Progress Report on the Upstream Processes

WHC/16/40.COM/9A

At its 32nd session (Quebec City, 2008), the World Heritage Committee launched a process of reflection on the future of the World Heritage Convention.

In this framework, the Committee, aware of the challenges that exist in the process for nominating a property to the World Heritage List, proposed an initiative entitled Upstream Processes. The aim was to find options for improving and strengthening the current nomination process. In 2011, the Committee, through Decision 35 COM 12C, took note of the selection of 10 pilot projects to explore creative approaches and new forms of guidance that might be provided to States Parties when considering nomination projects prior to the preparation of a dossier.

At the 39th session of the Committee (Bonn, 2015), the Upstream Processes were included in the text of the Operational Guidelines.

Further to Decision 39 COM 9A, this document presents a report on the  implementation of the pilot projects since the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee.