Decision 40 COM 10A

Progress report on the Periodic Reporting Reflection (2015-2017)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/10A,
2. Recalling Decision 39 COM 10B.5, adopted at its 39th session (Bonn, 2015),
3. Also recalling that the third cycle of Periodic Reporting was suspended at its 39th session (Bonn, 2015) with the launch of a two-year Periodic Reporting Reflection Period, 2015-2017;
4. Commends the World Heritage Centre for the work undertaken, in particular with regards to the organization of the Global Periodic Reporting Reflection Survey;
5. Notes with appreciation the participation of the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention in the Global Periodic Reporting Survey and takes note of the Survey’s results;
6. Takes note of the Terms of Reference of the Periodic Reporting Experts Group;
7. Also takes note that no extrabudgetary resources have been provided for hosting Periodic Reporting reflection meetings and therefore calls upon States Parties to volunteer to participate in a consultative testing phase of the revised questionnaire, to be carried out online in the first quarter of 2017;
8. Also reiterates its request to the World Heritage Centre to present for examination by the World Heritage Committee an updated format of the questionnaire and proposals for improving the process, relevance, analysis and use of data, as well as a proposal of a revised version of Chapter V of the Operational Guidelines (Periodic Reporting on the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention) and Annex 7 (Format for the Periodic Reporting of the application of the World Heritage Convention), at its 41st session in 2017.