WHC.15/01
8 July 2015

Operational Guidelines for the
Implementation of theWorld Heritage Convention
UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFICAND CULTURAL ORGANISATIONNIO MUN
MO
D
RI

I
ER
WORLD HNEM•

ONDIAL •

L
IA

PA
T

INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEEFOR THE PROTECTION OF THE

TA
GE •
OI
PATRIM

United Nations
Cultural Organization

World
Heritage
Convention

WORLD CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE

WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE

The Operational Guidelines are periodically revised to reflect the decisions of the World Heritage
Committee. Please verify that you are using the latest version of the Operational Guidelines by checking
the date of the Operational Guidelines on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Web address indicatedbelow.
The Operational Guidelines (in English and French), the text of the World Heritage Convention (in fivelanguages), and other documents and information concerning World Heritage are available from theWorld Heritage Centre:
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
7, place de Fontenoy
75352 Paris 07 SP
FranceTel:+33 (0)1 4568 1876
Fax:
+33 (0)1 4568 5570
E-mail:wh-info@unesco.org
Links:
http://whc.unesco.org/
http://whc.unesco.org/en/guidelines (English)
http://whc.unesco.org/fr/orientations (French)ii

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Number

Paragraph Number(s)ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONSIINTRODUCTIONI.A

The Operational Guidelines....................................................................................................1-3

I.B

The World Heritage Convention ............................................................................................4-9

I.C

The States Parties to the World Heritage Convention .................................................... 10-16

I.D

The General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention .............. 17-18

I.E

The World Heritage Committee ...................................................................................... 19-26

I.F

The Secretariat to the World Heritage Committee (World Heritage Centre)........... 27-29

I.G

Advisory Bodies to the World Heritage Committee...................................................... 30-37
ICCROM...............................................................................................................................32-33
ICOMOS ...............................................................................................................................34-35
IUCN .....................................................................................................................................36-37

I.H

Other organizations ................................................................................................................. 38

I.I

Partners in the protection of World Heritage ................................................................ 39-40

I.J

Other Conventions, Recommendations and Programmes ........................................... 41-44

II

THE WORLD HERITAGE LISTII.ADefinition of World Heritage ........................................................................................... 45-43
Cultural and Natural Heritage ................................................................................................... 45
Mixed Cultural and Natural Heritage........................................................................................ 46
Cultural landscapes .................................................................................................................... 47
Movable Heritage ...................................................................................................................... 48
Outstanding Universal Value ...............................................................................................49-53

II.B

A Representative, Balanced and Credible World Heritage List ................................. 54-61
The Global Strategy for a Representative,
Balanced and Credible World Heritage List ........................................................................55-58
Other measures .....................................................................................................................59-61

II.C

Tentative Lists .................................................................................................................... 62-76
Procedure and Format...........................................................................................................62-69
Tentative Lists as a planning and evaluation tool ................................................................70-73
Assistance and Capacity-Building for States Parties
in the preparation of Tentative Lists ...................................................................................74-76

II.D

Criteria for the assessment of Outstanding Universal Value ....................................... 77-78

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

iii

II.E

Integrity and/or authenticity ............................................................................................ 79-95
Authenticity ..........................................................................................................................79-86
Integrity .................................................................................................................................87-95

II.F

Protection and management........................................................................................... 96-119
Legislative, regulatory and contractual measures for protection ............................................. 98
Boundaries for effective protection....................................................................................99-102
Buffer zones ......................................................................................................................103-107
Management systems........................................................................................................108-118
Sustainable use......................................................................................................................... 119

III

PROCESS FOR THE INSCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES ON THE WORLDHERITAGE LIST

III.A

Preparation of Nominations ......................................................................................... 120-128

III.B

Format and content of nominations ............................................................................ 129-133
1. Identification of the Property ........................................................................................... 132.1
2. Description of the Property .............................................................................................. 132.2
3. Justification for Inscription............................................................................................... 132.3
4. State of conservation and factors affecting the property ................................................. 132.4
5. Protection and management ............................................................................................. 132.5
6. Monitoring ........................................................................................................................ 132.6
7. Documentation.................................................................................................................. 132.7
8. Contact Information of responsible authorities ............................................................... 132.8
9. Signature on behalf of the State Party.............................................................................. 132.9
10. Number of printed copies required (including maps annexed) ................................... 132.10
11. Paper and electronic format.......................................................................................... 132.11
12. Sending ......................................................................................................................... 132.12

III.C

Requirements for the nomination of different types of properties .......................... 134-139
Transboundary properties .................................................................................................134-136
Serial properties ................................................................................................................137-139

III.D

Registration of nominations ......................................................................................... 140-142

III.E

Evaluation of nominations by the Advisory Bodies................................................... 143-151

III.F

Withdrawal of nominations .................................................................................................. 152

III.G

Decision of the World Heritage Committee ............................................................... 153-160
Inscription .........................................................................................................................154-157
Decision not to inscribe ........................................................................................................... 158
Referral of Nominations .......................................................................................................... 159
Deferral of Nominations .......................................................................................................... 160

III.H

iv

Nominations to be processed on an emergency basis ................................................ 161-162

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

III.I

Modifications to the boundaries, to the criteria used
to justify inscription or to the name of a World Heritage property ........................ 163-167
Minor modifications to the boundaries ............................................................................163-164
Significant modifications to the boundaries............................................................................ 165
Modifications to the criteria used to justify inscription on the World Heritage List ............. 166
Modification to the name of a World Heritage property ........................................................ 167

III.J

Timetable – overview ............................................................................................................ 168

IV

PROCESS FOR MONITORING THE STATE OF CONSERVATION OF WORLDHERITAGE PROPERTIES

IV.A

Reactive Monitoring ...................................................................................................... 169-176
Definition of Reactive Monitoring .......................................................................................... 169
Objective of Reactive Monitoring....................................................................................170-171
Information received from States Parties and/or other sources .......................................172-174
Decision by the World Heritage Committee....................................................................175-176

IV.B

The List of World Heritage in Danger ........................................................................ 177-191
Guidelines for the inscription of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger .......... 177
Criteria for the inscription of properties
on the List of World Heritage in Danger .........................................................................178-182
Regular review of the state of conservation of properties
on the List of World Heritage in Danger .........................................................................183-189

IV.C

Procedure for the eventual deletionof properties from the World Heritage List ............................................................... 190-191

V

PERIODIC REPORTING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLDHERITAGE CONVENTION

V.A

Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 199-202

V.B

Procedure and Format .................................................................................................. 203-207

V.C

Evaluation and Follow Up ............................................................................................ 208-210

VI

ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FOR THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION

VI.A

Objectives ............................................................................................................................... 211

VI.B

Capacity-building and research ................................................................................... 212-216
The Global Training Strategy .................................................................................................. 213
National training strategies and regional co-operation ........................................................... 214
Research ................................................................................................................................... 215
International Assistance........................................................................................................... 216

VI.C

Awareness-raising and education ................................................................................ 217-222
Awareness-raising ............................................................................................................217-218
Education ................................................................................................................................. 219

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Conventionv

International Assistance....................................................................................................220-222
VII

THE WORLD HERITAGE FUND AND INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

VII.A

The World Heritage Fund ............................................................................................ 223-224

VII.B

Mobilization of other technical and financial resources andpartnerships in support of the World Heritage Convention ...................................... 225-232

VII.C

International Assistance................................................................................................ 233-235

VII.D

Principles and priorities for International Assistance .............................................. 236-240

VII.E

Summary Table...................................................................................................................... 241

VII.F

Procedure and format ................................................................................................... 242-246

VII.G

Evaluation and approval of International Assistance requests ............................... 247-254

VII.H

Contractual Arrangements .................................................................................................. 255

VII.I

Evaluation and follow-up of International Assistance .............................................. 256-257

VIII

THE WORLD HERITAGE EMBLEM

VIII.A

Preamble ......................................................................................................................... 258-265

VIII.B

Applicability ........................................................................................................................... 266

VIII.C

Responsibilities of States Parties.......................................................................................... 267

VIII.D

Increasing proper uses of the World Heritage Emblem ........................................... 268-274
Production of plaques to commemorate the inscriptionof properties on the World Heritage List .........................................................................269-274

VIII.E

Principles on the use of the World Heritage Emblem....................................................... 275

VIII.F

Authorization procedure for the use of the World Heritage Emblem .................... 276-278
Simple agreement of the national authorities...................................................................276-277
Agreement requiring quality control of content ..................................................................... 278

VIII.G

Right of States Parties to exert quality control .................................................................. 279

IX

INFORMATION SOURCES

IX.A

Information archived by the Secretariat .................................................................... 280-284

IX.B

Specific Information for World Heritage Committee members
and other States Parties ................................................................................................ 285-287

IX.C

Information and publications available to the public ............................................... 288-290

viOperational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Pages Numbers
ANNEXES ................................................................................................................................................... 65
Model Instrument of Ratification / Acceptance..................................................................................... 66
Model Instrument Of Accession ............................................................................................................... 67
Tentative List Submission Format .......................................................................................................... 68
Tentative List Submission Format for Transnational and Transboundary Future Nominations ... 69
Guidelines on the inscription of specific types of properties on the World Heritage List ............... 71
Authenticity in Relation to the World Heritage Convention .................................................................. 79
Format for the nomination of properties for inscription on the World Heritage List ..................... 84
Evaluation procedures of the Advisory Bodies for nominations .......................................................... 97
Format for the periodic reporting on the application of the World Heritage Convention ............... 106
International Assistance Request Form................................................................................................. 114
Evaluation criteria of the Advisory Bodies for International Assistance requests ......................... 132
Statement of Outstanding Universal Value........................................................................................... 135
Modifications to World Heritage Properties ........................................................................................ 136
Form for the submission of Factual Errors in the Advisory Bodies Evaluations............................. 138
Format for the submission of State of Conservation Reports by the States Parties ...................... 139
Table of uses of the World Heritage Emblem ...................................................................................... 140
SELECT WORLD HERITAGE BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................... 159

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Conventionvii

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONSDoCoMoMo

International Committee for the Documentation and Conservation of Monuments andSites of the Modern Movement

ICCROM

International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural
Property

ICOMOSInternational Council on Monuments and Sites

IFLAInternational Federation of Landscape Architects

IUCN

International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

IUGS

International Union of Geological Sciences

MAB

Man and the Biosphere programme of UNESCO

NGO

Non-governmental organization

TICCIHInternational Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage

UNEP

United Nations Environment Programme

UNEP-WCMCWorld Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP)UNESCO

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

viii

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

I

INTRODUCTIONI.A

The Operational Guidelines

1.

The Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage
Convention (hereinafter referred to as the Operational Guidelines) aim tofacilitate the implementation of the Convention concerning the Protectionof the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (hereinafter referred to as "theWorld Heritage Convention" or "the Convention”), by setting forth theprocedure for:a)the inscription of properties on the World Heritage List and theList of World Heritage in Danger;b)

the protection and conservation of World Heritage properties;c)the granting of International Assistance under the World Heritage
Fund; andd)the mobilization of national and international support in favor of
the Convention.

2.

The Operational Guidelines are periodically revised to reflect the decisionsof the World Heritage Committee.

3.

The key users of the Operational Guidelines are:a)the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention;b)

the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the Cultural
and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, hereinafterreferred to as "the World Heritage Committee" or “theCommittee”;c)the UNESCO World Heritage Centre as Secretariat to the World
Heritage Committee, hereinafter referred to as "the Secretariat”;

d)the Advisory Bodies to the World Heritage Committee ;e)site managers, stakeholders and partners in the protection of World
Heritage properties.

I.B

The World Heritage Convention

4.

The cultural and natural heritage is among the priceless and irreplaceable
assets, not only of each nation, but of humanity as a whole. The loss,
through deterioration or disappearance, of any of these most prized assets
constitutes an impoverishment of the heritage of all the peoples of the world.
Parts of that heritage, because of their exceptional qualities, can beconsidered to be of “Outstanding Universal Value” and as such worthy of
special protection against the dangers which increasingly threaten them.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

The historical development of
the Operational Guidelines isavailable at the following Web
address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/guideli
neshistorical1

5.

To ensure, as far as possible, the proper identification, protection,conservation and presentation of the world's heritage, the Member States of
UNESCO adopted the World Heritage Convention in 1972. The
Convention foresees the establishment of a "World Heritage Committee"
and a "World Heritage Fund". Both the Committee and the Fund have beenin operation since 1976.

6.

Since the adoption of the Convention in 1972, the international community
has embraced the concept of "sustainable development". The protection andconservation of the natural and cultural heritage are a significant
contribution to sustainable development.

7.

The Convention aims at the identification, protection, conservation,
presentation and transmission to future generations of cultural and natural
heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.

8.

The criteria and conditions for the inscription of properties on the World
Heritage List have been developed to evaluate the Outstanding Universal
Value of properties and to guide States Parties in the protection andmanagement of World Heritage properties.

9.

When a property inscribed on the World Heritage List is threatened byserious and specific dangers, the Committee considers placing it on the Listof World Heritage in Danger. When the Outstanding Universal Value of theproperty which justified its inscription on the World Heritage List isdestroyed, the Committee considers deleting the property from the World
Heritage List.

I.C

The States Parties to the World Heritage Convention

10.

States are encouraged to become party to the Convention. Model
instruments for ratification/acceptance and accession are included as Annex
1. The original signed version should be sent to the Director-General of
UNESCO.

11.

The list of States Parties to the Convention is available at the following
Web address: http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties

12.

States Parties to the Convention are encouraged to ensure the participationof a wide variety of stakeholders, including site managers, local andregional governments, local communities, non-governmental organizations(NGOs) and other interested parties and partners in the identification,
nomination and protection of World Heritage properties.

13.

States Parties to the Convention should provide the Secretariat with thenames and addresses of the governmental organization(s) primarily
responsible as national focal point(s) for the implementation of theConvention, so that copies of all official correspondence and documents canbe sent by the Secretariat to these national focal points as appropriate. A listof these addresses is available at the following Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/statespartiesfocalpoints

14.

States Parties are encouraged to bring together their cultural and natural
heritage experts at regular intervals to discuss the implementation of theConvention. States Parties may wish to involve representatives of theAdvisory Bodies and other experts as appropriate.

2

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

15.

While fully respecting the sovereignty of the States on whose territory thecultural and natural heritage is situated, States Parties to the Convention
recognize the collective interest of the international community to cooperate
in the protection of this heritage. States Parties to the World Heritage
Convention, have the responsibility to:a)ensure the identification, nomination, protection, conservation,
presentation, and transmission to future generations of the culturaland natural heritage found within their territory, and give help inthese tasks to other States Parties that request it;b)adopt general policies to give the heritage a function in the life of
the community;c)integrate heritage
programmes;d)establish services for the protection, conservation and presentationof the heritage;e)develop scientific and technical studies to identify actions thatwould counteract the dangers that threaten the heritage;f)take appropriate legal, scientific, technical, administrative andfinancial measures to protect the heritage;g)

foster the establishment or development of national or regional
centres for training in the protection, conservation and presentationof the heritage and encourage scientific research in these fields;h)not take any deliberate measures that directly or indirectly damage
their heritage or that of another State Party to the Convention;

Article 6(3) of the World
Heritage Convention.

i)submit to the World Heritage Committee an inventory of properties
suitable for inscription on the World Heritage List (referred to as aTentative List);

Article 11(1) of the World
Heritage Convention.

j)make regular contributions to the World Heritage Fund, the amountof which is determined by the General Assembly of States Parties
to the Convention;

Article 16(1) of the World
Heritage Convention.

k)consider and encourage the establishment of national, public andprivate foundations or associations to facilitate donations for theprotection of World Heritage;

Article 17 of the World
Heritage Convention.

l)give assistance to international fund-raising campaigns organized
for the World Heritage Fund;

Article 18 of the World
Heritage Convention.

m) use educational and information programmes to strengthen
appreciation and respect by their peoples of the cultural and natural
heritage defined in Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention, and to keep
the public informed of the dangers threatening this heritage;

Article 27 of the World
Heritage Convention.

n)

16.

Article 6(1) of the World
Heritage Convention.

protection

intocomprehensive

Article 4 and 6(2) of the World
Heritage Convention.

Article 5 of the World Heritage
Convention.

planning

provide information to the World Heritage Committee on theimplementation of the World Heritage Convention and state ofconservation of properties; andStates Parties are encouraged to attend sessions of the World Heritage
Committee and its subsidiary bodies.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Article 29 of the World
Heritage Convention.
Resolution adopted by the 11th
General Assembly of States
Parties (1997)
Rule 8.1 of the Rules ofProcedure of the World
Heritage Committee.

3

I.D

The General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage
Convention

17.

The General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention
meets during the sessions of the General Conference of UNESCO. The
General Assembly manages its meetings according to its Rules ofProcedure, available at the following Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/garules

Article 8(1), of the World
Heritage Convention, Rule 49of the Rules of Procedure of theWorld Heritage Committee.

18.

The General Assembly determines the uniform percentage of contributions
to the World Heritage Fund applicable to all States Parties and elects
members to the World Heritage Committee. Both the General Assemblyand General Conference of UNESCO receive a report from the World
Heritage Committee on its activities.

Articles 8(1), 16(1) and 29 of
the World Heritage Convention
and Rule 49 of the Rules ofProcedure of the World
Heritage Committee.

I.E

The World Heritage Committee

19.

The World Heritage Committee is composed of 21 members and meets atleast once a year (June/July). It establishes its Bureau, which meets during
the sessions of the Committee as frequently as deemed necessary. The
composition of the Committee and its Bureau is available at the following
Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/committeemembers

20.

The Committee manages its meetings according to its Rules of Procedure,
available at the following Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/committeerules

21.

The term of office of Committee members is six years but, in order toensure equitable representation and rotation, States Parties are invited by
the General Assembly to consider voluntarily reducing their term of officefrom six to four years and are discouraged from seeking consecutive termsof office.

22.

A certain number of seats may be reserved for States Parties who do nothave a property on the World Heritage List, upon decision of theCommittee at the session that precedes the General Assembly.

23.

Committee decisions are based on objective and scientific considerations,and any appraisal made on its behalf must be thoroughly and responsibly
carried out. The Committee recognizes that such decisions depend upon:4a)carefully prepared documentation;b)thorough and consistent procedures;c)evaluation by qualified experts; andd)if necessary, the use of expert referees.

The World Heritage Committee
can be contacted through its
Secretariat, the World Heritage
Centre.

Article 9(1) of the World
Heritage Convention.
Article 8(2) of the World
Heritage Convention and the
Resolutions of the 7th (1989),
12th (1999) and 13th (2001)
General Assembly of States
Parties to the World Heritage
Convention.
Rule 14.1 of the Rules ofProcedure of the General
Assembly of States Parties.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

24.

The main functions of the Committee are, in co-operation with States
Parties, to:a)identify, on the basis of Tentative Lists and nominations submitted
by States Parties, cultural and natural properties of Outstanding
Universal Value which are to be protected under the Convention
and to inscribe those properties on the World Heritage List;b)

examine the state of conservation of properties inscribed on theWorld Heritage List through processes of Reactive Monitoring (seeChapter IV) and Periodic Reporting (see Chapter V);

Articles 11(7) and 29 of theWorld Heritage Convention.

c)decide which properties inscribed on the World Heritage List are to
be inscribed on, or removed from the List of World Heritage in
Danger;

Article 11(4) and 11(5) of theWorld Heritage Convention.

d)decide whether a property should be deleted from the World
Heritage List (see Chapter IV);e)define the procedure by which requests for International Assistanceare to be considered and carry out studies and consultations asnecessary before coming to a decision (see Chapter VII);f)determine how the resources of the World Heritage Fund can beused most advantageously to assist States Parties in the protectionof their properties of Outstanding Universal Value;g)seek ways to increase the World Heritage Fund;h)submit a report on its activities every two years to the General
Assembly of States Parties and to the UNESCO General
Conference;i)review and evaluate periodically the implementation of theConvention;j)revise and adopt the Operational Guidelines.

Article 11(2) of the World
Heritage Convention.

Article 21(1) and 21(3) of theWorld Heritage Convention.

Article 13(6) of the World
Heritage Convention.

Article 29(3) of the World
Heritage Convention and Rule
49 of the Rules of procedure of
the World Heritage Committee.

25.

In order to facilitate the implementation of the Convention, the Committee
develops Strategic Objectives; they are periodically reviewed and revised todefine the goals and objectives of the Committee to ensure that new threats
placed on World Heritage are addressed effectively.

The first ‘Strategic Orientations’adopted by the Committee in1992 are contained in Annex II
of document
WHC-92/CONF.002/12

26.

The current Strategic Objectives (also referred to as “the 5 Cs”) are thefollowing:

In 2002 the World Heritage
Committee revised its Strategic
Objectives. The Budapest
Declaration on World Heritage(2002) is available at thefollowing Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/budap
estdeclaration

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Strengthen the Credibility of the World Heritage List;
Ensure the effective Conservation of World Heritage Properties;
Promote the development of effective Capacity-building in States
Parties;
Increase public awareness, involvement and support for World
Heritage through Communication.
Enhance the role of Communities in the implementation of the World
Heritage Convention.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Decision 31 COM 13B

5

I.F

The
Secretariat
to(World Heritage Centre)

27.

