consider and encourage the establishment of national, public and private foundations or associations to facilitate donations for the protection of World Heritage;
l) give assistance to international fund-raising campaigns organized for the World Heritage Fund;
m) use educational and information programmes to strengthen appreciation and respect by their peoples of the cultural and natural heritage defined in Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention, and to keep the public informed of the dangers threatening this heritage;
n) provide information to the World Heritage Committee on the implementation of the World Heritage Convention and state of conservation of properties;
o) contribute to and comply with the sustainable development objectives, including gender equality, in the World Heritage processes and in their heritage conservation and management systems.”
Theme: | 1.4 - Heritage policies at national level |
Source: | OG Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (WHC.19/01 - 10 July 2019) |
Theme: | 1.4 - Heritage policies at national level |
Decision: | 41 COM 5C |
4. "[The World Heritage Committee] (...) requests the States Parties to take a systematic and holistic approach to mainstreaming the WH-SDP [(Policy Document for the integration of a sustainable development perspective into the processes of the World Heritage Convention)] into their national and local policies, processes, and initiatives related to the implementation of the Convention and to development in and around World Heritage properties."
Theme: | 1.4 - Heritage policies at national level |
Decision: | 43 COM 5C |
The World Heritage Policy Compendium was elaborated thanks to the generous contribution of the Government of Australia.
The World Heritage Policy Compendium On-line tool was developed thanks to the generous contribution of the Government of Korea.