The General Assembly,
- Having examined Document WHC-15/20.GA/10 and recalling document WHC-15/39.COM/13A which contains the outcomes of the ad hoc working group that examined the issues related to working methods of the evaluation and decision-making process of nomination,
- Recalling also Decisions 39 COM 13A and 39 COM 11,
- Expresses its appreciation to the German leadership and the delegates of Algeria, Finland, Germany, India, Jamaica, Japan, Lebanon, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Senegal, Serbia, and the United Republic of Tanzania, as well as the representatives of the Advisory Bodies and the World Heritage Centre for their work;
- Welcomes the reflections and recommendations of the ad hoc working group with regard to the working methods of the evaluation and decision-making process of nomination;
- Conveys its appreciation to ICOMOS for introducing new evaluation procedures, especially for enhancing the consultation and dialogue with the States Parties as requested in Decision 38 COM 13, and welcomes the responsiveness of ICOMOS and IUCN to further strengthen dialogue and consultation with nominating States Parties while respecting the independence of the Advisory Bodies;
- Welcomes the revisions of the Operational Guidelines which reflect some of the recommendations of the ad hoc working group;
- Welcomes the extension of the mandate of the ad hoc working group composed of, in principle, two members from each regional group, and one extra regional group representative who is not a member of the World Heritage Committee, established at the 38th session (Doha, 2014) to be convened by Turkey, to further discuss and make recommendations on Paragraph 61 as well as on the sustainability of the World Heritage Fund;
- Takes note of the oral report of the Chair of the ad hoc working group and requests the group to take into account the discussions held at the present session of the General Assembly in its deliberations.