The World Heritage Committee is assisted by a Secretariat appointed by the
Director-General of UNESCO. The function of the Secretariat is currently
assumed by the World Heritage Centre, established in 1992 specifically forthis purpose. The Director-General designated the Director of the World
Heritage Centre as Secretary to the Committee. The Secretariat assists andcollaborates with the States Parties and the Advisory Bodies. The
Secretariat works in close co-operation with other sectors and field officesof UNESCO.

28.

the

World

Heritage

Committee

UNESCO World Heritage Centre
7, place de Fontenoy
75352 Paris 07 SP
FranceTel: +33 (0) 1 4568 1276
E-mail: wh-info@unesco.org
www: http://whc.unesco.org/
Article 14 of the World
Heritage Convention.
Rule 43 of Rules of Procedureof the World Heritage
Committee.
Circular Letter 16 of 21 October
2003
http://whc.unesco.org/circs/circ03-16e.pdf

The Secretariat's main tasks are:a)the organization of the meetings of the General Assembly and theCommittee;b)

the implementation of decisions of the World Heritage Committee
and resolutions of the General Assembly and reporting to them on
their execution;c)the receipt, registration, checking the completeness, archiving andtransmission to the relevant Advisory Bodies of nominations to theWorld Heritage List;d)the co-ordination of studies and activities as part of the Global
Strategy for a Representative, Balanced and Credible World
Heritage List;e)the organization of Periodic Reporting;f)co-ordination and conduct of Reactive Monitoring, including
Reactive Monitoring missions 1 , as well coordination of andparticipation in Advisory missions2, as appropriate;g)the co-ordination of International Assistance;

Article 14.2 of the World
Heritage Convention.
Article 14.2 of the World
Heritage Convention and the
Budapest Declaration on World
Heritage (2002)
Decision 39 COM 11

1 Reactive Monitoring missions are part of the statutory reporting by the Secretariat and the Advisory Bodies to the World

Heritage Committee on the state of conservation of specific properties that are under threat (see Paragraph 169). They arerequested by the World Heritage Committee to ascertain, in consultation with the State Party concerned, the condition of
the property, the dangers to the property and the feasibility of adequately restoring the property or to assess progress madein implementing such corrective measures, and include a reporting back to the Committee on the findings of the mission(see Paragraph 176.e). The terms of reference of Reactive Monitoring missions are proposed by the World Heritage Centre,
in line with the decision adopted by the World Heritage Committee, and consolidated in consultation with the State Party
and the relevant Advisory Body(ies). The costs of the Reactive Monitoring missions are borne by the World Heritage Fund.
2
Advisory missions are not part of the strict statutory and mandatory processes, as they are voluntarily initiated by States
Parties and depend on the considerations and judgement of the States Parties requesting them. Advisory missions are to beunderstood as missions providing expert advice to a State Party on specific matters. They can concern provision of“upstream” support and advice on identification of sites, tentative lists or nomination of sites for inscription on the World
Heritage List or alternatively, they can relate to the state of conservation of properties and provide advice in evaluating
possible impact of a major development project on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, advice in the
preparation/revision of a management plan, or in the progress achieved in the implementation of specific mitigation
measures, etc. The terms of reference of Advisory missions are proposed by the State Party itself, and consolidated inconsultation with the World Heritage Centre and the relevant Advisory Bod(ies) or other organization. The entire costs ofAdvisory missions are borne by the State Party inviting the mission, except where the State Party is eligible for relevantInternational Assistance or funding from the new budget line for Advisory missions approved by Decision 38 COM 12.

6

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

h)the mobilisation of extra-budgetary resources for the conservationand management of World Heritage properties;i)the assistance to States Parties in the implementation of theCommittee's programmes and projects; andj)the promotion of World Heritage and the Convention through thedissemination of information to States Parties, the Advisory Bodies
and the general public.

29.

These activities follow the decisions and Strategic Objectives of theCommittee and the resolutions of the General Assembly of the States
Parties and are conducted in close co-operation with the Advisory Bodies.

I.G

Advisory Bodies to the World Heritage Committee

30.

The Advisory Bodies to the World Heritage Committee are ICCROM (theInternational Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration ofCultural Property), ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments andSites), and IUCN - the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

31.

The roles of the Advisory Bodies are to:Article 8.3 of the World
Heritage Conventiona)advise on the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in
the field of their expertise;

Article 13.7 of the World
Heritage Convention.

b)

assist the Secretariat, in the preparation of the Committee's
documentation, the agenda of its meetings and the implementationof the Committee’s decisions;

Decision 39 COM 11c)assist with the development and implementation of the Global
Strategy for a Representative, Balanced and Credible World
Heritage List, the Global Training Strategy, Periodic Reporting,and the strengthening of the effective use of the World Heritage
Fund;

d)

monitor the state of conservation of World Heritage properties(including through Reactive Monitoring missions at the request of
the Committee and Advisory missions at the invitation of the States
Parties) and review requests for International Assistance;e)in the case of ICOMOS and IUCN evaluate properties nominatedfor inscription on the World Heritage List, in consultation anddialogue with nominating States Parties, and present evaluation
reports to the Committee; andf)attend meetings of the World Heritage Committee and the Bureau
in an advisory capacity.

Article 14.2 of the World
Heritage Convention.

Article 8.3 of the World
Heritage Convention.

ICCROM

32.

ICCROM (the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and
Restoration of Cultural Property) is an international intergovernmentalorganization with headquarters in Rome, Italy. Established by UNESCO in
1956, ICCROM's statutory functions are to carry out research,documentation, technical assistance, training and public awarenessprogrammes to strengthen conservation of immovable and moveable
cultural heritage.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

ICCROMVia di S. Michele, 13
I-00153 Rome, Italy
Tel : +39 06 585531
Fax: +39 06 5855 3349
Email: iccrom@iccrom.org
http://www.iccrom.org/

7

33.

The specific role of ICCROM in relation to the Convention includes: being
the priority partner in training for cultural heritage, monitoring the state ofconservation of World Heritage cultural properties, reviewing requests forInternational Assistance submitted by States Parties, and providing input
and support for capacity-building activities.
ICOMOS

34.

ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites) is a nongovernmental organization with headquarters in Paris, France. Founded in
1965, its role is to promote the application of theory, methodology andscientific techniques to the conservation of the architectural andarchaeological heritage. Its work is based on the principles of the 1964
International Charter on the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments
and Sites (the Venice Charter).

35.

The specific role of ICOMOS in relation to the Convention includes:
evaluation of properties nominated for inscription on the World Heritage
List, monitoring the state of conservation of World Heritage culturalproperties, reviewing requests for International Assistance submitted by
States Parties, and providing input and support for capacity-building
activities.

ICOMOS
11 rue du Séminaire de
Conflans
94220 Charenton-le-Pont
FranceTel : +33 (0)1 41 94 17 59
Fax : +33 (0)1 48 93 19 16
E-mail: secretariat@icomos.org
http://www.icomos.org/

IUCN

36.

IUCN – The International Union for Conservation of Nature was founded
in 1948 and brings together national governments, NGOs, and scientists ina worldwide partnership. Its mission is to influence, encourage and assist
societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity ofnature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable andecologically sustainable. IUCN has its headquarters in Gland, Switzerland.

37.

The specific role of IUCN in relation to the Convention includes: evaluationof properties nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List,
monitoring the state of conservation of World Heritage natural properties,
reviewing requests for International Assistance submitted by States Parties,
and providing input and support for capacity-building activities.

I.H

Other organizations

38.

The Committee may call on other international and non-governmentalorganizations with appropriate competence and expertise to assist in theimplementation of the programmes and projects, including for Reactive
Monitoring missions.

I.I

Partners in the protection of World Heritage

39.

A partnership approach to nomination, management and monitoring
provides a significant contribution to the protection of World Heritage
properties and the implementation of the Convention.

8

IUCN - The International
Union for Conservation of
Naturerue Mauverney 28
CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland
Tel: + 41 22 999 0001
Fax: +41 22 999 0010
E-Mail: mail@hq.iucn.org
http://www.iucn.org

Decision 39 COM 11

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention40.

Partners in the protection and conservation of World Heritage can be thoseindividuals and other stakeholders, especially local communities,
indigenous peoples, governmental, non-governmental and privateorganizations and owners who have an interest and involvement in theconservation and management of a World Heritage property.

I.J

Other Conventions, Recommendations and Programmes

41.

The World Heritage Committee recognizes the benefits of closer coordination of its work with other UNESCO programmes and their relevant
Conventions. For a list of relevant global conservation instruments,
Conventions and programmes see paragraph 44.

42.

The World Heritage Committee with the support of the Secretariat will
ensure appropriate co-ordination and information-sharing between theWorld Heritage Convention and other Conventions, programmes andinternational organizations related to the conservation of cultural andnatural heritage.

43.

The Committee may invite representatives of the intergovernmental bodies
under related Conventions to attend its meetings as observers. It may
appoint a representative to observe meetings of the other intergovernmental
bodies upon receipt of an invitation.

44.

Selected global Conventions and programmes relating to the protectionof cultural and natural heritage

The Declaration on the Rights
of Indigenous Peoples (2007)
Decision 39 COM 11

Decision 39 COM 11

UNESCO Conventions and Programmes
Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed
Conflict (1954)
Protocol I (1954)
Protocol II (1999)
http://www.unesco.org/culture/laws/hague/html_eng/page1.shtml

Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import,
Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (1970)
http://www.unesco.org/culture/laws/1970/html_eng/page1.shtml

Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural
Heritage (1972)
http://www.unesco.org/whc/world_he.htm

Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (2001)
http://www.unesco.org/culture/laws/underwater/html_eng/ Convention.shtml

Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003)
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001325/132540e.pdf

Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme
http://www.unesco.org/mab/Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural
Expressions 2005
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001429/142919e.pdf

Other Conventions

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

9

Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as
Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar) (1971)
http://www.ramsar.org/key_conv_e.htm

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES) (1973)
http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/text.shtml

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals(CMS) (1979)
http://www.unep-wcmc.org/cms/cms_conv.htm

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) (1982)
http://www.un.org/Depts/los/Convention_agreements/texts/unclos/closindx.htm
Convention on Biological Diversity (1992)
http://www.biodiv.org/ Convention/articles.asp
UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects(Rome, 1995)
http://www.unidroit.org/english/ Conventions/culturalproperty/c-cult.htm

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (New York,
1992)
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/ Convention/background/items/1350.php

II

THE WORLD HERITAGE LISTII.ADefinition of World Heritage
Cultural and Natural Heritage

45.

Cultural and natural heritage are defined in Articles 1 and 2 of the World
Heritage Convention.
Article 1
For the purposes of this Convention, the following shall be considered as"cultural heritage";- monuments: architectural works, works of monumental sculpture andpainting, elements or structures of an archaeological nature, inscriptions,cave dwellings and combinations of features, which are of Outstanding
Universal Value from the point of view of history, art or science;- groups of buildings: groups of separate or connected buildings which,because of their architecture, their homogeneity or their place in thelandscape, are of Outstanding Universal Value from the point of view ofhistory, art or science;- sites: works of man or the combined works of nature and of man, andareas including archaeological sites which are of Outstanding Universal
Value from the historical, aesthetic, ethnological or anthropological pointsof view.

10

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Article 2
For the purposes of this Convention, the following shall be considered as"natural heritage":- natural features consisting of physical and biological formations orgroups of such formations, which are of Outstanding Universal Value fromthe aesthetic or scientific point of view;
geological and physiographical formations and precisely delineated areas
which constitute the habitat of threatened species of animals and plants of
Outstanding Universal Value from the point of view of science orconservation;- natural sites or precisely delineated natural areas of Outstanding
Universal Value from the point of view of science, conservation or natural
beauty.
Mixed Cultural and Natural Heritage

46.

Properties shall be considered as "mixed cultural and natural heritage" ifthey satisfy a part or the whole of the definitions of both cultural and natural
heritage laid out in Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention.
Cultural landscapes

47.

Cultural landscapes are cultural properties and represent the "combined
works of nature and of man" designated in Article 1 of the Convention.
They are illustrative of the evolution of human society and settlement overtime, under the influence of the physical constraints and/or opportunities
presented by their natural environment and of successive social, economic
and cultural forces, both external and internal.

Annex 3

Movable Heritage48.

Nominations of immovable heritage which are likely to become movable
will not be considered.
Outstanding Universal Value

49.

Outstanding Universal Value means cultural and/or natural significancewhich is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be ofcommon importance for present and future generations of all humanity. As
such, the permanent protection of this heritage is of the highest importanceto the international community as a whole. The Committee defines thecriteria for the inscription of properties on the World Heritage List.

50.

States Parties are invited to submit nominations of properties of cultural
and/or natural value considered to be of "Outstanding Universal Value" forinscription on the World Heritage List.

51.

At the time of inscription of a property on the World Heritage List, theCommittee adopts a Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (seeparagraph 154) which will be the key reference for the future effective
protection and management of the property.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

11

52.

The Convention is not intended to ensure the protection of all properties ofgreat interest, importance or value, but only for a select list of the mostoutstanding of these from an international viewpoint. It is not to be assumed
that a property of national and/or regional importance will automatically beinscribed on the World Heritage List.

53.

Nominations presented to the Committee shall demonstrate the fullcommitment of the State Party to preserve the heritage concerned, within its
means. Such commitment shall take the form of appropriate policy, legal,
scientific, technical, administrative and financial measures adopted andproposed to protect the property and its Outstanding Universal Value.

II.B

A Representative, Balanced and Credible World Heritage List

54.

The Committee seeks to establish a representative, balanced and credible
World Heritage List in conformity with the four Strategic Objectives
adopted by the Committee at its 26th session (Budapest, 2002).

Budapest Declaration on World
Heritage (2002) at
http://whc.unesco.org/en/budap
estdeclaration

The Global Strategy for a Representative, Balanced and Credible World
Heritage List

55.

The Global Strategy for a Representative, Balanced and Credible World
Heritage List is designed to identify and fill the major gaps in the World
Heritage List. It does this by encouraging more countries to become States
Parties to the Convention and to develop Tentative Lists as defined inparagraph 62 and nominations of properties for inscription on the World
Heritage List.
(see http://whc.unesco.org/en/globalstrategy)

56.

States Parties and the Advisory Bodies are encouraged to participate in theimplementation of the Global Strategy in co-operation with the Secretariat
and other partners. Regional and thematic Global Strategy meetings andcomparative and thematic studies are organized for this purpose. The resultsof these meetings and studies are available to assist States Parties in
preparing Tentative Lists and nominations. The reports of the expert
meetings and studies presented to the World Heritage Committee areavailableatthefollowingWebaddress:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/globalstrategy.

57.

All efforts should be made to maintain a reasonable balance between
cultural and natural heritage on the World Heritage List.

58.

No formal limit is imposed on the total number of properties to be inscribedon the World Heritage List.

The report of the Expert
Meeting on the "Global
Strategy" and thematic studies
for a representative World
Heritage List (20-22 June 1994)
was adopted by the World
Heritage Committee at its 18th
session (Phuket, 1994).
The Global Strategy was
initially developed withreference to cultural heritage. At
the request of the World
Heritage Committee, the Global
Strategy was subsequently
expanded to also include
reference to natural heritage andcombined cultural and natural
heritage.

Other measures

59.

To promote the establishment of a representative, balanced and credible
World Heritage List, States Parties are requested to consider whether theirheritage is already well represented on the List and if so to slow down theirrate of submission of further nominations by:a)12

Resolution adopted by the 12th
General Assembly of States
Parties (1999).

spacing voluntarily their nominations according to conditions thatthey will define, and/or;

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

60.

61.

b)

proposing only properties falling into categories still underrepresented, and/or;c)linking each of their nominations with a nomination presented by aState Party whose heritage is under-represented; ord)deciding, on a voluntary basis, to suspend the presentation of new
nominations.

States Parties whose heritage of Outstanding Universal Value is underrepresented on the World Heritage List are requested to:a)give priority to the preparation of their Tentative Lists andnominations;b)initiate and consolidate partnerships at the regional level based on
the exchange of technical expertise;c)encourage bilateral and multilateral co-operation so as to increase
their expertise and the technical capacities of institutions in chargeof the protection, safeguarding and management of their heritage;
and,

d)

participate, as much as possible, in the sessions of the World
Heritage Committee.

The Committee has decided to apply the following mechanism:a)examine up to two complete nominations per State Party, provided
that at least one of such nominations concerns a natural property ora cultural landscape and,b)

set at 45 the annual limit on the number of nominations it will
review, inclusive of nominations deferred and referred by previous
sessions of the Committee, extensions (except minor modificationsof limits of the property), transboundary and serial nominations,c)the following order of priorities will be applied in case the overall
annual limit of 45 nominations is exceeded:i)nominations of properties submitted by States Parties withno properties inscribed on the List;ii)

nominations of properties submitted by States Parties having
up to 3 properties inscribed on the List,iii)

nominations of properties that have been previously
excluded due to the annual limit of 45 nominations and theapplication of these priorities,iv)

nominations of properties for natural heritage,v)

nominations of properties for mixed heritage,vi)

nominations of transboundary/transnational properties,vii)

nominations from States Parties in Africa, the Pacific and
the Caribbean,

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Resolution adopted by the 12th
General Assembly of States
Parties (1999).

Decisions
24 COM VI.2.3.3,
28 COM 13.1 and7 EXT.COM 4B.1
29 COM 18A
31 COM 10
35 COM 8B.61

13

d)

viii)

nominations of properties submitted by States Parties
having ratified the World Heritage Convention during thelast ten years,ix)

nominations of properties submitted by States Parties thathave not submitted nominations for ten years or more,x)when applying this priority system, date of receipt of fulland complete nominations by the World Heritage Centre
shall be used as a secondary factor to determine the priority
between those nominations that would not be designated by
the previous points.

the States Parties co-authors of a transboundary or transnational
serial nomination can choose, amongst themselves and with acommon understanding, the State Party which will be bearing thisnomination; and this nomination can be registered exclusively
within the ceiling of the bearing State Party.

The impact of this decision will be evaluated at the Committee's 39th
session (2015). This paragraph takes effect on 2 February 2012, in order toensure a smooth transition period for all States Parties.
II.C

Tentative Lists
Procedure and Format

62.

A Tentative List is an inventory of those properties situated on its territory
which each State Party considers suitable for nomination to the World
Heritage List. States Parties should therefore include, in their Tentative
Lists, details of those properties which they consider to be of potential
Outstanding Universal Value and which they intend to nominate during thefollowing years.

Articles 1, 2 and 11(1) of theWorld Heritage Convention.

63.

Nominations to the World Heritage List are not considered unless thenominated property has already been included on the State Party's Tentative
List.

Decision 24COM para.VI.2.3.2

64.

States Parties are encouraged to prepare their Tentative Lists with theparticipation of a wide variety of stakeholders, including site managers,
local and regional governments, local communities, NGOs and otherinterested parties and partners.

65.

States Parties shall submit Tentative Lists to the Secretariat, at least one
year prior to the submission of any nomination. States Parties areencouraged to re-examine and re-submit their Tentative List at least every
ten years.

66.

States Parties are requested to submit their Tentative Lists in English or
French using the standard formats in Annex 2A and Annex 2B (fortransnational and transboundary future nominations), containing the nameof the properties, their geographical location, a brief description of theproperties, and justification of their Outstanding Universal Value.

67.

The original duly signed version of the completed Tentative List shall be
submitted by the State Party, to:14

Decision 39 COM 11

Decision 39 COM 11

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

UNESCO World Heritage Centre
7, place de Fontenoy
75352 Paris 07 SP
FranceTel: +33 (0) 1 4568 1136
E-mail: wh-tentativelists@unesco.org

68.

Upon reception of the Tentative Lists from the States Parties, the World
Heritage Centre checks for compliance of the documentation with Annex 2.
If the documentation is not considered in compliance with Annex 2, theWorld Heritage Centre refers it back to the State Party. When all
information has been provided, the Tentative List is registered by the
Secretariat and transmitted to the relevant Advisory Bodies for information.
A summary of all Tentative Lists is presented annually to the Committee.
The Secretariat, in consultation with the States Parties concerned, updates
its records, in particular by removing from the Tentative Lists the inscribed
properties and nominated properties which were not inscribed.

Decision 7 EXT.COM 4A

69.

The Tentative Lists of States Parties are available at the following Web
address: http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists

Decision 27 COM 8A

Tentative Lists as a planning and evaluation tool70.

Tentative Lists are a useful and important planning tool for States Parties,
the World Heritage Committee, the Secretariat, and the Advisory Bodies, as
they provide an indication of future nominations.

71.

Tentative Lists should be drawn selectively and on the basis of evidence
that supports potential Outstanding Universal Value. States Parties areencouraged to consult the analyses of both the World Heritage List andTentative Lists prepared at the request of the Committee by ICOMOS and
IUCN to identify the gaps in the World Heritage List. These analyses could
enable States Parties to compare themes, regions, geo-cultural groupingsand bio-geographic provinces for prospective World Heritage properties.
States Parties are encouraged to seek as early as possible upstream advice
from the Advisory Bodiesduring the development of their Tentative Lists asappropriate.

