The expert meeting on "Evaluation of general principles and criteria for nominations of natural World Heritage sites" was held from 22 to 24 March 1996 at the Parc National de la Vanoise (France) at the kind invitation of the French Ministry for the Environment. Twenty experts representing natural and cultural heritage disciplines participated in their individual capacity (see List of Participants in Annex I).
The meeting reviewed background papers prepared by Mr. Bing Lucas, Mr. Henry Cleere, Mr. Adrian Phillips and Mr. Michel Le Berre (the titles of these and other working documents are listed in Annex II). The expert group adopted a revised agenda (see Annex III) focussing on three issues: 1. Clarifying concepts, 2. Getting a better coverage of natural sites and 3. Balance, manageability and credibility.