The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/21/44.COM/11,
- Recalling Decisions 42 COM 12A, 43 COM 8 and 43 COM 12 adopted at its 42nd (Manama, 2018) and 43rd (Baku, 2019) sessions respectively,
- Expresses appreciation to the Ad-hoc Working Group, the State Party of the People’s Republic of China for its commitment and able leadership, the World Heritage Centre, the Advisory Bodies and the geographically and gender balanced small expert drafting group, for its work and recommendations;
- Endorses the recommendations of the Ad-hoc Working Group, and requests that:
- The World Heritage Centre, subject to available funding, in cooperation with the Advisory Bodies, develop guidance and related training courses for the States Parties at the regional level to present the changes to the nomination process, and ensure the constructive dialogue and support for States Parties in the implementation of the reform,
- The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies update the Resource Manual for Preparing World Heritage Nominations and encourages States Parties to contribute to this end;
- Convinced that the most appropriate means for restoring and enhancing the credibility and balance of the World Heritage List is, inter alia, the development of high quality nominations for sites which have a strong potential to succeed, through enhanced dialogue between the States Parties and the Advisory Bodies from a very early stage,
- Decides to adopt the reformed nomination process, with the Preliminary Assessment as a first phase of the nomination process, and with the current mechanism - as described in the current paragraph 128 of the Operational Guidelines - as a second phase;
- Also decides to extend the mandate of the Ad-hoc Working Group, in two sub-groups, to be composed of members of the Committee and up to two non-members per Electoral Group, including the Committee members outgoing in 2021, to:
Sub-group 1:
Analyse and propose sustainable and innovative solutions – including the cost-sharing mechanism described in Paragraph 168bis of the Operational Guidelines - for financing of the nomination process including the Preliminary Assessment, with the aim to improve transparency, cost efficiency and identify possible synergies, overlaps and potential cost-saving measures to be taken into account in the reformed evaluation cycle;
Sub-group 2:
a) Analyse and present concrete proposals on the following:(i) Ensuring long term financial sustainability of all current and potential new Convention funds,
(ii) Transparency, efficiency and potential cost savings on the use of Convention financial resources (World Heritage Fund, UNESCO regular budget, and voluntary contributions),
(iii) Mapping of current and potential additional advisory service providers, with a view to improving geographical balance,
(iv) The possibility of exploring the criteria and governance under which the Committee may cooperate with international and non-governmental organizations in accordance with Articles 13.7 and 14.2 of the Convention as well as Paragraph 38 of the Operational Guidelines;
b) Continue dialogue regarding feasible procedures related to Article 11.3 of the Convention;
8. Further decides that the Ad-hoc Working Group shall work in consultation with the World Heritage Centre, Advisory Bodies and, as appropriate, relevant stakeholders, and requests the submission of the documents described in Decision 44 COM 14 Paragraph 22 as well as other relevant documents and background information to facilitate the work of the Ad-hoc Working Group, and submit its report and recommendations to the 45th session of the Committee.