Decision 24 COM para.
VI.2.3.2(ii)Decision 39 COM 11
Documents WHC04/28.COM/13.B I
and II
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2004/whc04-28com-13b1e.pdf
andhttp://whc.unesco.org/archive/2004/whc04-28com-13b2e.pdf

72.

In addition, States Parties are encouraged to consult the specific thematicstudies carried out by the Advisory Bodies (see paragraph 147). Thesestudies are informed by a review of the Tentative Lists submitted by States
Parties and by reports of meetings on the harmonization of Tentative Lists,
as well as by other technical studies performed by the Advisory Bodies andqualified organizations and individuals. A list of those studies alreadycompleted is available at the following Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/globalstrategy

Thematic studies are different
than the comparative analysis tobe prepared by States Parties
when nominating properties forinscription in the World
Heritage List
(see paragraph 132).

73.

States Parties are encouraged to harmonize their Tentative Lists at regional
and thematic levels. Harmonization of Tentative Lists is the process
whereby States Parties, with the assistance of the Advisory Bodies,collectively assess their respective Tentative List to review gaps andidentify common themes. The outcome of harmonization can result in
improved Tentative Lists, new nominations from States Parties and cooperation amongst groups of States Parties in the preparation of
nominations.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

15

Assistance and Capacity-Building for States Parties in the preparation of
Tentative Lists

74.

To implement the Global Strategy, cooperative efforts in capacity-building
and training may be necessary to assist States Parties to acquire and/or
consolidate their expertise in the preparation, updating and harmonisationof their Tentative List and the preparation of nominations.

75.

International Assistance may be requested by States Parties for the purposeof preparing, updating and harmonizing Tentative Lists (see Chapter VII).

76.

The Advisory Bodies and the Secretariat will use the opportunity ofevaluation missions to hold regional training workshops to assist underrepresented States in the methods of preparation of their Tentative List andnominations.

II.D

Criteria for the assessment of Outstanding Universal Value77.

The Committee considers a property as having Outstanding Universal
Value (see paragraphs 49-53) if the property meets one or more of thefollowing criteria. Nominated properties shall therefore:(i)represent a masterpiece of human creative genius;(ii)

exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of timeor within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architectureor technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design;(iii)

bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or
to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared;(iv)

be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or
technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant
stage(s) in human history;(v)

be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use,or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or humaninteraction with the environment especially when it has become
vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change;(vi)

be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, withideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding
universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion
should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria) ;Decision 24COM VI.2.3.5(ii)These criteria were formerly
presented as two separate sets ofcriteria - criteria (i) - (vi) for
cultural heritage and (i) - (iv) for
natural heritage.
The 6th extraordinary session of
the World Heritage Committee
decided to merge the ten criteria(Decision 6 EXT.COM 5.1)

(vii) contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural
beauty and aesthetic importance;(viii) be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history,
including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes
in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or
physiographic features;
(ix)

16

be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecologicaland biological processes in the evolution and development ofterrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems andcommunities of plants and animals;

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

(x)contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ
conservation of biological diversity, including those containing
threatened species of Outstanding Universal Value from the point ofview of science or conservation.

78.

To be deemed of Outstanding Universal Value, a property must also meetthe conditions of integrity and/or authenticity and must have an adequate
protection and management system to ensure its safeguarding.

II.E

Integrity and/or authenticity
Authenticity

79.

Properties nominated under criteria (i) to (vi) must meet the conditions ofauthenticity. Annex 4 which includes the Nara Document on Authenticity,
provides a practical basis for examining the authenticity of such properties
and is summarized below.

80.

The ability to understand the value attributed to the heritage depends on the
degree to which information sources about this value may be understood ascredible or truthful. Knowledge and understanding of these sources of
information, in relation to original and subsequent characteristics of thecultural heritage, and their meaning as accumulated over time, are therequisite bases for assessing all aspects of authenticity.

81.

Judgments about value attributed to cultural heritage, as well as thecredibility of related information sources, may differ from culture to culture,and even within the same culture. The respect due to all cultures requiresthat cultural heritage must be considered and judged primarily within thecultural contexts to which it belongs.

82.

Depending on the type of cultural heritage, and its cultural context,
properties may be understood to meet the conditions of authenticity if theircultural values (as recognized in the nomination criteria proposed) aretruthfully and credibly expressed through a variety of attributes including:









83.

Decision 39 COM 11

form and design;materials and substance;
use and function;
traditions, techniques and management systems;
location and setting;language, and other forms of intangible heritage;
spirit and feeling; andother internal and external factors.

Attributes such as spirit and feeling do not lend themselves easily topractical applications of the conditions of authenticity, but nevertheless areimportant indicators of character and sense of place, for example, in
communities maintaining tradition and cultural continuity.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

17

84.

The use of all these sources permits elaboration of the specific artistic,
historic, social, and scientific dimensions of the cultural heritage being
examined. "Information sources" are defined as all physical, written, oral,
and figurative sources, which make it possible to know the nature,
specificities, meaning, and history of the cultural heritage.

85.

When the conditions of authenticity are considered in preparing anomination for a property, the State Party should first identify all of theapplicable significant attributes of authenticity. The statement ofauthenticity should assess the degree to which authenticity is present in, or
expressed by, each of these significant attributes.

86.

In relation to authenticity, the reconstruction of archaeological remains or
historic buildings or districts is justifiable only in exceptional circumstances.
Reconstruction is acceptable only on the basis of complete and detailed
documentation and to no extent on conjecture.
Integrity87.

All properties nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List shallsatisfy the conditions of integrity.

88.

Integrity is a measure of the wholeness and intactness of the natural and/or
cultural heritage and its attributes. Examining the conditions of integrity,
therefore requires assessing the extent to which the property:a)includes all elements necessary to express its Outstanding
Universal Value;b)

is of adequate size to ensure the complete representation of thefeatures and processes which convey the property’s significance;c)suffers from adverse effects of development and/or neglect.

Decision 20 COM IX.13

This should be presented in a statement of integrity.

89.

For properties nominated under criteria (i) to (vi), the physical fabric of theproperty and/or its significant features should be in good condition, and theimpact of deterioration processes controlled. A significant proportion of theelements necessary to convey the totality of the value conveyed by theproperty should be included. Relationships and dynamic functions present
in cultural landscapes, historic towns or other living properties essential totheir distinctive character should also be maintained.

90.

For all properties nominated under criteria (vii) - (x), bio-physical processes
and landform features should be relatively intact. However, it is recognizedthat no area is totally pristine and that all natural areas are in a dynamic
state, and to some extent involve contact with people. Human activities,
including those of traditional societies and local communities, often occur
in natural areas. These activities may be consistent with the Outstanding
Universal Value of the area where they are ecologically sustainable.

91.

In addition, for properties nominated under criteria (vii) to (x), a
corresponding condition of integrity has been defined for each criterion.

18

Examples of the application of
the conditions of integrity toproperties nominated undercriteria (i) - (vi) are underdevelopment.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

92.

Properties proposed under criterion (vii) should be of Outstanding
Universal Value and include areas that are essential for maintaining thebeauty of the property. For example, a property whose scenic value depends
on a waterfall, would meet the conditions of integrity if it includes adjacentcatchment and downstream areas that are integrally linked to themaintenance of the aesthetic qualities of the property.

93.

Properties proposed under criterion (viii) should contain all or most of the
key interrelated and interdependent elements in their natural relationships.
For example, an "ice age" area would meet the conditions of integrity if it
includes the snow field, the glacier itself and samples of cutting patterns,
deposition and colonization (e.g. striations, moraines, pioneer stages ofplant succession, etc.); in the case of volcanoes, the magmatic series should
be complete and all or most of the varieties of effusive rocks and types of
eruptions be represented.

94.

Properties proposed under criterion (ix) should have sufficient size andcontain the necessary elements to demonstrate the key aspects of processes
that are essential for the long term conservation of the ecosystems and thebiological diversity they contain. For example, an area of tropical rain forest
would meet the conditions of integrity if it includes a certain amount ofvariation in elevation above sea level, changes in topography and soil types,
patch systems and naturally regenerating patches; similarly a coral reefshould include, for example, seagrass, mangrove or other adjacentecosystems that regulate nutrient and sediment inputs into the reef.

95.

Properties proposed under criterion (x) should be the most important
properties for the conservation of biological diversity. Only those properties
which are the most biologically diverse and/or representative are likely tomeet this criterion. The properties should contain habitats for maintaining
the most diverse fauna and flora characteristic of the bio-geographic
province and ecosystems under consideration. For example, a tropicalsavannah would meet the conditions of integrity if it includes a complete
assemblage of co-evolved herbivores and plants; an island ecosystemshould include habitats for maintaining endemic biota; a property
containing wide ranging species should be large enough to include the mostcritical habitats essential to ensure the survival of viable populations of
those species; for an area containing migratory species, seasonal breeding
and nesting sites, and migratory routes, wherever they are located, should
be adequately protected.

II.F

Protection and management

96.

Protection and management of World Heritage properties should ensurethat their Outstanding Universal Value, including the conditions of integrity
and/or authenticity at the time of inscription, are sustained or enhanced overtime. A regular review of the general state of conservation of properties,
and thus also their Outstanding Universal Value, shall be done within aframework of monitoring processes for World Heritage properties, as
specified within the Operational Guidelines3 .

3 The processes of monitoring specified in the Operational Guidelines are Reactive Monitoring (see paragraphs 169-176)

and Periodic Reporting (see paragraphs 199-210).

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

19

97.

All properties inscribed on the World Heritage List must have adequate
long-term legislative, regulatory, institutional and/or traditional protection
and management to ensure their safeguarding. This protection should
include adequately delineated boundaries. Similarly States Parties should
demonstrate adequate protection at the national, regional, municipal, and/or
traditional level for the nominated property. They should append
appropriate texts to the nomination with a clear explanation of the way thisprotection operates to protect the property.
Legislative, regulatory and contractual measures for protection

98.

Legislative and regulatory measures at national and local levels should
assure the protection of the property from social, economic and otherpressures or changes that might negatively impact the Outstanding
Universal Value, including the integrity and/or authenticity of the property.
States Parties should also assure the full and effective implementation ofsuch measures.

Decision 39 COM 11

Boundaries for effective protection

99.

The delineation of boundaries is an essential requirement in theestablishment of effective protection of nominated properties. Boundaries
should be drawn to incorporate all the attributes that convey the
Outstanding Universal Value and to ensure the integrity and/or authenticityof the property.

100.

For properties nominated under criteria (i) - (vi), boundaries should be
drawn to include all those areas and attributes which are a direct tangible
expression of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, as well as
those areas which in the light of future research possibilities offer potential
to contribute to and enhance such understanding.

101.

For properties nominated under criteria (vii) - (x), boundaries should reflect
the spatial requirements of habitats, species, processes or phenomena thatprovide the basis for their inscription on the World Heritage List. The
boundaries should include sufficient areas immediately adjacent to the areaof Outstanding Universal Value in order to protect the property's heritage
values from direct effect of human encroachments and impacts of resource
use outside of the nominated area.

102.

The boundaries of the nominated property may coincide with one or moreexisting or proposed protected areas, such as national parks or nature
reserves, biosphere reserves or protected cultural or historic districts orother areas and territories. While such established areas for protection may
contain several management zones, only some of those zones may satisfy
requirements for inscription.

Decision 39 COM 11

Decision 39 COM 11

Buffer zones

103.

20

Wherever necessary for the proper protection of the property, an adequate
buffer zone should be provided.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

104.

For the purposes of effective protection of the nominated property, a bufferzone is an area surrounding the nominated property which hascomplementary legal and/or customary restrictions placed on its use anddevelopment to give an added layer of protection to the property. Thisshould include the immediate setting of the nominated property, importantviews and other areas or attributes that are functionally important as asupport to the property and its protection. The area constituting the bufferzone should be determined in each case through appropriate mechanisms.
Details on the size, characteristics and authorized uses of a buffer zone, as
well as a map indicating the precise boundaries of the property and its
buffer zone, should be provided in the nomination.

105.

A clear explanation of how the buffer zone protects the property should also
be provided.

106.

Where no buffer zone is proposed, the nomination should include astatement as to why a buffer zone is not required.

107.

Although buffer zones are not part of the nominated property, any
modifications to or creation of buffer zones subsequent to inscription of aproperty on the World Heritage List should be approved by the World
Heritage Committee using the procedure for a minor boundary modification(see paragraph 164 and Annex 11). The creation of buffer zones subsequent
to inscription is normally considered to be a minor boundary modification4.
Management systems

108.

Each nominated property should have an appropriate management plan orother documented management system which must specify how the
Outstanding Universal Value of a property should be preserved, preferably
through participatory means.

109.

The purpose of a management system is to ensure the effective protectionof the nominated property for present and future generations.

110.

An effective management system depends on the type, characteristics andneeds of the nominated property and its cultural and natural context.
Management systems may vary according to different cultural perspectives,
the resources available and other factors. They may incorporate traditional
practices, existing urban or regional planning instruments, and otherplanning control mechanisms, both formal and informal. Impact
assessments for proposed interventions are essential for all World Heritage
properties.

111.

In recognizing the diversity mentioned above, common elements of aneffective management system could include:a)a thorough shared understanding of the property by all
stakeholders, including the use of participatory planning andstakeholder consultation process;b)a cycle of planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation andfeedback;

Decision 39 COM 11

4 In case of transnational/transboundary properties any modification will need the agreement of all States Parties concerned.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

21

c)

an assessment of the vulnerabilities of the property to social,economic, and other pressures and changes, as well as themonitoring of the impacts of trends and proposed interventions;d)the development of mechanisms for the involvement andcoordination of the various activities between different partners
and stakeholders;e)the allocation of necessary resources;f)capacity-building; andg)an accountable, transparent description of how the management
system functions.

112.

Effective management involves a cycle of short, medium and long-term
actions to protect, conserve and present the nominated property. An
integrated approach to planning and management is essential to guide theevolution of properties over time and to ensure maintenance of all aspectsof their Outstanding Universal Value. This approach goes beyond theproperty to include any buffer zone(s), as well as the broader setting. The
broader setting, may relate to the property’s topography, natural and built
environment, and other elements such as infrastructure, land use patterns,
spatial organization, and visual relationships. It may also include relatedsocial and cultural practices, economic processes and other intangible
dimensions of heritage such as perceptions and associations. Managementof the broader setting is related to its role in supporting the Outstanding
Universal Value.

113.

Moreover, in the context of the implementation of the Convention, theWorld Heritage Committee has established a process of Reactive
Monitoring (see Chapter IV) and a process of Periodic Reporting (seeChapter V).

114.

In the case of serial properties, a management system or mechanisms for
ensuring the co-ordinated management of the separate components are
essential and should be documented in the nomination (see paragraphs 137-139).

115.

[Deleted]

116.

Where the intrinsic qualities of a property nominated are threatened byhuman action and yet meet the criteria and the conditions of authenticity or
integrity set out in paragraphs 78-95, an action plan outlining the corrective
measures required should be submitted with the nomination file. Should thecorrective measures submitted by the nominating State Party not be taken
within the time proposed by the State Party, the property will be consideredby the Committee for delisting in accordance with the procedure adopted by
the Committee (see Chapter IV.C).

117.

States Parties are responsible for implementing effective management
activities for a World Heritage property. State Parties should do so in close
collaboration with property managers, the agency with management
authority and other partners, and stakeholders in property management.

22

Decision 39 COM 11

Decision 39 COM 11
Decision 39 COM 11

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

118.

The Committee recommends that States Parties include risk preparedness
as an element in their World Heritage site management plans and training
strategies.

Decision 28 COM 10B.4

Sustainable use

119.

World Heritage properties may support a variety of ongoing and proposed
uses that are ecologically and culturally sustainable and which may
contribute to the quality of life of communities concerned. The State Party
and its partners must ensure that such sustainable use or any other change
does not impact adversely on the Outstanding Universal Value of theproperty. For some properties, human use would not be appropriate.
Legislations, policies and strategies affecting World Heritage properties
should ensure the protection of the Outstanding Universal Value, support
the wider conservation of natural and cultural heritage, and promote andencourage the active participation of the communities and stakeholders
concerned with the property as necessary conditions to its sustainable
protection, conservation, management and presentation.

III

PROCESS FOR THE INSCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES ON THE WORLD HERITAGE
LIST

III.A Preparation of Nominations

120.

The nomination document is the primary basis on which the Committee
considers the inscription of the properties on the World Heritage List. All
relevant information should be included in the nomination document and it
should be cross-referenced to the source of information.

121.

Annex 3 provides guidance to States Parties in preparing nominations ofspecific types of properties.

122.

Before States Parties begin to prepare a nomination of a property for
inscription on the World Heritage List, they should become familiar with
the nomination cycle, described in Paragraph 168. It is desirable to carryout initial preparatory work to establish that a property has the potential tojustify Outstanding Universal Value, including integrity or authenticity,
before the development of a full nomination dossier which could be
expensive and time-consuming. Such preparatory work might include
collection of available information on the property, thematic studies,scoping studies of the potential for demonstrating Outstanding Universal
Value, including integrity or authenticity, or an initial comparative study ofthe property in its wider global or regional context, including an analysis in
the context of the Gap Studies produced by the Advisory Bodies. This firstphase of work will help to establish the feasibility of a possible nomination
and avoid the use of resources on preparing nominations that may beunlikely to succeed. States Parties are encouraged to seek upstream advice5
from the relevant Advisory Body(ies) for this first phase as well as tocontact the World Heritage Centre at the earliest opportunity in considering
nominations to seek information and guidance.

Decision 34 COM 12 (III)
Report of the Expert meeting on"Upstream Processes toNominations: Creative
Approaches in the Nomination
Process" (Phuket: 2010)
Decision 36 COM 13.I
Decision 39 COM 11

5Upstream Processes: In relation to the nomination of sites for inscription on the World Heritage List, “Upstream processes”

include advice, consultation and analysis that occur prior to the submission of a nomination and are aimed at reducing the

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

23

123.

Participation in the nomination process of local communities, indigenous
peoples, governmental, non-governmental and private organizations andother stakeholders is essential to enable them to have a shared responsibility
with the State Party in the maintenance of the property. States Parties areencouraged to prepare nominations with the widest possible participation of
stakeholders and to demonstrate, as appropriate, that the free, prior andinformed consent of indigenous peoples has been obtained, through, interalia making the nominations publicly available in appropriate languages
and public consultations and hearings.

124.

Preparatory Assistance, as described in Chapter VII.E, may be requested by
States Parties for the preparation of nominations.

125.

States Parties are encouraged to contact the Secretariat, which can provide
assistance throughout the nomination process.

126.

The Secretariat can also provide:a)assistance in identifying appropriate maps and photographs and thenational agencies from which these may be obtained;b)

examples of successful nominations, of management andlegislative provisions;c)guidance for nominating different types of properties, such as
Cultural Landscapes, Towns, Canals, and Heritage Routes (seeAnnex 3)d)

guidance for nominating serial and transboundary properties (seeparagraphs 134-139).

127.

States Parties may submit draft nominations to the Secretariat for commentand review at any time during the year. However, States Parties are strongly
encouraged to transmit to the Secretariat by 30 September of the preceding
year (see paragraph 168) the draft nominations that they wish to submit by
the 1 February deadline. This submission of a draft nomination should
include maps showing the boundaries for the proposed site. Draft
nominations could be submitted either in electronic format or in printed
version (only in 1 copy without annexes except for maps). In both cases
they should be accompanied by a cover letter.

128.

Nominations may be submitted at any time during the year, but only
those nominations that are "complete" (see paragraph 132 and Annex 5)
and received by the Secretariat on or before 1 February6 will be considered
for inscription on the World Heritage List by the World Heritage
Committee during the following year. Only nominations of properties
included in the State Party's Tentative List will be examined by theCommittee (see paragraphs 63 and 65).

Decision 39 COM 11

Decision 37 COM 12.II

Decision 37 COM 12.II
Decision 39 COM 11

number of nominations that experience significant problems during the evaluation process. The basic principle of the
upstream processes is to enable the Advisory Bodies and the Secretariat to provide support directly to States Parties,
throughout the whole process leading up to a possible World Heritage nomination. For the upstream support to be effective,
it should ideally be undertaken from the earliest stage in the nomination process, at the moment of the preparation orrevision of the States Parties’ Tentative Lists.
6 If 1 February falls on a weekend, the nomination must be received by 17h00 GMT the preceding Friday.

24

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

III.B

Format and content of nominations

129.

Nominations of properties for inscription on the World Heritage List should
be prepared in accordance with the format set out in Annex 5.

130.

The format includes the following sections:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Identification of the Property
Description of the Property
Justification for Inscription
State of conservation and factors affecting the property
Protection and Management
Monitoring
Documentation
Contact Information of responsible authorities
Signature on behalf of the State Party(ies)131.

Nominations to the World Heritage List are evaluated on content rather
than on appearance.

132.

For a nomination to be considered as "complete", the following
requirements (see format in Annex 5) are to be met:

Decision 37 COM 12.II
Decision 39 COM 11

Executive Summary
An Executive Summary shall include essential information (see Annex 5)
extracted from the main text of the nomination including a reduced size
version of the map(s) indicating the boundaries of the nominated property
and of the buffer zone (where appropriate) and the draft Statement of
Outstanding Universal Value (the same text presented in Section 3.3 of thenomination).
1. Identification of the Property
The boundaries of the property being proposed shall be clearly defined,
unambiguously distinguishing between the nominated property and any
buffer zone (when present) (see paragraphs 103-107). Maps shall be
sufficiently detailed (see Explanatory Note of section 1.e in Annex 5) todetermine precisely which area of land and/or water is nominated.
Officially up-to-date published topographic maps of the State Party
annotated to show the property boundaries and any buffer zone (whenpresent) shall be provided if available in printed version. A nomination
shall be considered "incomplete" if it does not include clearly definedboundaries.
2. Description of the Property
The Description of the property shall include the identification of theproperty, and an overview of its history and development. All component
parts that are mapped shall be identified and described. In particular, where
serial nominations are proposed, each of the component parts shall beclearly described.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

25

The History and Development of the property shall describe how theproperty has reached its present form and the significant changes that it has
undergone. This information shall provide the important facts needed tosupport and give substance to the argument that the property meets thecriteria of Outstanding Universal Value and conditions of integrity and/or
authenticity.
3. Justification for Inscription
This section must make clear why the property is considered to be of
Outstanding Universal Value.
The text in sections from 3.1.a to 3.1.e should contain more detailed
information to support the text of the proposed Statement of Outstanding
Universal Value (section 3.3).
Section 3.1.b shall indicate the World Heritage criteria (see Paragraph 77)
under which the property is proposed, together with a clearly statedargument for the use of each criterion. Statements of integrity and (whencultural criteria are proposed) of authenticity shall be included and shalldemonstrate how the property satisfies the conditions outlined inparagraphs 78-95.

The comparative analyses
prepared by States Parties whennominating properties forinscription in the World
Heritage List should not be
confused with the thematicstudies prepared by theAdvisory Bodies at the requestof the Committee (paragraph148 below)
Decision 7 EXT.COM 4A

In section 3.2, a comparative analysis of the property in relation to similar
properties, whether or not on the World Heritage List, both at the national
and international levels, shall be provided. The comparative analysis shall
explain the importance of the nominated property in its national andinternational context.
In section 3.3, a proposed Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (seeparagraphs 49-53 and 155) of the property prepared by the State Party shallmake clear why the property is considered to merit inscription on the World
Heritage List.
4. State of conservation and factors affecting the property
This section shall include accurate information on the present state ofconservation of the property (including information on its physicalcondition of the property and conservation measures in place). It shall also
include a description of the factors affecting the property (including threats).
Information provided in this section constitutes the baseline data which arenecessary to monitor the state of conservation of the nominated property inthe future.
5. Protection and management
Protection: Section 5 shall include the list of the legislative, regulatory,
contractual, planning, institutional and/ or traditional measures most
relevant to the protection of the property and provide a detailed analysis of
the way in which this protection actually operates. Legislative, regulatory,
contractual planning and/or institutional texts, or an abstract of the texts,
shall also be attached in English or French.

26

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Management: An appropriate management plan or other management
system is essential and shall be provided in the nomination. Assurances ofthe effective implementation of the management plan or other management
system are also expected. Sustainable development principles should be
integrated into the management system.
A copy of the management plan or documentation of the management
system shall be annexed to the nomination. If the management plan exists
only in a language other than English or French, an English or French
detailed description of its provisions shall be annexed.
A detailed analysis or explanation of the management plan or a documented
management system shall be provided in Section 5.e of the nomination.
A nomination which does not include the above-mentioned documents is
considered incomplete unless other documents guiding the management of
the property until the finalization of the management plan are provided.
6. Monitoring
States Parties shall include the key indicators in place and/or proposed tomeasure and assess the state of conservation of the property, the factors
affecting it, conservation measures at the property, the periodicity of their
examination, and the identity of the responsible authorities.
7. Documentation
All documentation necessary to substantiate the nomination shall be
provided. In addition to what is indicated above, this shall include a) imagesof a quality suitable for printing (digital photographs at 300 dpi minimum,and if essential, supplementary film, video or other audio visual material);
and b) image/audiovisual inventory and authorization form (see Annex 5,
point 7.a). The text of the nomination shall be transmitted in printed form as
well as in electronic format (Word and/or PDF format preferred).
8. Contact Information of responsible authorities
Detailed contact information of responsible authorities shall be provided.
9. Signature on behalf of the State Party
The nomination shall conclude with the original signature of the official
empowered to sign it on behalf of the State Party.
10. Number of printed copies required (including maps annexed)
Nominations of cultural and natural properties (excluding culturallandscapes): 2 identical copies
Nominations of mixed properties and cultural landscapes: 3 identical copies
11. Paper and electronic format
Nominations shall be presented on A4-size paper and in electronic format(Word and/or PDF format).

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

27

12. Sending
States Parties shall submit the nomination in English or French duly signed,
to:
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
7, place de Fontenoy
75352 Paris 07 SP
FranceTel: +33 (0) 1 4568 1136
E-mail: wh-nominations@unesco.org

133.

The Secretariat will retain all supporting documentation (maps, plans,
photographic material, etc.) submitted with the nomination.

III.C Requirements for the nomination of different types of properties
Transboundary properties

134.

A nominated property may occur:a)on the territory of a single State Party, orb)on the territory of all concerned States Parties having adjacentborders (transboundary property).

135.

Wherever possible, transboundary nominations should be prepared andsubmitted by States Parties jointly in conformity with Article 11.3 of theConvention. It is highly recommended that the States Parties concerned
establish a joint management committee or similar body to oversee themanagement of the whole of a transboundary property.

136.

Extensions to an existing World Heritage property located in one State
Party may be proposed to become transboundary properties.

Decision 7 EXT.COM 4A

Serial properties

137.

Serial properties will include two or more component parts related byclearly defined links:a)Component parts should reflect cultural, social or functional links
over time that provide, where relevant, landscape, ecological,
evolutionary or habitat connectivity.

b)

Each component part should contribute to the Outstanding
Universal Value of the property as a whole in a substantial,
scientific, readily defined and discernible way, and may include,inter alia, intangible attributes. The resulting Outstanding
Universal Value should be easily understood and communicated.

c)Consistently, and in order to avoid an excessive fragmentation ofcomponent parts, the process of nomination of the property,
including the selection of the component parts, should take fully
into account the overall manageability and coherence of theproperty (see paragraph 114).

and provided it is the series as a whole – and not necessarily the individual
parts of it – which are of Outstanding Universal Value.

28

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

138.

139.

A serial nominated property may occur :a)on the territory of a single State Party (serial national property); orb)

within the territory of different States Parties, which need not be
contiguous and is nominated with the consent of all States Parties
concerned (serial transnational property)

Decision 7 EXT.COM 4A

Serial nominations, whether from one State Party or multiple States, may besubmitted for evaluation over several nomination cycles, provided that thefirst property nominated is of Outstanding Universal Value in its own right.
States Parties planning serial nominations phased over several nomination
cycles are encouraged to inform the Committee of their intention in order toensure better planning.

III.D Registration of nominations

140.

On receipt of nominations from States Parties, the Secretariat will
acknowledge receipt, check for completeness and register nominations. The
Secretariat will forward complete nominations to the relevant Advisory
Bodies for evaluation. The Secretariat will also make available theelectronic format of the text of the nominations to the Members of theCommittee on the World Heritage Centre’s website. The Secretariat will
request any additional information from the State Party and when requiredby Advisory Bodies. The timetable for registration and processing of
nominations is detailed in paragraph 168.

141.

The Secretariat establishes and submits at each Committee session a list of
all nominations received, including the date of reception, an indication of
their status "complete" or "incomplete", as well as the date at which they
are considered as "complete" in conformity with paragraph 132 andAnnex 5.

142.

A nomination passes through a cycle between the time of its submission
and the decision by the World Heritage Committee. This cycle normallylasts one and a half years between submission in February of Year 1 and thedecision of the Committee in June of Year 2.

III.E

Evaluation of nominations by the Advisory Bodies

143.

The Advisory Bodies will evaluate whether or not properties nominated by
States Parties have Outstanding Universal Value, meet the conditions ofintegrity and (when relevant) of authenticity and meet the requirements ofprotection and management. The procedures and format of ICOMOS and
IUCN evaluations are described in Annex 6.

144.

Evaluations of cultural heritage nominations will be carried out by
ICOMOS.

145.

Evaluations of natural heritage nominations will be carried out by IUCN.

146.

In the case of nominations of cultural properties in the category of 'culturallandscapes', as appropriate, the evaluation will be carried out by ICOMOS
in consultation with IUCN. For mixed properties, the evaluation will be
carried out jointly by ICOMOS and IUCN.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Decision 39 COM 11

Decisions 26 COM 14
Decision 28 COM 14B.57
Decision 39 COM 11

Decision 39 COM 11

29

147.

148.

30

As requested by the World Heritage Committee or as necessary, ICOMOS
and IUCN will carry out thematic studies to evaluate proposed World
Heritage properties in their regional, global or thematic context. Thesestudies should be informed by a review of the Tentative Lists submitted by
States Parties and by reports of meetings on the harmonization of Tentative
Lists, as well as by other technical studies performed by the Advisory
Bodies and qualified organizations and individuals. A list of those studies
already completed may be found in section III of Annex 3, and on the Web
addresses of the Advisory Bodies. These studies should not be confusedwith the comparative analysis to be prepared by States Parties innominating properties for inscription on the World Heritage List (seeparagraph 132).

ICOMOS:
http://www.icomos.org/studies/

The following principles must guide the evaluations and presentations of
ICOMOS and IUCN. The evaluations and presentations should:

Decision 28 COM 14B.57
Decision 30 COM 13
Decision 39 COM 11a)adhere to the World Heritage Convention and the relevant
Operational Guidelines and any additional policies set out by theCommittee in its decisions;b)be objective, rigorous and scientific including in considering all
information provided to the Advisory Bodies regarding anomination;c)be conducted to a consistent standard of professionalism, equity
and transparency throughout the evaluation process in consultationand dialogue with nominating States Parties;d)comply to standard format, both for evaluations and presentations,
to be agreed with the Secretariat and include names of all experts
who participated in the evaluation process, except desk reviewers
who provide confidential reviews, and, in an annex, a detailed
breakdown of all costs and expenses related to the evaluation;e)

involve regional experts familiar with the subject;f)indicate clearly and separately whether the property has
Outstanding Universal Value, meets the conditions of integrity
and/or authenticity, a management plan/system and legislative
protection;g)evaluate each property systematically according to all relevant
criteria, including its state of conservation, relatively, that is, bycomparison with that of other properties of the same type, both
inside and outside the State Party's territory;h)include references to Committee decisions and requests concerning
the nomination under consideration;i)

not take into account or include any information submitted by theState Party after 28 February, in the year in which the nominationis considered. The State Party should be informed when
information has arrived after the deadline and is not being taken
into account in the evaluation. This deadline should be rigorously
enforced; andj)provide a justification for their views through a list of references(literature) consulted, as appropriate.

IUCN:
http://www.iucn.org/themes/wc
pa/pubs/worldheritage.htm

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

149.

The Advisory Bodies are requested to forward to States Parties, with copy
to the World Heritage Centre for distribution to the Chair of the World
Heritage Committee, by 31 January of each year a short interim reportoutlining the status and any issues relevant to evaluations, and detailing any
requests for supplementary information, in one of the two working
languages of the Convention.

Decision 7 EXT.COM 4B.1
Decision 39 COM 11

150.

Letters from the concerned States Parties, submitted in the appropriate formin Annex 12, detailing the factual errors that might have been identified in
the evaluation of their nomination made by the Advisory Bodies, must be
received by the World Heritage Centre no later than 14 days before theopening of the session of the Committee with copies to the relevant
Advisory Bodies. The letters shall be made available as an annex to the
documents for the relevant agenda item, and no later than the first day of
the Committee session. The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory
Bodies may add their comments to the letters, in the relevant section of theform, before they are made available.

Decision 7 EXT.COM 4B.1
Decision 37 COM 12.II

151.

ICOMOS and IUCN make their recommendations under three categories:a)properties which are recommended for inscription without
reservation;b)properties which are not recommended for inscription;c)nominations which are recommended for referral or deferral.

III.F

Withdrawal of nominations

152.

A State Party may withdraw a nomination it has submitted at any timeprior to the Committee session at which it is scheduled to be examined. The
State Party should inform the Secretariat in writing of its intention towithdraw the nomination. If the State Party so wishes it can resubmit anomination for the property, which will be considered as a new nominationaccording to the procedures and timetable outlined in paragraph 168.

III.G Decision of the World Heritage Committee

153.

The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should or
should not be inscribed on the World Heritage List, referred or deferred.
Inscription

154.

When deciding to inscribe a property on the World Heritage List, theCommittee, guided by the Advisory Bodies, adopts a Statement of
Outstanding Universal Value for the property.

155.

The Statement of Outstanding Universal Value should include a summaryof the Committee's determination that the property has Outstanding
Universal Value, identifying the criteria under which the property was
inscribed, including the assessments of the conditions of integrity, and, forcultural and mixed properties, authenticity It should also include astatement on the protection and management in force and the requirementsfor protection and management for the future. The Statement of
Outstanding Universal Value shall be the basis for the future protection andmanagement of the property.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Decision 39 COM 11

31

Where necessary, the protection and management part of the Statement of
Outstanding Universal Value may be updated by the World Heritage
Committee, in consultation with the State Party and further to a review by
the Advisory Bodies. Such updates could be made periodically further tothe outcomes of Periodic reporting cycles, or at any Committee session, if
required.
The World Heritage Centre will automatically keep the Statements of
Outstanding Universal Value updated further to subsequent decisions takenby the Committee concerning a change of name of the property and changeof surface further to minor boundary modifications and correct any factual
errors as agreed with the relevant Advisory Bodies.
In the framework of the Gender Equality Priority of UNESCO, the use ofgender-neutral language in the preparation of Statements of Outstanding
Universal Value is encouraged.

156.

At the time of inscription, the Committee may also make otherrecommendations concerning the protection and management of the World
Heritage property.

157.

The Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (including the criteria forwhich a specific property is inscribed on the World Heritage List) will be
set out by the Committee in its reports and publications.
Decision not to inscribe

158.

If the Committee decides that a property should not be inscribed on theWorld Heritage List, the nomination may not again be presented to theCommittee except in exceptional circumstances. These exceptional
circumstances may include new discoveries, new scientific information
about the property, or different criteria not presented in the original
nomination. In these cases, a new nomination shall be submitted.
Referral of Nominations

159.

Nominations which the Committee decides to refer back to the State Party
for additional information may be resubmitted to the following Committee
session for examination. The additional information must be received by
the Secretariat by 1 February7 of the year in which examination by theCommittee is desired. The Secretariat will immediately transmit it to therelevant Advisory Bodies for evaluation. A referred nomination which is
not presented to the Committee within three years of the original
Committee decision will be considered as a new nomination when it isresubmitted for examination, following the procedures and timetable
outlined in paragraph 168. States Parties might seek advice from therelevant Advisory Body(ies) and/ or the World Heritage Centre to discuss
how the recommendations of the Committee might be addressed.

Decision 39 COM 11

7 If 1 February falls on a weekend, the nomination must be received by 17h00 GMT the preceding Friday.

32

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Deferral of Nominations

160.

The Committee may decide to defer a nomination for more in depth
assessment or study, or a substantial revision by the State Party. Should theState Party decide to resubmit the deferred nomination in any subsequent
year, it must be received by the Secretariat by 1 February 8 . Thesenominations will then be reevaluated evaluated again by the relevant
Advisory Bodies during the course of the full year and a half evaluation
cycle including an evaluation mission according to the procedures andtimetable outlined in paragraph 168. States Parties are encouraged to seek
advice from the relevant Advisory Body and/ or the World Heritage Centre
to discuss how the recommendations of the Committee might be addressed.
Where required, the State Parties may wish to consider inviting an
Advisory mission.

Decision 39 COM 11

III.H Nominations to be processed on an emergency basis

161.

The normal timetable and definition of completeness for the submission
and processing of nominations will not apply in the case of properties
which would be in Danger, as a result of having suffered damage or facing
serious and specific dangers from natural events or human activities, which
would constitute an emergency situation for which an immediate decisionby the Committee is necessary to ensure their safeguarding, and which,according to the report of the relevant Advisory Bodies, may
unquestionably justify Outstanding Universal Value. Such nominations will
be processed on an emergency basis and their examination is included in
the agenda of the next Committee session. These properties may beinscribed on the World Heritage List. They shall, in that case, be
simultaneously inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (seeparagraphs 177-191).

162.

The procedure for nominations to be processed on an emergency basis is asfollows:a)

A State Party presents a nomination with the request for processing
on an emergency basis. The State Party shall have alreadyincluded, or immediately include, the property on its Tentative
List.

b)

The nomination shall:i)describe the property and identify precisely its boundaries;ii)

justify its Outstanding Universal Value according to thecriteria;iii)

justify its integrity and/or authenticity;iv)

describe its protection and management system;v)

describe the nature of the emergency, and the nature andextent of the damage or specific danger and showing that
immediate action by the Committee is necessary to ensure
the safeguarding of the property.

Decision 37 COM 12.II

Decisio37 COM 12.II

8 If 1 February falls on a weekend, the nomination must be received by 17h00 GMT the preceding Friday.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

33

III.Ic)

The Secretariat immediately transmits the nomination to therelevant Advisory Bodies, requesting an assessment of the qualitiesof the property which may justify its Outstanding Universal Value,of the nature of the danger and the urgency of a decision by theCommittee. A field visit may be necessary if the relevant Advisory
Bodies consider it appropriate and if the time allows.

d)When reviewing the nomination the Committee will also consider:vi)

allocation of International Assistance to complete thenomination; andvii)

follow-up missions as necessary by the Secretariat and therelevant Advisory Bodies as soon as possible after
inscription to fulfil the Committee's recommendations.

Modifications to the boundaries, to the criteria used to justify
inscription or to the name of a World Heritage property
Minor modifications to the boundaries

163.

A minor modification is one which has not a significant impact on theextent of the property nor affects its Outstanding Universal Value.

164.

If a State Party wishes to request a minor modification to the boundaries ofa property already on the World Heritage List, it must be prepared incompliance with the format of Annex 11 and must be received by
1 February9 by the Committee through the Secretariat, which will seek theevaluation of the relevant Advisory Bodies on whether this can beconsidered a minor modification or not. The Secretariat shall then submit
the Advisory Bodies’ evaluation to the World Heritage Committee. The
Committee may approve such a modification, or it may consider that themodification to the boundary is sufficiently significant as to constitute asignificant boundary modification of the property, in which case theprocedure for new nominations will apply.

Decision 39 COM 11

Significant modifications to the boundaries

165.

If a State Party wishes to significantly modify the boundary of a property
already on the World Heritage List, the State Party shall submit this
proposal as if it were a new nomination (including the requirement to bepreviously included on the Tentative List – see paragraph 63 and 65). This
re-nomination shall be presented by 1 February10 and will be evaluated in
the full year and a half cycle of evaluation according to the procedures andtimetable outlined in paragraph 168. This provision applies to extensions, aswell as reductions.

Decision 39 COM 11

9 If 1 February falls on a weekend, the nomination must be received by 17h00 GMT the preceding Friday.
10 If 1 February falls on a weekend, the nomination must be received by 17h00 GMT the preceding Friday.

34

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Modifications to the criteria used to justify inscription on the World
Heritage List

166.

Where a State Party wishes to have the property inscribed under additional,
fewer or different criteria other than those used for the original inscription,
it shall submit this request as if it were a new nomination (including therequirement to be previously included on the Tentative List – see paragraph
63 and 65). This re-nomination must be received by 1 February11 and will
be evaluated in the full year and a half cycle of evaluation according to theprocedures and timetable outlined in paragraph 168. Properties
recommended will only be evaluated under the new criteria and will remainon the World Heritage List even if unsuccessful in having additional criteria
recognized.

Decision 39 COM 11

Modification to the name of a World Heritage property

167.

A State Party 12may request that the Committee authorize a modification to
the name of a property already inscribed on the World Heritage List. A
request for a modification to the name shall be received by the Secretariat
at least 3 months prior to the meeting of the Committee.

III.J

Timetable – overview

168.

Decision 39 COM 11

Timetable

Procedures

30 September (before Year 1)

Voluntary deadline for receipt of draft nominations fromStates Parties by the Secretariat.

15 November (before Year 1)

Secretariat to respond to the nominating State Party
concerning the completeness of the draft nomination, and,
if incomplete, to indicate the missing information required
to make the nomination complete.

1 February Year 1

Deadline by which complete nominations must be received
by the Secretariat to be transmitted to the relevant Advisory
Bodies for evaluation.
Nominations shall be received by 17h00 GMT, or, if thedate falls on a weekend by 17h00 GMT the preceeding
Friday.
Nominations received after this date will be examined in a
future cycle.

1 February – 1 March Year 1

Registration, assessment of completeness and transmission
to the relevant Advisory Bodies.
The Secretariat registers each nomination, acknowledges
receipt to the nominating State Party and inventories its
contents. The Secretariat will inform the nominating State

11 If 1 February falls on a weekend, the nomination must be received by 17h00 GMT the preceding Friday.
12 In

case of transnational/transboundary properties any modification will need the agreement of all States Parties
concerned.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

35

Party whether or not the nomination is complete.
Nominations that are not complete (see paragraph 132) will
not be transmitted to the relevant Advisory Bodies forevaluation. If a nomination is incomplete, the State Party
concerned will be advised of information required tocomplete the nomination by the deadline of 1 February of
the following year in order for the nomination to be
examined in a future cycle.
Nominations that are complete are transmitted to therelevant Advisory Bodies for evaluation.
The Secretariat will also make available the electronic
format of the text of the nominations to the Members of theCommittee on the World Heritage Centre’s website.
1 March Year 1

Deadline by which the Secretariat informs the State Partyof the receipt of a Nomination, whether it is considered
complete and whether it has been received by 1 February.

March Year 1 – May Year 2

Evaluation by the Advisory Bodies

31 January Year 2

The Advisory Bodies are requested to forward to States
Parties with copy to the World Heritage Centre for
distribution to the Chair of the World Heritage Committeeby 31 January of each year a short interim report outlining
the status of and any issues relevant to evaluations, anddetailing any requests for supplementary information, in
one of the two working languages of the Convention.
Deadline by which additional information requested by therelevant Advisory Bodies shall be submitted by the State
Party to them via the Secretariat.

28 February Year 2

Additional information shall be submitted in the same
number of copies and electronic formats as specified in
Paragraph 132 to the Secretariat. To avoid confusing new
and old texts, if the additional information submitted
concerns changes to the main text of the nomination, theState Party shall submit these changes in an amended
version of the original text. The changes shall be clearly
identified. An electronic version (CD-ROM or diskette) of
this new text shall accompany the paper version.

Six weeks prior to the annual World
Heritage Committee session Year 2

The relevant Advisory Bodies deliver their evaluations andrecommendations to the Secretariat for transmission to theWorld Heritage Committee as well as to States Parties.

At least 14 working days before theopening of the annual World
Heritage Committee session Year 2

Correction of factual errors by States Parties

36

The concerned States Parties can send, at least 14 working
days before the opening of the session of the Committee, aletter to the Chairperson, with copies to the Advisory
Bodies, detailing the factual errors they might haveidentified in the evaluation of their nomination made by the

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Advisory Bodies.
Annual session of the World Heritage
Committee (June/July) Year 2

The Committee examines the nominations and makes its
decisions.

Immediately following the annual
session of the World Heritage
Committee

Notification to the States Parties
The Secretariat notifies all States Parties whose
nominations have been examined by the Committee of therelevant decisions of the Committee.
Following the decision of the World Heritage Committee
to inscribe a property on the World Heritage List, theSecretariat writes to the State Party and site managers
providing a map of the area inscribed and the Statement of
Outstanding Universal Value (to include reference to thecriteria met).

Immediately following the annual
session of the World Heritage
Committee

The Secretariat publishes the updated World Heritage List
every year following the annual session of the Committee.

In the month following the closure of
the annual session of the World
Heritage Committee

The Secretariat forwards the published report of all thedecisions of the World Heritage Committee to all States
Parties.

The name of the States Parties having nominated theproperties inscribed on the World Heritage List arepresented in the published form of the List under thefollowing heading: “Contracting State having submitted thenomination of the property in accordance with theConvention".

IV

PROCESS FOR MONITORING THE STATE OF CONSERVATION OF WORLDHERITAGE PROPERTIES

IV.A

Reactive Monitoring
Definition of Reactive Monitoring

169.

Reactive Monitoring is the reporting by the Secretariat, other sectors of
UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies to the Committee on the state ofconservation of specific World Heritage properties that are under threat. To
this end, the States Parties shall submit specific reports and impact studies
each time exceptional circumstances occur or work is undertaken which
may have an impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property or
its state of conservation. Reactive Monitoring is also foreseen in reference
to properties inscribed, or to be inscribed, on the List of World Heritage in
Danger as set out in paragraphs 177-191. Reactive Monitoring is also
foreseen in the procedures for the eventual deletion of properties from theWorld Heritage List as set out in paragraphs 192-198.

Decision 39 COM 11

These reports shall be submitted to the World Heritage Committee throughthe Secretariat, using the standard format in Annex 13, in English or French:Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

37

a)

by 1 December of the year preceding the examination of theproperty by the Committee, for the properties inscribed on theWorld Heritage List,b)by 1 February of the year of examination of the property by theCommittee, for the properties inscribed on the List of World
Heritage in Danger, and for specific cases of utmost urgency.

Objective of Reactive Monitoring

170.

171.

When adopting the process of Reactive Monitoring, the Committee wasparticularly concerned that all possible measures should be taken to preventthe deletion of any property from the List and was ready to offer technicalco-operation as far as possible to States Parties in this connection.
The Committee recommends that States Parties co-operate with theAdvisory Bodies which have been asked by the Committee to carry out
monitoring and reporting on its behalf on the progress of work undertaken
for the preservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Information received from States Parties and/or other sources

172.

The World Heritage Committee invites the States Parties to the Convention
to inform the Committee, through the Secretariat, of their intention toundertake or to authorize in an area protected under the Convention major
restorations or new constructions which may affect the Outstanding
Universal Value of the property. Notice should be given as soon as possible(for instance, before drafting basic documents for specific projects) andbefore making any decisions that would be difficult to reverse, so that theCommittee may assist in seeking appropriate solutions to ensure that the
Outstanding Universal Value of the property is fully preserved.

173.

The World Heritage Committee requests that reports of missions to review
the state of conservation of the World Heritage properties include:

174.

a)

an indication of threats or significant improvement in theconservation of the property since the last report to the World
Heritage Committee;b)

any follow-up to previous decisions of the World Heritage
Committee on the state of conservation of the property;c)information on any threat or damage to or loss of Outstanding
Universal Value, integrity and/or authenticity for which theproperty was inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Article 4 of the Convention:"Each State Party to thisConvention recognizes that the
duty of ensuring theidentification, protection,conservation, presentation andtransmission to future
generations of the cultural andnatural heritage referred to in
Articles 1 and 2 and situated on
its territory, belongs primarily
to that State...".

Decision 27 COM 7B.106

When the Secretariat receives information that a property inscribed has
seriously deteriorated, or that the necessary corrective measures have notbeen taken within the time proposed, from a source other than the State
Party concerned, it will, as far as possible, verify the source and thecontents of the information in consultation with the State Party concerned
and request its comments.
Decision by the World Heritage Committee

175.

38

The Secretariat will request the relevant Advisory Bodies to forward
comments on the information received.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

176.

IV.B

The information received, together with the comments of the State Party
and the Advisory Bodies, will be brought to the attention of the Committee
in the form of a state of conservation report for each property, which may
take one or more of the following steps:a)

it may decide that the property has not seriously deteriorated andthat no further action should be taken;b)when the Committee considers that the property has seriously
deteriorated, but not to the extent that its restoration is impossible,
it may decide that the property be maintained on the List, provided
that the State Party takes the necessary measures to restore theproperty within a reasonable period of time. The Committee may
also decide that technical co-operation be provided under theWorld Heritage Fund for work connected with the restoration of
the property, proposing to the State Party to request suchassistance, if it has not already been done; in some circumstancesStates Parties may wish to invite an Advisory mission by therelevant Advisory Body(ies) or other organizations to seek advice
on necessary measures to reverse deterioration and address threats.

c)when the requirements and criteria set out in paragraphs 177-182
are met, the Committee may decide to inscribe the property on the
List of World Heritage in Danger according to the procedures set
out in paragraphs 183-189;d)when there is evidence that the property has deteriorated to thepoint where it has irretrievably lost those characteristics which
determined its inscription on the List, the Committee may decide todelete the property from the List. Before any such action is taken,
the Secretariat will inform the State Party concerned. Anycomments which the State Party may make will be brought to theattention of the Committee;e)when the information available is not sufficient to enable theCommittee to take one of the measures described in a), b), c) or d)above, the Committee may decide that the Secretariat be authorized
to take the necessary action to ascertain, in consultation with theState Party concerned, the present condition of the property, thedangers to the property and the feasibility of adequately restoring
the property. Such measures may include the sending of a Reactive
Monitoring mission or the consultation of specialists, or through an
Advisory mission. The Secretariat shall report to the Committee on
the results of its action. In case an emergency action is required,
the Committee may authorize its financing from the World
Heritage Fund through an emergency assistance request.

Decision 39 COM 11

The List of World Heritage in Danger
Guidelines for the inscription of properties on the List of World Heritage
in Danger

177.

In accordance with Article 11, paragraph 4, of the Convention, theCommittee may inscribe a property on the List of World Heritage in
Danger when the following requirements are met:

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

39

a)

the property under consideration is on the World Heritage List;b)

the property is threatened by serious and specific danger;c)major operations are necessary for the conservation of theproperty;d)assistance under the Convention has been requested for theproperty; the Committee is of the view that its assistance in certain
cases may most effectively be limited to messages of its concern,
including the message sent by inscription of a property on the Listof World Heritage in Danger and that such assistance may berequested by any Committee member or the Secretariat.

Criteria for the inscription of properties on the List of World Heritage in
Danger178.

A World Heritage property - as defined in Articles 1 and 2 of theConvention - can be inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger by
the Committee when it finds that the condition of the property corresponds
to at least one of the criteria in either of the two cases described below.

179.

In the case of cultural properties:
a)

b)

180.

40

ASCERTAINED DANGER - The property is faced with specificand proven imminent danger, such as:i)serious deterioration of materials;

ii)

serious deterioration of structure and/or ornamental features;iii)

serious deterioration of architectural or town-planningcoherence;iv)

serious deterioration of urban or rural space, or the naturalenvironment;v)

significant loss of historical authenticity;vi)

important loss of cultural significance.

POTENTIAL DANGER - The property is faced with threats which
could have deleterious effects on its inherent characteristics. Suchthreats are, for example:i)

modification of juridical status of the property diminishingthe degree of its protection;ii)

lack of conservation policy;iii)

threatening effects of regional planning projects;

iv)

threatening effects of town planning;v)

outbreak or threat of armed conflict;vi)

threatening impacts of climatic, geological or otherenvironmental factors.

In the case of natural properties:

Decision 39 COM 11

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

c)

d)

ASCERTAINED DANGER The property is faced with specificand proven imminent danger, such as:i)

A serious decline in the population of the endangered
species or the other species of Outstanding Universal Valuefor which the property was legally established to protect,either by natural factors such as disease or by human-madefactors such as poaching.

ii)

Severe deterioration of the natural beauty or scientific valueof the property, as by human settlement, construction ofreservoirs which flood important parts of the property,
industrial and agricultural development including use ofpesticides and fertilizers, major public works, mining,
pollution, logging, firewood collection, etc.

iii)

Human encroachment on boundaries or in upstream areas
which threaten the integrity of the property.

POTENTIAL DANGER The property is faced with major threats
which could have deleterious effects on its inherent characteristics.
Such threats are, for example:i)a modification of the legal protective status of the area;ii)

planned resettlement or development projects within theproperty or so situated that the impacts threaten the property;iii)

outbreak or threat of armed conflict;iv)

the management plan or management system is lacking or
inadequate, or not fully implemented.

v)

threatening impacts of climatic, geological or otherenvironmental factors.

181.

In addition, the threats and/or their detrimental impacts on the integrity ofthe property must be those which are amenable to correction by humanaction. In the case of cultural properties, both natural factors and humanmade factors may be threatening, while in the case of natural properties,
most threats will be human-made and only very rarely a natural factor (suchas an epidemic disease) will threaten the integrity of the property. In somecases, the threats and/or their detrimental impacts on the integrity of theproperty may be corrected by administrative or legislative action, such as
the cancelling of a major public works project or the improvement of legal
status.

182.

The Committee may wish to bear in mind the following supplementaryfactors when considering the inclusion of a cultural or natural property inthe List of World Heritage in Danger:a)Decision 39 COM 11

Decisions which affect World Heritage properties are taken by
Governments after balancing all factors. The advice of the World
Heritage Committee can often be decisive if it can be given before
the property becomes threatened.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

41

b)

Particularly in the case of ascertained danger, the physical orcultural deteriorations to which a property has been subjectedshould be judged according to the intensity of its effects andanalyzed case by case.

c)Above all in the case of potential danger to a property, one should
consider that:d)i)the threat should be appraised according to the normal
evolution of the social and economic framework in which
the property is situated;ii)

it is often impossible to assess certain threats such as thethreat of armed conflict as to their effect on cultural or
natural properties;iii)

some threats are not imminent in nature, but can only be
anticipated, such as demographic growth.

Finally, in its appraisal the Committee should take into account any
cause of unknown or unexpected origin which endangers a culturalor natural property.

Procedure for the inscription of properties on the List of World Heritage in
Danger183.

When considering the inscription of a property on the List of World
Heritage in Danger, the Committee shall develop, and adopt, as far as
possible, in consultation with the State Party concerned, a Desired state ofconservation for the removal of the property from the List of World
Heritage in Danger, and a programme for corrective measures.

184.

In order to develop the programme of corrective measures referred to in theprevious paragraph, the Committee shall request the Secretariat to ascertain,
as far as possible in co-operation with the State Party concerned, the present
condition of the property, the dangers to the property and the feasibility ofundertaking corrective measures. The Committee may further decide tosend a Reactive Monitoring mission from the relevant Advisory Bodies orother organizations to visit the property, evaluate the nature and extent of
the threats and propose the measures to be taken. In some circumstances,
the State Party may wish to invite an Advisory mission to provide advice
and guidance.

185.

The information received, together with the comments as appropriate of theState Party and the relevant Advisory Bodies or other organizations, will be
brought to the attention of the Committee by the Secretariat.

186.

The Committee shall examine the information available and take a decision
concerning the inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in
Danger. Any such decision shall be taken by a majority of two-thirds of theCommittee members present and voting. The Committee will then define
the programme of corrective action to be taken. This programme will be
proposed to the State Party concerned for immediate implementation.

187.

The State Party concerned shall be informed of the Committee's decisionand public notice of the decision shall immediately be issued by theCommittee, in accordance with Article 11.4 of the Convention.

42

Decision 39 COM 11

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

188.

The Secretariat publishes the updated List of World Heritage in Danger inprinted form and is also available at the following Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/danger

189.

The Committee shall allocate a specific, significant portion of the World
Heritage Fund to financing of possible assistance to World Heritage
properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Regular review of the state of conservation of properties on the List ofWorld Heritage in Danger

190.

The Committee shall review annually the state of conservation of properties
on the List of World Heritage in Danger. This review shall include suchmonitoring procedures and expert missions as might be determined
necessary by the Committee.

191.

On the basis of these regular reviews, the Committee shall decide, in
consultation with the State Party concerned, whether:a)additional measures are required to conserve the property;b)

to delete the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger if
the property is no longer under threat;c)to consider the deletion of the property from both the List of World
Heritage in Danger and the World Heritage List if the property has
deteriorated to the extent that it has lost those characteristics which
determined its inscription on the World Heritage List, in
accordance with the procedure set out in paragraphs 192-198.

IV.C

Procedure for the eventual deletion of properties from the World
Heritage List

192.

The Committee adopted the following procedure for the deletion ofproperties from the World Heritage List in cases:a)where the property has deteriorated to the extent that it has lost
those characteristics which determined its inclusion in the World
Heritage List; andb)where the intrinsic qualities of a World Heritage site were alreadythreatened at the time of its nomination by human action and where
the necessary corrective measures as outlined by the State Party at
the time, have not been taken within the time proposed (seeparagraph 116).

193.

When a property inscribed on the World Heritage List has seriously
deteriorated, or when the necessary corrective measures have not beentaken within the time proposed, the State Party on whose territory theproperty is situated should so inform the Secretariat.

194.

When the Secretariat receives such information from a source other than theState Party concerned, it will, as far as possible, verify the source and thecontents of the information in consultation with the State Party concerned
and request its comments.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Decision 39 COM 11

43

195.

The Secretariat will request the relevant Advisory Bodies to forward
comments on the information received.

196.

The Committee will examine all the information available and will take adecision. Any such decision shall, in accordance with Article 13 (8) of theConvention, be taken by a majority of two-thirds of its members present
and voting. The Committee shall not decide to delete any property unless
the State Party has been consulted on the question.

197.

The State Party shall be informed of the Committee's decision and public
notice of this decision shall be immediately given by the Committee.

198.

If the Committee's decision entails any modification to the World Heritage
List, this modification will be reflected in the next updated List that is
published.

V

PERIODIC REPORTING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE
CONVENTION

V.A

Objectives

199.

States Parties are requested to submit reports to the UNESCO General
Conference through the World Heritage Committee on the legislative andadministrative provisions they have adopted and other actions which they
have taken for the application of the Convention, including the state ofconservation of the World Heritage properties located on their territories.

200.

States Parties may request expert advice from the Advisory Bodies and theSecretariat, which may also (with agreement of the States Parties concerned)
commission further expert advice.

201.

Periodic Reporting serves four main purposes:

202.

44

a)

to provide an assessment of the application of the World Heritage
Convention by the State Party;b)

to provide an assessment as to whether the Outstanding Universal
Value of the properties inscribed on the World Heritage List is
being maintained over time;c)to provide up-dated information about the World Heritage
properties to record the changing circumstances and state ofconservation of the properties;d)to provide a mechanism for regional co-operation and exchange of
information and experiences between States Parties concerning theimplementation of the Convention and World Heritage
conservation.

Article 29 of the World
Heritage Convention and
Resolutions of the 11th sessionof the General Assembly ofStates Parties (1997) and the29th session of the UNESCO
General Conference.

Periodic Reporting is important for more effective long term conservationof the properties inscribed, as well as to strengthen the credibility of theimplementation of the Convention.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

V.B

Procedure and Format

203.

World Heritage Committee:

Decision 22 COM VI.7a)adopted the Format and Explanatory Notes set out in Annex 7;b)invited States Parties to submit periodic reports every six years;c)decided to examine the States Parties’ periodic reports region byregion according to the following table:d)RegionExamination ofproperties
inscribed up to
and includingYear of Examination
by Committee

Arab States

1992

December 2000

Africa1993

December 2001/July
2002

Asia and the Pacific

1994

June-July 2003

Latin America andthe Caribbean

1995

June-July2004

Europe and North
America

1996/1997

June-July 2005/2006

requested the Secretariat, jointly with the Advisory Bodies, andmaking use of States Parties, competent institutions and expertiseavailable within the region, to develop regional strategies for theperiodic reporting process as per the timetable established under c)above.

204.

The above-mentioned regional strategies should respond to specificcharacteristics of the regions and should promote co-ordination andsynchronization between States Parties, particularly in the case oftransboundary properties. The Secretariat will consult States Parties withregard to the development and implementation of those regional strategies.

205.

After the first six-year cycle of periodic reports, each region will beassessed again in the same order as indicated in the table above. Following
the first six-year cycle, there may be a pause for evaluation to assess andrevise the periodic reporting mechanism before a new cycle is initiated.

206.

The Format for the periodic reports by the States Parties consists of two
sections:a)Section I refers to the legislative and administrative provisions
which the State Party has adopted and other actions which it has
taken for the application of the Convention, together with details of
the experience acquired in this field. This particularly concerns thegeneral obligations defined in specific articles of the Convention.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

This Format was adopted by theCommittee at its 22nd session(Kyoto 1998) and may berevised following thecompletion of the first cycle of
Periodic Reporting in 2006. For
this reason, the Format has notbeen revised.

45

b)

Section II refers to the state of conservation of specific World
Heritage properties located on the territory of the State Party
concerned. This Section should be completed for each World
Heritage property.

Explanatory Notes are provided with the Format in Annex 7.

207.

In order to facilitate management of information, States Parties arerequested to submit reports, in English or French, in electronic as well as inprinted form to :UNESCO World Heritage Centre
7, place de Fontenoy
75352 Paris 07 SP
FranceTel:+33 (0)1 45 68 12 76
Email: wh-info@unesco.org

V.C

Evaluation and Follow Up

208.

The Secretariat consolidates national reports into Regional State of theWorld Heritage reports, which are available in electronic format at thefollowing Web address http://whc.unesco.org/en/publications and in paper
version (series World Heritage Papers).

209.

The World Heritage Committee carefully reviews issues raised in Periodic
Reports and advises the States Parties of the regions concerned on mattersarising from them.

210.

The Committee requested the Secretariat with the Advisory Bodies, inconsultation with the relevant States Parties, to develop long-term followup Regional Programmes structured according to its Strategic Objectives
and to submit them for its examination. These Programmes are adopted asfollow up to Periodic Reports and regularly reviewed by the Committee
based on the needs of States Parties identified in Periodic Reports. They
should accurately reflect the needs of World Heritage in the Region andfacilitate the granting of International Assistance. The Committee also
expressed its support to ensure direct links between the Strategic Objectives
and the International Assistance.

VI

ENCOURAGING SUPPORT FOR THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION

VI.A

Objectives

211.

The objectives are:46

Decision 36 COM 13.I

Article 27 of the World
Heritage Conventiona)to enhance capacity-building and research;b)

to raise the general public’s awareness, understanding andappreciation of the need to preserve cultural and natural heritage;c)to enhance the function of World Heritage in the life of thecommunity; andArticle 5(a) of the World
Heritage Convention

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

d)to increase the participation of local and national populations in theprotection and presentation of heritage.

VI.B

Capacity-building and research

212.

The Committee seeks to develop capacity-building within the States Parties
in conformity with its Strategic Objectives.

Budapest Declaration on World
Heritage (2002)

The Global Training Strategy

213.

Recognizing the high level of skills and multidisciplinary approachnecessary for the protection, conservation, and presentation of the World
Heritage, the Committee has adopted a Global Training Strategy for World
Cultural and Natural Heritage. The primary goal of the Global Training
Strategy is to ensure that necessary skills are developed by a wide range ofactors for better implementation of the Convention. In order to avoid
overlap and effectively implement the Strategy, the Committee will ensure
links to other initiatives such as the Global Strategy for a Representative,
Balanced and Credible World Heritage List and Periodic Reporting. The
Committee will annually review relevant training issues, assess training
needs, review annual reports on training initiatives, and makerecommendations for future training initiatives.

Global Training Strategy for
World Cultural and Natural
Heritage adopted by the World
Heritage Committee at its 25th
session (Helsinki, Finland,2001) (see ANNEX X of
document WHC01/CONF.208/24).

National training strategies and regional co-operation

214.

States Parties are encouraged to ensure that their professionals andspecialists at all levels are adequately trained. To this end, States Parties areencouraged to develop national training strategies and include regional cooperation for training as part of their strategies.
Research

215.

The Committee develops and coordinates international co-operation in thearea of research needed for the effective implementation of the Convention.
States Parties are also encouraged to make resources available to undertake
research, since knowledge and understanding are fundamental to theidentification, management, and monitoring of World Heritage properties.
International Assistance216.

Training and Research Assistance may be requested by States Parties fromthe World Heritage Fund (see Chapter VII).

VI.C

Awareness-raising and education
Awareness-raising

217.

States Parties are encouraged to raise awareness of the need to preserve
World Heritage. In particular, they should ensure that World Heritage statusis adequately marked and promoted on-site.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

47

218.

The Secretariat provides assistance to States Parties in developing activities
aimed at raising public awareness of the Convention and informing the
public of the dangers threatening World Heritage. The Secretariat advises
States Parties regarding the preparation and implementation of on-site
promotional and educational projects to be funded through International
Assistance. The Advisory Bodies and appropriate State agencies may also
be solicited to provide advice on such projects.
Education

219.

The World Heritage Committee encourages and supports the developmentof educational materials, activities and programmes.
International Assistance220.

States Parties are encouraged to develop educational activities related toWorld Heritage with, wherever possible, the participation of schools,
universities, museums and other local and national educational authorities.

Article 27.2 of the World
Heritage Convention

221.

The Secretariat, in co-operation with the UNESCO Education Sector andother partners, produces and publishes a World Heritage Educational
Resource Kit, "World Heritage in Young Hands", for use in secondary
schools around the world. The Kit is adaptable for use at other educational
levels.

"World Heritage in Young
Hands" is available at thefollowing Web address
http://whc.unesco.org/education/index.htm

222.

International Assistance may be requested by States Parties from the World
Heritage Fund for the purpose of developing and implementing awarenessraising and educational activities or programmes (see Chapter VII).

VII

THE WORLD HERITAGE FUND AND INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE

VII.A The World Heritage Fund

223.

The World Heritage Fund is a trust fund, established by the Convention in
conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO.
The resources of the Fund consist of compulsory and voluntary
contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any otherresources authorized by the Fund’s regulations.

224.

The financial regulations for the Fund are set out in document WHC/7
available at the following Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/financialregulations

Article 15 of the World
Heritage Convention.

VII.B Mobilization of other technical and financial resources andpartnerships in support of the World Heritage Convention

225.

48

To the extent possible, the World Heritage Fund should be used to mobilize
additional funds for International Assistance from other sources.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

226.

The Committee decided that contributions offered to the World Heritage
Fund for international assistance campaigns and other UNESCO projects
for any property inscribed on the World Heritage List shall be accepted andused as international assistance pursuant to Section V of the Convention,and in conformity with the modalities established for carrying out the
campaign or project.

227.

States Parties are invited to provide support to the Convention in addition to
obligatory contributions paid to the World Heritage Fund. This voluntary
support can be provided through additional contributions to the World
Heritage Fund or direct financial and technical contributions to properties.

228.

States Parties are encouraged to participate in international fund-raising
campaigns launched by UNESCO and aimed at protecting World Heritage.

229.

States Parties and others who anticipate making contributions towards thesecampaigns or other UNESCO projects for World Heritage properties areencouraged to make their contributions through the World Heritage Fund.

230.

States Parties are encouraged to promote the establishment of national,
public and private foundations or associations aimed at raising funds tosupport World Heritage conservation efforts.

231.

The Secretariat provides support in mobilizing financial and technicalresources for World Heritage conservation. To this end, the Secretariat
develops partnerships with public and private institutions in conformity
with the Decisions and the Guidelines issued by the World Heritage
Committee and UNESCO regulations.

232.

The Secretariat should refer to “UNESCO’s “Comprehensive Partnership
Strategy” to govern external fund-raising in favour of the World Heritage
Fund. This document is available at the following Web address:
http://en.unesco.org/partnerships.

Article 15(3) of the World
Heritage Convention

Article 17 of the World
Heritage Convention.

“Comprehensive Partnership
Strategy” including “Separate
strategies for engagement withindividual categories ofpartners” 192 EX/5.INF
Decision 30 COM 13.13

VII.C International Assistance233.

The Convention provides International Assistance to States Parties for theprotection of the world cultural and natural heritage located on theirterritories and inscribed, or potentially suitable for inscription on the World
Heritage List. International Assistance should be seen as supplementary tonational efforts for the conservation and management of World Heritage
and Tentative List properties when adequate resources cannot be secured at
the national level.

See Articles 13 (1&2) and 1926 of the World Heritage
Convention.

234.

International Assistance is primarily financed from the World Heritage
Fund, established under the World Heritage Convention. The Committee
determines the budget for International Assistance on a biennial basis.

Section IV of the World
Heritage Convention

235.

The World Heritage Committee co-ordinates and allocates types ofInternational Assistance in response to State Party requests. These types ofInternational Assistance, described in the summary table set out below, inorder of priority are:Decision 30 COM 14A
Decision 36 COM 13.Ia)Emergency assistanceOperational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

49

b)

Conservation and Management assistance (incorporating assistancefor training and research, technical co-operation and promotion andeducation)c)

Preparatory assistance.

VII.D Principles and priorities for International Assistance236.

Priority is given to International Assistance for properties inscribed on the
List of World Heritage in Danger. The Committee created a specific budget
line to ensure that a significant portion of assistance from the World
Heritage Fund is allocated to properties inscribed on the List of World
Heritage in Danger.

Article 13(1) of the World
Heritage Convention.

237.

States Parties in arrears of payment of their compulsory or voluntary
contributions to the World Heritage Fund are not eligible for international
assistance, it being understood that this provision does not apply to requests
for emergency assistance.

Decision 13 COM XII.34

238.

To support its Strategic Objectives, the Committee also allocatesInternational Assistance in conformity with the priorities set out in its
decisions and in the Regional Programmes it adopts as a follow up to
Periodic Reports (see para. 210).

239.

In addition to the priorities outlined in paragraphs 236-238 above, thefollowing considerations govern the Committee's decisions in granting
International Assistance:a)the likelihood that the assistance will have a catalytic andmultiplier effect (“seed money”) and promote financial andtechnical contributions from other sources;b)when funds available are limited and a selection has to be made,preference is given to:

Decision 36 COM 13.I

Decisions 26 COM 17.2,
Decision 26 COM 20 andDecision 26 COM 25.3

Decision 31 COM 18B



c)

50

a Least Developed Country or Low Income Economy as definedby the United Nations Economic and Social Council'sCommittee for Development Policy, or a Lower Middle Income Country as defined by the World Bank,or a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), or a State Party in a post-conflict situation;
the urgency of the protective measures to be taken at World
Heritage properties;d)whether the legislative, administrative and, wherever possible,
financial commitment of the recipient State Party is available to theactivity;e)the impact of the activity on furthering the Strategic Objectives
decided by the Committee;

Paragraph 26 of Operational
Guidelinesf)the degree to which the activity responds to needs identified
through the reactive monitoring process and/or the analysis ofregional Periodic Reports;

Decision 20 COM XII

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

240.

g)

the exemplary value of the activity in respect to scientific researchand the development of cost effective conservation techniques;h)the cost of the activity and expected results; andi)the educational value both for the training of experts and for thegeneral public.

A balance will be maintained in the allocation of resources between culturaland natural heritage and between Conservation and Management andPreparatory Assistance. This balance is reviewed and decided upon on aregular basis by the Committee and during the second year of eachbiennium by the Chairperson or the World Heritage Committee.

65% of the total International
Assistance budget is set aside
for cultural properties and 35%
for natural properties
Decision 31 COM 18B
Decision 36 COM 13.I
Decision 37 COM 12.II

VII.E Summary Table
Decision 36 COM 13.I
Decision 30 COM 13.13

241.
Type ofinternational
assistance

Emergency
Assistance

Authority for
approval

Up to
US$ 5.000

At any time

Director of theWorld Heritage
CentreBetween
US$ 5.001 and
75.000At any time

Chairperson of
the CommitteeOver
US$ 75.000

At any time
before theCommittee

Committee

Up to
US$ 5.000

At any time

Director of theWorld Heritage
CentreBetween
US$ 5.001 and
30.00031 October

Chairperson of
the Committee

Budget ceilings
per request
This assistance may be requested to address ascertained or
potential threats facing properties included on the List of World
Heritage in Danger and the World Heritage List which havesuffered severe damage or are in imminent danger of severe
damage due to sudden, unexpected phenomena. Such phenomena
may include land subsidence, extensive fires, explosions,flooding or human-made disasters including war. This assistancedoes not concern cases of damage or deterioration caused by
gradual processes of decay, pollution or erosion. It addresses
emergency situations strictly relating to the conservation of aWorld Heritage property (see Decision 28 COM 10B 2.c). It may
be made available, if necessary, to more than one World Heritage
property in a single State Party (see Decision 6 EXT. COM 15.2).
The budget ceilings relate to a single World Heritage property.
The assistance may be requested to :Preparatory
assistance

Deadline forsubmission ofrequestPurpose(i)undertake emergency measures for the safeguardingof the property;(ii)draw up an emergency plan for the property.

This assistance may be requested to (in order of priority):
(i)

(ii)

prepare or update national Tentative Lists ofproperties suitable for inscription on the World
Heritage List; a commitment will be required fromthe State Party to nominate in priority on these lists
sites recognized in approved thematic advice, suchas the thematic studies prepared by the Advisory
Bodies, as corresponding to gaps on the List;
organize meetings for the harmonization of national
Tentative Lists within the same geo-cultural area;(iii) prepare nominations of properties for inscription on
the World Heritage List (including preparatory
work such as collection of basic information,scoping studies of the potential for demonstration of
Outstanding Universal Value, including integrity orauthenticity, comparative studies of the property inrelation to other similar properties (see 3.2 ofAnnex 5), including analysis in the context of the
Gap Studies produced by the Advisory Bodies.
Priority will be given to requests for sites
recognized in approved thematic advice as

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

51

Type ofinternational
assistance

Deadline forsubmission ofrequestAuthority for
approval

Only forrequests fallingunder items (i)to (vi):Only forrequests fallingunder items (i)to (vi):Only for requests
falling under
items (i) to (vi)Up to
US$ 5.000

At any time

Director of theWorld Heritage
CentreBetween
US$ 5.001 and
30.00031 October

Chairperson of
the CommitteeOver
US$ 30.000

31 OctoberCommittee

Only forrequests fallingunder items (vii)and (viii):

Only forrequests fallingunder items (vii)and (viii):

Only for requests
falling under
items (vii) and(viii):Up to
US$ 5,000

At any time

Director of theWorld Heritage
CentrePurposeBudget ceilings
per request
corresponding to gaps on the List and/or for sites
where preliminary investigations have shown thatfurther inquiries would be justified, especially in thecase of States Parties whose heritage is unrepresented or under-represented on the World
Heritage List;(iv) prepare requests for Conservation & Management
assistance for consideration by the World Heritage
Committee.

Conservationand Management
Assistance(incorporating
Training andResearch
assistance,
Technical cooperation
assistance andPromotion andeducation
assistance)

This assistance may be requested for:(i)the training of staff and specialists at all levels inthefieldsofidentification,
monitoring,conservation, management and presentation ofWorld Heritage, with an emphasis on grouptraining;(ii)

scientific research benefiting World Heritage
properties;(iii) studies on the scientific and technical problems ofconservation, management, and presentation ofWorld Heritage properties.
Note: Requests for support for individual training
courses from UNESCO should be submitted on thestandard “Application for fellowship” form available
from the Secretariat.
(iv) provision of experts, technicians and skilled labour
for the conservation, management, and presentationof properties inscribed on the List of World
Heritage in Danger and the World Heritage List;(v)

supply of equipment which the State Party requires
for the conservation, management, and presentationof properties inscribed on the List of World
Heritage in Danger and the World Heritage List;(vi) low-interest or interest-free loans for undertaking
activities for the conservation, management, andpresentation of properties inscribed on the List ofWorld Heritage in Danger and the World Heritage
List, which may be repayable on a long-term basis.
(vii) At the regional and international levels for
Programmes, activities and the holding of meetings
that could:- help to create interest in the Convention within the
countries of a given region;- create a greater awareness of the different issues
related to the implementation of the Convention topromote more active involvement in its
application;- be a means of exchanging experiences;- stimulate joint education,
promotional
programmes

52

information andandactivities,

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Type ofinternational
assistance

Deadline forsubmission ofrequestAuthority for
approval

31 October

Chairperson of
the Committee

PurposeBudget ceilings
per request
especially when they involve the participation ofyoung people for the benefit of World Heritage
conservation.

Between
US$ 5,001 and
10,000(viii) At the national level for:- meetings specifically organized to make theConvention better known, especially amongst
young people, or for the creation of national
World Heritage associations, in accordance with
Article 17 of the Convention;- preparation and discussion of education andinformation material (such as brochures,
publications, exhibitions, films, multimedia tools)
for the general promotion of the Convention andthe World Heritage List and not for the promotionof a particular property, and especially for young
people.

VII.F Procedure and format

242.

All States Parties submitting requests for international assistance areencouraged to consult the Secretariat and the Advisory Bodies during theconceptualization, planning and elaboration of each request. To facilitate
States Parties’ work, examples of successful international assistancerequests may be provided upon request.

243.

The application form for International Assistance is presented in Annex 8
and the types, amounts, deadlines for submission and the authorities
responsible for approval are outlined in the summary table in Chapter VII.E.

244.

The request should be submitted in English or French, duly signed andtransmitted by the National Commission for UNESCO, the State Party
Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and/or appropriate governmental
Department or Ministry to the following address:
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
7, place de Fontenoy
75352 Paris 07 SP
FranceTel: +33 (0) 1 4568 12 76
E-mail: wh-intassistance@unesco.org

245.

Requests for international assistance may be submitted by electronic mailby the State Party but must be accompanied by an officially signed hard
copy or be filled-in using the online format on the World Heritage Centre’s
Website at the following address: http://whc.unesco.org

246.

It is important that all information requested in this application form isprovided. If appropriate or necessary, requests may be supplemented byadditional information, reports, etc.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

53

VII.G Evaluation and approval of International Assistance requests

247.

Provided that a request for assistance from a State Party is complete, theSecretariat, with the assistance of the Advisory Bodies, for requests above
US$ 5,000, will process each request in a timely manner, as follows.

248.

All requests for international assistance for cultural heritage are evaluatedby ICOMOS and ICCROM, except requests up to and including US$ 5,000.

Decision 13 COM XII.34
Decision 31 COM 18B

249.

All requests for international assistance for mixed heritage are evaluated by
ICOMOS, ICCROM and IUCN, except requests up to and including
US$ 5,000.

Decision 31 COM 18B

250.

All requests for international assistance for natural heritage are evaluated by
IUCN, except requests up to and including US$ 5,000.

Decision 31 COM 18B

251.

The evaluation criteria used by the Advisory Bodies are outlined in Annex
9.

Decision 31 COM 18B

252.

All requests for International Assistance of more than US$ 5,000, except
those of Emergency Assistance, are evaluated by a panel composed ofrepresentatives of the World Heritage Centre Regional Desks and theAdvisory Bodies, and if possible, the Chairperson of the World Heritage
Committee or, in observer capacity, a person designated by the Chairperson,
meeting once or twice a year before action by the Chairperson and/orCommittee. Requests for Emergency Assistance can be submitted at any
time to the Secretariat and will be submitted to the Chairperson or to theCommittee at its next session for decision after comments by the Advisory
Bodies and without examination by the panel.

Decision 31 COM 18B
Decision 36 COM 13.I
Decision 30 COM 13.13

253.

The Chairperson is not authorized to approve requests submitted by his
own country. These will be examined by the Committee.

254.

All requests for Preparatory Assistance or Conservation and Management
Assistance of more than US$ 5,000 should be received by the Secretariat onor before 31 October. Incomplete forms which do not come back duly
completed by 30 November will be sent back to the States Parties for
submission to a next cycle. Complete requests are examined by a first panel
held in January during the meeting between the Secretariat and theAdvisory Bodies. Requests for which the panel issues a positive or anegative recommendation will be submitted to the Chairperson/Committee
for decision. A second panel may be held at least eight weeks before theCommittee session for requests which were revised since the first panel.
Requests sent back for a substantial revision will be examined by the panel
depending on their date of receipt. Requests requiring only minor revisionand no further examination by the panel must come back within the year
when they were examined first; otherwise they will be sent again to a next
panel. The chart detailing the submission process is attached in Annex 8.

Decision 36 COM 13.I

VII.H Contractual Arrangements

255.

54

Agreements are established between UNESCO and the concerned State
Party or its representative(s) for the implementation of the approved
International Assistance requests in conformity with UNESCO regulations,following the work plan and budget breakdown described in the originallyapproved request.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

VII.I Evaluation and follow-up of International Assistance256.

The monitoring and evaluation of the implemention of the International
Assistance requests will take place within 3 months of the activities’completion. The results of these evaluations will be collated and maintainedby the Secretariat in collaboration with the Advisory Bodies and examinedby the Committee on a regular basis.

257.

The Committee reviews the implementation, evaluation and follow-up ofInternational Assistance in order to evaluate the International Assistanceeffectiveness and to redefine its priorities.

VIII

THE WORLD HERITAGE EMBLEM

VIII.A Preamble

258.

At its second session (Washington, 1978), the Committee adopted theWorld Heritage Emblem which had been designed by Mr. Michel Olyff.
This Emblem symbolizes the interdependence of cultural and naturalproperties: the central square is a form created by man and the circle
represents nature, the two being intimately linked. The Emblem is round,like the world, but at the same time it is a symbol of protection. It
symbolizes the Convention, signifies the adherence of States Parties to theConvention, and serves to identify properties inscribed in the World
Heritage List. It is associated with public knowledge about the Convention
and is the imprimatur of the Convention's credibility and prestige. Above all,it is a representation of the universal values for which the Convention
stands.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

55

259.

The Committee decided that the Emblem proposed by the artist could be
used, in any colour or size, depending on the use, the technical possibilities
and considerations of an artistic nature. The Emblem should always carry
the text "WORLD HERITAGE. PATRIMOINE MONDIAL". The space
occupied by "PATRIMONIO MUNDIAL" can be used for its translation
into the national language of the country where the Emblem is to be used.

260.

In order to ensure the Emblem benefits from as much visibility as possible
while preventing improper uses, the Committee at its twenty-second session(Kyoto, 1998) adopted "Guidelines and Principles for the Use of the World
Heritage Emblem" as set out in the following paragraphs. In addition, a“Table of Uses” (Annex 14) provides complementary guidance.

261.

56

Decision 39 COM 11

Although there is no mention of the Emblem in the Convention, its use has
been promoted by the Committee to identify properties protected by theConvention and inscribed on the World Heritage List since its adoption in
1978.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

262.

The World Heritage Committee is responsible for determining the use of
the World Heritage Emblem and for making policy prescriptions regarding
how it may be used. Since the adoption by the UNESCO General
Conference in October 2007 of the Directives concerning the Use of theName, Acronym, Logo and Internet Domain Names of UNESCO13, it isstrongly encouraged to use the World Heritage Emblem as part of a linked
logo block accompanied by UNESCO’s logo, whenever feasible. The useof the World Heritage Emblem alone remains however possible, in linewith the present Guidelines and with the Table of Uses (Annex 14).

263.

As requested by the Committee at its 26th session (Budapest, 2002), theWorld Heritage Emblem, with and without its surrounding text, has been
notified and accepted on 21 May 2003 by the Paris Union Member states
under Article 6ter of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial
Property, adopted in 1883 and revised at Stockholm in 1967. Therefore
UNESCO has recourse to Paris Convention Member States’ domestic
systems to prevent the use of the World Heritage Emblem where such use
falsely suggests a connection with UNESCO, the World Heritage
Convention, or any other abusive use.

264.

The Emblem also has fund-raising potential that can be used to enhance themarketing value of products with which it is associated. A balance isneeded between the Emblem's use to further the aims of the Convention andoptimize knowledge of the Convention worldwide and the need to prevent
its abuse for inaccurate, inappropriate, and unauthorized commercial orother purposes.

265.

The Guidelines and Principles for the Use of the Emblem and modalities
for quality control should not become an obstacle to co-operation for
promotional activities. Authorities responsible for reviewing and deciding
on uses of the Emblem may base their decisions on the parametersdeveloped below and those contained in the Table of Uses (Annex 14).

Decision 39 COM 11

Decision 26 COM 15
Decision 39 COM 11

Decision 39 COM 11

VIII.B Applicability

266.

The Guidelines and Principles proposed herein cover all proposed uses of
the Emblem by:a)

The World Heritage Centre;b)

The UNESCO Division of Public Information and other UNESCO
offices;c)

Agencies or National Commissions, responsible for implementing
the Convention in each State Party;d)World Heritage properties;e)

Other contracting parties, especially
predominantly commercial purposes.

those

operatingDecision 39 COM 11

for

13 The most recent version of the Directives concerning the Use of the Name, Acronym, Logo and Internet Domain Namesof UNESCO is found in the annex to Resolution 86 of the 34th session of the General Conference (34 C/Resolution 86) or
at http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0015/001560/156046e.pdf

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

57

VIII.C Responsibilities of States Parties

267.

States Parties to the Convention should take all possible measures toprevent the use of the Emblem in their respective countries by any group or
for any purpose not explicitly recognized by the Committee. States Parties
are encouraged to make full use of national legislation including Trade
Mark Laws.

VIII.D Increasing proper uses of the World Heritage Emblem

268.

Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List should be marked with theemblem jointly with the UNESCO logo, which should, however, be placedin such a way that they do not visually impair the property in question.
Production of plaques to commemorate the inscription of properties on theWorld Heritage List

269.

Once a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List, the State Party
should place a plaque, whenever possible, to commemorate this inscription.
These plaques are designed to inform the public of the country concernedand foreign visitors that the property visited has a particular value which
has been recognized by the international community. In other words, theproperty is exceptional, of interest not only to one nation, but also to thewhole world. However, these plaques have an additional function which is
to inform the general public about the World Heritage Convention or atleast about the World Heritage concept and the World Heritage List.

270.

The Committee has adopted the following Guidelines for the production ofthese plaques:

271.

a)

the plaque should be so placed that it can easily be seen by visitors,
without disfiguring the property;b)

the World Heritage Emblem should appear on the plaque;c)the text should mention the property's Outstanding Universal
Value; in this regard it might be useful to give a short descriptionof the property's outstanding characteristics. States Parties may, if
they wish, use the descriptions appearing in the various World
Heritage publications or in the World Heritage exhibit, and which
may be obtained from the Secretariat;d)the text should make reference to the World Heritage Convention
and particularly to the World Heritage List and to the internationalrecognition conferred by inscription on this List (however, it is notnecessary to mention at which session of the Committee theproperty was inscribed); it may be appropriate to produce the text
in several languages for properties which receive many foreign
visitors.

The Committee proposes the following text as an example:"(Name of property) has been inscribed upon the World Heritage List of theConvention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural
Heritage. Inscription on this List confirms the Outstanding Universal Valueof a cultural or natural property which deserves protection for the benefit of
all humanity."

58

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

272.

This text could be then followed by a brief description of the property
concerned.

273.

Furthermore, the national authorities should encourage World Heritage
properties to make a broad use of the Emblem such as on their letterheads,
brochures and staff uniforms.

274.

Third parties which have received the right to produce communication
products related to the World Heritage Convention and World Heritage
properties must give the Emblem proper visibility. They should avoid
creating a different Emblem or logo for that particular product.

VIII.E Principles on the use of the World Heritage Emblem

275.

The responsible authorities are henceforth requested to use the following
principles in making decisions on the use of the Emblem:a)

The Emblem should be utilized for all projects substantiallyassociated with the work of the Convention, including, to the
maximum extent technically and legally possible, those alreadyapproved and adopted, in order to promote the Convention.

b)

A decision to approve use of the Emblem should be linked strongly
to the quality and content of the product with which it is to be
associated, not on the volume of products to be marketed or thefinancial return expected. The main criterion for approval shouldbe the educational, scientific, cultural, or artistic value of the
proposed product related to World Heritage principles and values.
Approval should not routinely be granted to place the Emblem on
products that have no, or extremely little, educational value, suchas cups, T-shirts, pins, and other tourist souvenirs. Exceptions tothis policy will be considered for special events, such as meetingsof the Committee and ceremonies at which plaques are unveiled.

c)

Any decision with respect to authorizing the use of the Emblem
must be completely unambiguous and in keeping with the explicit
and implicit goals and values of the World Heritage Convention.

d)

Except when authorized in accordance with these principles it is
not legitimate for commercial entities to use the Emblem directlyon their own material to show their support for World Heritage.
The Committee recognizes, however, that any individual,organization, or company is free to publish or produce whatever
they consider to be appropriate regarding World Heritage
properties, but official authorization to do so under the World
Heritage Emblem remains the exclusive prerogative of theCommittee, to be exercised as prescribed in these Guidelines andPrinciples and in the Table of Uses.

e)

Use of the Emblem by other contracting parties should normally
only be authorized when the proposed use deals directly withWorld Heritage properties. Such uses may be granted after
approval by the national authorities of the countries concerned.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Decision 39 COM 11

59

f)

In cases where no specific World Heritage properties are involved
or are not the principal focus of the proposed use, such as generalseminars and/or workshops on scientific issues or conservation
techniques, use may be granted only upon express approval inaccordance with these Guidelines and Principles and with theTable of Uses. Requests for such uses should specifically
document the manner in which the proposed use is expected toenhance the work of the Convention.

g)Permission to use the Emblem should not be granted to travel
agencies, airlines, or to any other type of business operating for
predominantly commercial purposes, except under exceptional
circumstances and when manifest benefit to the World Heritage
generally or particular World Heritage properties can bedemonstrated. Requests for such use should require approval inaccordance with these Guidelines and Principles and with theTable of Uses. Such requests should be approved by the national
authorities concerned, and be defined within the framework of
specific partnership agreements with UNESCO/World Heritage
Centre.

“Comprehensive Partnership
Strategy” including “Separate
strategies for engagement withindividual categories ofpartners” 192 EX/5.INF and
PACT Strategy (Document
WHC-13/37.COM/5D)
Decision 37 COM 5D

The Secretariat is not to accept any advertising, travel, or otherpromotional considerations from travel agencies or other, similar
companies in exchange or in lieu of financial remuneration for useof the Emblem.
h)When commercial benefits are anticipated, the Secretariat should
ensure that the World Heritage Fund receives a fair share of therevenues and conclude a contract or other agreement that
documents the nature of the understandings that govern the project
and the arrangements for provision of income to the Fund. In allcases of commercial use, any staff time and related costs for
personnel assigned by the Secretariat or other reviewers, as
appropriate, to any initiative, beyond the nominal, must be fully
covered by the party requesting authorization to use the Emblem.
National authorities are also called upon to ensure that theirproperties or the World Heritage Fund receive a fair share of therevenues and to document the nature of the understandings thatgovern the project and the distribution of any proceeds.

i)60

If sponsors are sought for manufacturing products whose
distribution the Secretariat considers necessary, the choice ofpartner or partners should be consistent, at a minimum, with thecriteria set forth in the “Comprehensive Partnership Strategy”
including “Separate strategies for engagement with individual
categories or parners” 192 EX/5.INF and PACT Strategy(Document WHC-13/37.COM/5D) and with such further fundraising guidance as the Committee may prescribe. The necessity
for such products should be clarified and justified in writtenpresentations that will require approval in such manner as theCommittee may prescribe.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

j)

The sale of goods or services bearing the name, acronym, logo
and/or Internet domain name of UNESCO combined with theWorld Heritage Emblem chiefly for profit shall be regarded as“commercial use” for the purpose of the Operational Guidelines.
Such use must be expressly authorized by the Director-General,
under a specific contractual arrangement (definition adapted from2007 UNESCO Logo Directives. Art III.2.1.3).

VIII.F Authorization procedure for the use of the World Heritage Emblem
Simple agreement of the national authorities

276.

National authorities may grant the use of the Emblem to a national entity,
provided that the project, whether national or international, involves only
World Heritage properties located on the same national territory. National
authorities’ decision should be guided by the Guidelines and Principles andby the Table of Uses.

277.

States Parties are invited to provide the Secretariat with the names andaddresses of the authorities in charge of managing the use of the Emblem.
Agreement requiring quality control of content

278.

Any other request for authorization to use the Emblem should adopt thefollowing procedure:a)A request indicating the objective of the use of the Emblem, its
duration and territorial validity, should be addressed to the Directorof the World Heritage Centre.

b)

The Director of the World Heritage Centre has the authority to
grant the use of the Emblem in accordance with the Guidelines andPrinciples. For cases not covered, or not sufficiently covered, by
the Guidelines and Principles and by the Table of Uses, theDirector refers the matter to the Chairperson who, in the mostdifficult cases, might wish to refer the matter to the Committee forfinal decision. A yearly report on the authorized uses of theEmblem will be submitted to the World Heritage Committee.

c)Authorization to use the Emblem in major products to be widelydistributed over an undetermined period of time is conditional
upon obtaining the manufacturer’s commitment to consult withcountries concerned and secure their endorsement of texts andimages illustrating properties situated in their territory, at no cost to
the Secretariat, together with the proof that this has been done. The
text to be approved should be provided in either one of the official
languages of the Committee or in the language of the country
concerned. A draft model to be used by States Parties to authorize
the use of the Emblem to third parties appears below.

Decision 39 COM 11

Circular letter dated 14 April
1999.
http://whc.unesco.org/circs/circ99-4e.pdf

Decision 39 COM 11

Content Approval Form:

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[Name of responsible national body], officially identified as the
body responsible for approving the content of the texts and photos
relating to the World Heritage properties located in the territory of[name of country], hereby confirms to [name of producer] thatthe text and the images that it has submitted for the [name ofproperties] World Heritage property(ies) are [approved][approved subject to the following changes requested] [are notapproved](delete whatever entry does not apply, and provide, as needed, acorrected copy of the text or a signed list of corrections).
Notes:
It is recommended that the initials of the responsible national
official be affixed to each page of text.
The National Authorities are given one month from theiracknowledged receipt in which to authorize the content, following
which the producers may consider that the content has been tacitly
approved, unless the responsible National Authorities request in
writing a longer period.
Texts should be supplied to the National Authorities in one of thetwo official languages of the Committee, or in the official language(or in one of the official languages) of the country in which theproperties are located, at the convenience of both parties.
d)After having examined the request and considered it as acceptable,
the Secretariat may establish an agreement with the partner.

e)

If the Director of the World Heritage Centre judges that a proposed
use of the Emblem is not acceptable, the Secretariat informs therequesting party of the decision in writing.

VIII.G Right of States Parties to exert quality control

279.

62

Authorization to use the Emblem is inextricably linked to the requirementthat the national authorities may exert quality control over the products withwhich it is associated.
a)

The States Parties to the Convention are the only parties authorized
to approve the content (images and text) of any distributed productappearing under the World Heritage Emblem with regard to theproperties located in their territories.

b)States Parties that protect the Emblem legally must review these
uses.

c)

Other States Parties may elect to review proposed uses or refersuch proposals to the Secretariat. States Parties are responsible for
identifying an appropriate national authority and for informing theSecretariat whether they wish to review proposed uses or to
identify uses that are inappropriate. The Secretariat maintains a listof responsible national authorities.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage ConventionIX

INFORMATION SOURCES

IX.A

Information archived by the Secretariat

280.

The Secretariat maintains a database of all documents of the World
Heritage Committee and the General Assembly of States Parties to theWorld Heritage Convention. This database is available at the following
Web address: http://whc.unesco.org/en/statutorydoc

281.

The Secretariat ensures that copies of Tentative Lists, World Heritage
nominations, including copies of maps and relevant information received
from States Parties are archived in hard copy and in electronic format where
possible. The Secretariat also arranges for the archiving of relevant
information relating to inscribed properties, including evaluations and otherdocuments developed by the Advisory Bodies, any correspondence andreports received from States Parties (including Reactive Monitoring andPeriodic Reports) and correspondence and material from the Secretariat andWorld Heritage Committee.

282.

Archived material will be kept in a form appropriate to long-term storage.
Provisions will be made for the storage of paper copies and electronic
copies, as relevant. Provision will be made for copies to be provided toStates Parties as requested.

283.

Nominations of those properties inscribed on the World Heritage List by
the Committee will be made available for consultation. States Parties are
urged to place a copy of the nomination on their own Web addresses andinform the Secretariat of this action. States Parties preparing nominations
may wish to use such information as guides for identifying and elaborating
nomination of properties within their own territories.

284.

Advisory Body evaluations for each nomination and the decision of theCommittee concerning each nomination are available at the following Web
address: http://whc.unesco.org/en/advisorybodies

IX.B

Specific Information for World Heritage Committee members andother States Parties

285.

The Secretariat maintains two electronic mailing lists: one for Committee
members (wh-committee@unesco.org) and one for all States Parties (whstates@unesco.org). States Parties are requested to supply all appropriate
email addresses for the establishment of these lists. These electronic
mailing lists, which supplement but do not replace the traditional means of
notifying States Parties, allow the Secretariat to communicate, in a timely
manner, announcements about the availability of documents, changes tomeeting schedules, and other issues relevant to Committee members andother States Parties.

286.

Circular letters to the States Parties are available at the following Web
address: http://whc.unesco.org/en/circularletters
Another Web address, linked to the public Web address through restricted
access, is maintained by the Secretariat and contains specific information
targeted at Committee members, other States Parties and Advisory Bodies.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

63

287.

The Secretariat maintains also a database of decisions of the Committee andresolutions of the General Assembly of States Parties. These are available atthe following Web addres:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions

IX.C

Information and publications available to the public288.

The Secretariat provides access to information labelled as publicly available
and copyright free on World Heritage properties and other relevant matters,
wherever possible.

289.

Information on issues related to World Heritage is available at the
Secretariat’s Web address (http://whc.unesco.org), on the Web addresses of
the Advisory Bodies and in libraries. A list of databases accessible on the
web and links to relevant web addresses can be found in the Bibliography.

290.

The Secretariat produces a wide variety of World Heritage publications,
including the World Heritage List, the List of World Heritage in Danger,
Brief Descriptions of World Heritage properties, World Heritage Papers
series, newsletters, brochures and information kits. In addition, otherinformation materials aimed specifically at experts and the general public
are also developed. The list of World Heritage publications can be found in
the Bibliography or at the following Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/publications.

Decision 28 COM 9

These information materials are distributed to the public directly or throughthe national and international networks established by States Parties or byWorld Heritage partners.

64

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

ANNEXES

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention65Model Instrument of Ratification/Acceptance and Accession

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World
Heritage
Convention

MODEL INSTRUMENT
OF RATIFICATION / ACCEPTANCE

WHEREAS the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural
Heritage was adopted on 16 November 1972 by the General Conference of UNESCO at its
seventeenth session;

NOW THEREFORE the Government of ._______________________ having considered theaforesaid Convention, hereby [ratifies

the same and undertake faithfully to carry out[accepts
the stipulations therein contained.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed and sealed this instrument.

Done at _____________ this ______________day of _______________ 20________.

(Seal)

Signature of Head of State,

Prime Minister or

Minister of Foreign Affairs

 The model instrument of ratification / acceptance is available from the UNESCO World Heritage
Centre and at the following Web address: http://whc.unesco.org/en/modelratification
 The original signed version of the completed form should be sent, preferably with an officialtranslation in English or French, to: Director-General, UNESCO, 7 place de Fontenoy, 75352
Paris 07 SP, France

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Model Instrument of Ratification/Acceptance and Accession

World
Heritage
Convention

MODEL INSTRUMENT
OF ACCESSION

WHEREAS the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural
Heritage was adopted on 16 November 1972 by the General Conference of UNESCO at its
seventeenth session;

NOW THEREFORE the Government of ._______________________ having considered theaforesaid Convention, hereby accedes the same and undertake faithfully to carry out the
stipulations therein contained.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed and sealed this instrument.

Done at _____________ this ______________day of _______________ 20________.

(Seal)

Signature of Head of State,

Prime Minister or

Minister of Foreign Affairs

 The model instrument of accession is available from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and at
the following Web address: http://whc.unesco.org/en/modelratification
 The original signed version of the completed form should be sent, preferably with an officialtranslation in English or French, to: Director-General, UNESCO, 7 place de Fontenoy, 75352
Paris 07 SP, France

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Tentative List Submission Format

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STATE PARTY:DATE OF SUBMISSION:

Submission prepared by:Name:

E-mail:Address:

Fax:

Institution:

Telephone:

Name of Property:
State, Province or Region:
Latitude and Longitude, or UTM coordinates:
DESCRIPTION:
Justification of Outstanding Universal Value:(Preliminary identification of the values of the property which merit inscription on the World Heritage List)

Criteria met [see Paragraph 77 of the Operational Guidelines]:(Please tick the box corresponding to the proposed criteria and justify the use of each below)

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

(vii)

(viii)(ix)(x)

Statements of authenticity and/or integrity [see Paragraphs 78-95 of the Operational Guidelines]:
Comparison with other similar properties:(The comparison should outline similarities with other properties on the World Heritage List or not, and the reasonsthat make the property stand out) The Tentative List submission format is available from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and at the following
Web address: http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists
 Further guidance on the preparation of Tentative Lists can be found in Paragraphs 62-67 of the Operational
Guidelines.
 An example of a completed Tentative List submission format can be found at the following Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists
 All Tentative Lists submitted by States Parties are available at the following Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists
 The original signed version of the completed Tentative List submission format should be sent in English or French
to: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 7 place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France States Parties are encouraged to also submit this information in electronic format (diskette or CD-Rom) or by e-mailto wh-tentativelists@unesco.org

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Tentative List Submission Format for Transnational
and Transboundary Future Nominations

World
Heritage
Convention

STATE PARTY:DATE OF SUBMISSION:

Submission14 prepared by:Name:

E-mail:Title:
Address:

Fax:

Institution:

Telephone:

1.aName of the transnational / transboundary future nomination15 :1.bOther States Parties participating:

1.cName(s) of the national component part(s):1.dState, Province or Region:

1.e

Latitude and Longitude, or Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates:

2.aBrief Description of the transnational / transboundary future nomination16 :2.bDescription of the component part(s):3.

JUSTIFICATION FOR OUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE 17 OF THE FUTURENOMINATION AS A WHOLE(Preliminary identification of the values of the future nomination as a whole which merit inscription on the World
Heritage List)

3.a

Criteria met18 [see Paragraph 77 of the Operational Guidelines]:(Please tick the box corresponding to the proposed criteria and justify the use of each below)

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

(vii)

(viii)(ix)(x)

14 This submission will be valid only when all the States Parties indicated in Section 1.b have sent their submissions.
15 The text provided in this section should be identical in all submissions of the States Parties involved in the presentation of the sametransnational / transboundary future nomination.
16 In case of transnational/transboundary properties any modification will need the agreement of all States Parties concerned.
17 In case of transnational/transboundary properties any modification will need the agreement of all States Parties concerned.
18 In case of transnational/transboundary properties any modification will need the agreement of all States Parties concerned.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

69Annex 2B

3.bTentative List Submission Format for Transnational
and Transboundary Future Nominations

Statements of authenticity and/or integrity [see Paragraphs 79-95 of the Operational Guidelines]:

3.c.1 Justification of the selection of the component part(s) in relation to the future nomination as awhole:

3.c.2

Comparison with other similar properties19 :(This comparison should outline the similarities with other properties inscribed or not on the World Heritage List, andthe reasons for the exceptional character of the future nomination).

19 In case of transnational/transboundary properties any modification will need the agreement of all States Parties concerned.

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Guidelines on the inscription of specific types of properties
on the World Heritage List

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World
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Annex 3GUIDELINES ON THE INSCRIPTIONOF SPECIFIC TYPES OF PROPERTIESON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST20

The ICOMOS List of thematic studies is available at the following address:
http://www.icomos.org/studies
The IUCN List of thematic studies is available at the following address:
http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/wcpa_worldheritage/wheritage_pub/
INTRODUCTION
1.

This annex provides information on specific types of properties to guide States Parties in preparing
nominations of properties for inscription on the World Heritage List. The following information
constitutes guidelines that should be used in association with Chapter II of the Operational
Guidelines, which contains the criteria for inscription of properties on the World Heritage List.

2.

The Committee has endorsed the findings of expert meetings on the subject of cultural landscapes,
towns, canals and routes (Part I, below).

3.

The reports of other expert meetings requested by the World Heritage Committee, in the frameworkof the Global Strategy for a representative, balanced and credible World Heritage List, are referred
to in Part II.

4.

Part III lists various comparative and thematic studies prepared by the Advisory Bodies.

I. CULTURAL Landscapes, TOWNS, CANALS AND ROUTES
5.

The World Heritage Committee has identified and defined several specific types of cultural andnatural properties and has adopted specific guidelines to facilitate the evaluation of such properties
when nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List. To date, these cover the following
categories, although it is likely that others may be added in due course:a)Cultural Landscapes;b)Historic Towns and Town Centres;c)Heritage Canals;d)Heritage Routes.

20 The Committee may develop additional guidelines for other types of properties in future years.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

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Guidelines on the inscription of specific types of properties on theWorld Heritage List

Annex 3CULTURAL LANDSCAPES21
Definition
6.

Cultural landscapes are cultural properties and represent the "combined works of nature and of man"designated in Article 1 of the Convention. They are illustrative of the evolution of human society andsettlement over time, under the influence of the physical constraints and/or opportunities presented
by their natural environment and of successive social, economic and cultural forces, both external
and internal.

7.

They should be selected on the basis both of their Outstanding Universal Value and of theirrepresentativity in terms of a clearly defined geo-cultural region and also for their capacity toillustrate the essential and distinct cultural elements of such regions.

8.

The term "cultural landscape" embraces a diversity of manifestations of the interaction between
humankind and its natural environment.

9.

Cultural landscapes often reflect specific techniques of sustainable land-use, considering thecharacteristics and limits of the natural environment they are established in, and a specific spiritual
relation to nature. Protection of cultural landscapes can contribute to modern techniques ofsustainable land-use and can maintain or enhance natural values in the landscape. The continued
existence of traditional forms of land-use supports biological diversity in many regions of the world.
The protection of traditional cultural landscapes is therefore helpful in maintaining biologicaldiversity.

Definition and Categories
10.

Cultural landscapes fall into three main categories, namely:(i)

The most easily identifiable is the clearly defined landscape designed and createdintentionally by man. This embraces garden and parkland landscapes constructed foraesthetic reasons which are often (but not always) associated with religious or othermonumental buildings and ensembles.

(ii)

The second category is the organically evolved landscape. This results from an initial social,economic, administrative, and/or religious imperative and has developed its present form byassociation with and in response to its natural environment. Such landscapes reflect thatprocess of evolution in their form and component features. They fall into two sub-categories:

(iii)

-

a relict (or fossil) landscape is one in which an evolutionary process came to an end atsome time in the past, either abruptly or over a period. Its significant distinguishingfeatures are, however, still visible in material form.

-

a continuing landscape is one which retains an active social role in contemporarysociety closely associated with the traditional way of life, and in which theevolutionary process is still in progress. At the same time it exhibits significant
material evidence of its evolution over time.

The final category is the associative cultural landscape. The inscription of such landscapeson the World Heritage List is justifiable by virtue of the powerful religious, artistic or
cultural associations of the natural element rather than material cultural evidence, which may
be insignificant or even absent.

21

This text was prepared by an Expert Group on Cultural Landscapes (La Petite Pierre, France, 24 - 26 October 1992)(see document WHC-92/CONF.202/10/Add). The text was subsequently approved for inclusion in the Operational
Guidelines by the World Heritage Committee at its 16th session (Santa Fe 1992) (see document WHC92/CONF.002/12).

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Guidelines on the inscription of specific types of properties
on the World Heritage List

Annex 3

Inscription of Cultural Landscapes on the World Heritage List
11.

The extent of a cultural landscape for inscription on the World Heritage List is relative to its
functionality and intelligibility. In any case, the sample selected must be substantial enough toadequately represent the totality of the cultural landscape that it illustrates. The possibility ofdesignating long linear areas which represent culturally significant transport and communication
networks should not be excluded.

12.

General criteria for protection and management are equally applicable to cultural landscapes. It is
important that due attention be paid to the full range of values represented in the landscape, both
cultural and natural. The nominations should be prepared in collaboration with and the full approvalof local communities.

13.

The existence of a category of "cultural landscape", included on the World Heritage List on thebasis of the criteria set out in Paragraph 77 of the Operational Guidelines, does not exclude thepossibility of properties of exceptional importance in relation to both cultural and natural criteria
continuing to be inscribed (see definition of mixed properties as set out in Paragraph 46). In suchcases, their Outstanding Universal Value must be justified under both sets of criteria.

HISTORIC TOWNS AND TOWN CENTRES22
Definition and Categories
14.

Groups of urban buildings eligible for inscription on the World Heritage List fall into three maincategories, namely:(i)towns which are no longer inhabited but which provide unchanged archaeological evidenceof the past; these generally satisfy the criterion of authenticity and their state of conservation
can be relatively easily controlled;(ii)

historic towns which are still inhabited and which, by their very nature, have developed
and will continue to develop under the influence of socio-economic and cultural change, asituation that renders the assessment of their authenticity more difficult and any conservation
policy more problematical;(iii)

new towns of the twentieth century which paradoxically have something in common withboth the aforementioned categories: while their original urban organization is clearlyrecognizable and their authenticity is undeniable, their future is unclear because theirdevelopment is largely uncontrollable.

Inscription of Historic Towns and Town Centres on the World Heritage List
15.

The significance of Historic Towns and Town Centres can be examined under the factors outlined
below:(i)

Towns no longer inhabited

The evaluation of towns that are no longer inhabited does not raise any special difficulties other thanthose related to archaeological properties in general: the criteria which call for uniqueness or
exemplary character have led to the choice of groups of buildings noteworthy for their purity of style,for the concentrations of monuments they contain and sometimes for their important historicalassociations. It is important for urban archaeological sites to be listed as integral units. A cluster of
22This text was included in the January 1987 version of the Operational Guidelines following the discussion by theCommittee at its 8th session (Buenos Aires, 1984) of the conclusions of the Meeting of Experts to Consult on HistoricTowns which met in Paris from 5 to 7 September 1984 organized by ICOMOS.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention73

Guidelines on the inscription of specific types of properties on theWorld Heritage List

Annex 3monuments or a small group of buildings is not adequate to suggest the multiple and complex
functions of a city which has disappeared; remains of such a city should be preserved in their entirety
together with their natural surroundings whenever possible.
(ii)

Inhabited historic towns

In the case of inhabited historic towns the difficulties are numerous, largely owing to the fragility of
their urban fabric (which has in many cases been seriously disrupted since the advent of the industrialera) and the runaway speed with which their surroundings have been urbanized. To qualify for
inscription, towns should compel recognition because of their architectural interest and should not be
considered only on the intellectual grounds of the role they may have played in the past or their value
as historical symbols under criterion (vi) for the inscription of cultural properties on the World
Heritage List (see Paragraph 77 (vi) of the Operational Guidelines). To be eligible for inscription in
the List, the spatial organization, structure, materials, forms and, where possible, functions of a groupof buildings should essentially reflect the civilization or succession of civilizations which haveprompted the nomination of the property. Four categories can be distinguished:a)Towns which are typical of a specific period or culture, which have been almost
wholly preserved and which have remained largely unaffected by subsequentdevelopments. Here the property to be listed is the entire town together with its
surroundings, which must also be protected;b)

Towns that have evolved along characteristic lines and have preserved, sometimes in
the midst of exceptional natural surroundings, spatial arrangements and structures thatare typical of the successive stages in their history. Here the clearly defined historicpart takes precedence over the contemporary environment;c)"Historic centres" that cover exactly the same area as ancient towns and are now
enclosed within modern cities. Here it is necessary to determine the precise limits ofthe property in its widest historical dimensions and to make appropriate provision for
its immediate surroundings;d)Sectors, areas or isolated units which, even in the residual state in which they havesurvived, provide coherent evidence of the character of a historic town which has
disappeared. In such cases surviving areas and buildings should bear sufficienttestimony to the former whole.

Historic centres and historic areas should be listed only where they contain a large number of ancientbuildings of monumental importance which provide a direct indication of the characteristic featuresof a town of exceptional interest. Nominations of several isolated and unrelated buildings which
allegedly represent, in themselves, a town whose urban fabric has ceased to be discernible, should
not be encouraged.
However, nominations could be made regarding properties that occupy a limited space but have had
a major influence on the history of town planning. In such cases, the nomination should make it clearthat it is the monumental group that is to be listed and that the town is mentioned only incidentally as
the place where the property is located. Similarly, if a building of clearly Outstanding Universal
Value is located in severely degraded or insufficiently representative urban surroundings, it should,of course, be listed without any special reference to the town.
(iii)

New towns of the twentieth century

It is difficult to assess the quality of new towns of the twentieth century. History alone will tell whichof them will best serve as examples of contemporary town planning. The examination of the files onthese towns should be deferred, save under exceptional circumstances.
Under present conditions, preference should be given to the inscription in the World Heritage List ofsmall or medium-sized urban areas which are in a position to manage any potential growth, rather

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Guidelines on the inscription of specific types of properties
on the World Heritage List

Annex 3than the great metropolises, on which sufficiently complete information and documentation cannot
readily be provided that would serve as a satisfactory basis for their inscription in their entirety.
In view of the effects which the inscription of a town on the World Heritage List could have on its
future, such entries should be exceptional. Inscription in the List implies that legislative andadministrative measures have already been taken to ensure the protection of the group of buildings
and its environment. Informed awareness on the part of the population concerned, without whose
active participation any conservation scheme would be impractical, is also essential.
HERITAGE CANALS
16.

The concept of "canals" is discussed in detail in the Report of the Expert Meeting on Heritage
Canals (Canada, September 1994)23.

Definition
17.

A canal is a human-engineered waterway. It may be of Outstanding Universal Value from the pointof view of history or technology, either intrinsically or as an exceptional example representative of
this category of cultural property. The canal may be a monumental work, the defining feature of alinear cultural landscape, or an integral component of a complex cultural landscape.

Inscription of Heritage Canals on the World Heritage List
18.

Authenticity depends holistically upon values and the relationships between these values. One
distinctive feature of the canal as a heritage element is its evolution over time. This is linked to how
it was used during different periods and the associated technological changes the canal underwent.
The extent of these changes may constitute a heritage element.

19.

The authenticity and historical interpretation of a canal encompass the connection between the real
property (subject of the Convention), possible movable property (boats, temporary navigation items)
and the associated structures (bridges, etc) and landscape.

20.

The significance of canals can be examined under technological, economic, social, and landscapefactors as outlined below:(i)Technology

Canals can serve a variety of purposes: irrigation, navigation, defence, water-power, flood
mitigation, land-drainage and water-supply. The following are areas of technology which may be ofsignificance:

(ii)

a)

The lining and waterproofing of the water channel;b)

The engineering structures of the line with reference to comparative structuralfeatures in other areas of architecture and technology;c)

The development of the sophistication of construction methods; andd)The transfer of technologies.

EconomyCanals contribute to the economy in a variety of ways, e.g. in terms of economic development andthe conveyance of goods and people. Canals were the first man-made routes for the effective
carriage of bulk cargoes. Canals played and continue to play a key role in economic development
through their use for irrigation. The following factors are important:
23 Expert meeting on "Heritage Canals" (Canada, 15-19 September 1994) (see document WHC-94/CONF.003/INF.10) discussed by

the World Heritage Committee at its 19th session (Berlin, Germany, 1995) (see document WHC-95/CONF.203/16).

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Guidelines on the inscription of specific types of properties on theWorld Heritage List

(iii)

a)

Nation building;b)

Agricultural development;c)Industrial development;d)Generation of wealth;e)

Development of engineering skills applied to other areas and industries; andf)Tourism.

Annex 3Social Factors

The building of canals had, and their operation continues to have, social consequences:

(iv)

e)

The redistribution of wealth with social and cultural results; andf)

The movement of people and the interaction of cultural groups.

LandscapeSuch large-scale engineering works had and continue to have an impact on the natural landscape.
Related industrial activity and changing settlement patterns cause visible changes to landscapeforms and patterns.
HERITAGE ROUTES21.

The concept of "routes" or cultural itineraries was discussed by the expert meeting on "Routes as aPart of our Cultural Heritage" (Madrid, Spain, November 1994)24.

Definition
22.

The concept of heritage routes is shown to be a rich and fertile one, offering a privileged frameworkin which mutual understanding, a plural approach to history and a culture of peace can all operate.

23.

A heritage route is composed of tangible elements of which the cultural significance comes fromexchanges and a multi-dimensional dialogue across countries or regions, and that illustrate theinteraction of movement, along the route, in space and time.

Inscription of Heritage Routes on the World Heritage List
24.

The following points should be considered when determining whether a heritage route is suitablefor inscription on the World Heritage List:(i)

The requirement to hold Outstanding Universal Value should be recalled.

(ii)

The concept of heritage routes:-

is based on the dynamics of movement and the idea of exchanges, with continuity inspace and time;-refers to a whole, where the route has a worth over and above the sum of the elements
making it up and through which it gains its cultural significance;-

highlights exchange and dialogue between countries or between regions;

24 Expert

Meeting on "Routes as part of Our Cultural Heritage" (Madrid, 24-25 November 1994) (see document WHC94/CONF.003/INF.13) discussed by the World Heritage Committee at its 19th session (Berlin, 1995) (see document WHC95/CONF.203/16).

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Guidelines on the inscription of specific types of properties
on the World Heritage List-

Annex 3is multi-dimensional, with different aspects developing and adding to its prime
purpose which may be religious, commercial, administrative or otherwise.

(iii)

A heritage route may be considered as a specific, dynamic type of cultural landscape, just as
recent debates have led to their acceptance within the Operational Guidelines.

(iv)

The identification of a heritage route is based on a collection of strengths and tangible
elements, testimony to the significance of the route itself.

(v)

The conditions of authenticity are to be applied on the grounds of its significance and otherelements making up the heritage route. It will take into account the duration of the route, andperhaps how often it is used nowadays, as well as the legitimate wishes for development ofpeoples affected.
These points will be considered within the natural framework of the route and its intangible
and symbolic dimensions.

II. REPORTS OF REGIONAL AND THEMATIC EXPERT MEETINGS
25.

The World Heritage Committee, in the framework of the Global Strategy for a representative,
balanced and credible World Heritage List has requested a number of regional and thematic expert
meetings on different types of properties. The results of these meetings may guide States Parties in
preparing nominations. The reports of the expert meetings presented to the World Heritage
Committee are available at the following Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/globalstrategy

III. THEMATIC AND COMPARATIVE STUDIES BY THE ADVISORY BODIES26.

To fulfil their obligations concerning evaluations of nominations of cultural and natural properties,
the Advisory Bodies have undertaken comparative and thematic studies, often with partnerorganizations, in different subject areas in order to provide a context for their evaluations.
These reports, most of which are available on their respective Web addresses, include:
Earth's Geological History - A Contextual Framework for Assessment of World Heritage Fossil Site
Nominations (September 1996)
International Canal Monuments List (1996)
http://www.icomos.org/studies/canals-toc.htm
World Heritage Bridges (1996)
http://www.icomos.org/studies/bridges.htm
A Global Overview of Forest Protected Areas on the World Heritage List (September 1997)
http://www.unep-wcmc.org/wh/reviews/forests/
A Global Overview of Wetland and Marine Protected Areas on the World Heritage List (September
1997)
http://www.unep-wcmc.org/wh/reviews/wetlands/
Human Use of World Heritage Natural Sites (September 1997)
http://www.unep-wcmc.org/wh/reviews/human/
Fossil Hominid Sites (1997)
http://www.icomos.org/studies/hominid.htm

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Annex 3

The Urban Architectural Heritage of Latin America (1998)
http://www.icomos.org/studies/latin-towns.htm
Les Théâtres et les Amphithéâtres antiques (1999)
http://www.icomos.org/studies/theatres.htm
Railways as World Heritage Sites (1999)
http://www.icomos.org/studies/railways.htm
A Global Overview of Protected Areas on the World Heritage List of Particular Importance for
Biodiversity (November 2000)
http://www.unep-wcmc.org/wh/reviews/
Les villages ouvriers comme éléments du patrimoine de l'industrie (2001)
http://www.icomos.org/studies/villages-ouvriers.htm
A Global Strategy for Geological World Heritage (February 2002)
Rock-Art Sites of Southern Africa (2002)
http://www.icomos.org/studies/sarockart.htm

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Authenticity in relation to the World Heritage Convention

World
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AUTHENTICITY IN RELATION
TO THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTIONINTRODUCTION
This Annex reproduces the Nara Document on Authenticity, drafted by the 45 participants to the Nara
Conference on Authenticity in Relation to the World Heritage Convention, held at Nara, Japan, from
1-6 November 1994. The Nara Conference was organized in co-operation with UNESCO, ICCROM
and ICOMOS.
The World Heritage Committee examined the report of the Nara meeting on Authenticity at its 18th
session (Phuket, Thailand, 1994) (see document WHC-94/CONF.003/16).
Subsequent expert meetings have enriched the concept of authenticity in relation to the World Heritage
Convention (see Bibliography of the Operational Guidelines).
I.

THE NARA DOCUMENT ON AUTHENTICITY

Preamble1.

We, the experts assembled in Nara (Japan), wish to acknowledge the generous spirit and intellectual
courage of the Japanese authorities in providing a timely forum in which we could challenge
conventional thinking in the conservation field, and debate ways and means of broadening ourhorizons to bring greater respect for cultural and heritage diversity to conservation practice.

2.

We also wish to acknowledge the value of the framework for discussion provided by the World Heritage
Committee's desire to apply the test of authenticity in ways which accord full respect to the social andcultural values of all societies, in examining the outstanding universal value of cultural properties proposed
for the World Heritage List.

3.

The Nara Document on Authenticity is conceived in the spirit of the Charter of Venice, 1964, andbuilds on it and extends it in response to the expanding scope of cultural heritage concerns andinterests in our contemporary world.

4.

In a world that is increasingly subject to the forces of globalization and homogenization, and in aworld in which the search for cultural identity is sometimes pursued through aggressive nationalism
and the suppression of the cultures of minorities, the essential contribution made by the considerationof authenticity in conservation practice is to clarify and illuminate the collective memory of humanity.

Cultural Diversity and Heritage Diversity
5.

The diversity of cultures and heritage in our world is an irreplaceable source of spiritual andintellectual richness for all humankind. The protection and enhancement of cultural and heritage
diversity in our world should be actively promoted as an essential aspect of human development.

6.

Cultural heritage diversity exists in time and space, and demands respect for other cultures and all
aspects of their belief systems. In cases where cultural values appear to be in conflict, respect for
cultural diversity demands acknowledgment of the legitimacy of the cultural values of all parties.

7.

All cultures and societies are rooted in the particular forms and means of tangible and intangible
expression which constitute their heritage, and these should be respected.

8.

It is important to underline a fundamental principle of UNESCO, to the effect that the cultural heritageof each is the cultural heritage of all. Responsibility for cultural heritage and the management of it

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Authenticity in relation to the World Heritage Convention

belongs, in the first place, to the cultural community that has generated it, and subsequently to thatwhich cares for it. However, in addition to these responsibilities, adherence to the international
charters and conventions developed for conservation of cultural heritage also obliges consideration of
the principles and responsibilities flowing from them. Balancing their own requirements with those ofother cultural communities is, for each community, highly desirable, provided achieving this balancedoes not undermine their fundamental cultural values.
Values and authenticity
9.

Conservation of cultural heritage in all its forms and historical periods is rooted in the values
attributed to the heritage. Our ability to understand these values depends, in part, on the degree towhich information sources about these values may be understood as credible or truthful. Knowledge
and understanding of these sources of information, in relation to original and subsequentcharacteristics of the cultural heritage, and their meaning, is a requisite basis for assessing all aspectsof authenticity.

10.

Authenticity, considered in this way and affirmed in the Charter of Venice, appears as the essential
qualifying factor concerning values. The understanding of authenticity plays a fundamental role in all
scientific studies of the cultural heritage, in conservation and restoration planning, as well as within
the inscription procedures used for the World Heritage Convention and other cultural heritage
inventories.

11.

All judgements about values attributed to cultural properties as well as the credibility of related
information sources may differ from culture to culture, and even within the same culture. It is thus notpossible to base judgements of values and authenticity within fixed criteria. On the contrary, therespect due to all cultures requires that heritage properties must be considered and judged within thecultural contexts to which they belong.

12.

Therefore, it is of the highest importance and urgency that, within each culture, recognition beaccorded to the specific nature of its heritage values and the credibility and truthfulness of related
information sources.

13.

Depending on the nature of the cultural heritage, its cultural context, and its evolution through time,authenticity judgements may be linked to the worth of a great variety of sources of information.
Aspects of the sources may include form and design, materials and substance, use and function,
traditions and techniques, location and setting, and spirit and feeling, and other internal and external
factors. The use of these sources permits elaboration of the specific artistic, historic, social, andscientific dimensions of the cultural heritage being examined.

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Annex 4

Appendix 1: Suggestions for follow-up (proposed by Herb Stovel)
1.

Respect for cultural and heritage diversity requires conscious efforts to avoid imposing mechanistic
formulae or standardized procedures in attempting to define or determine authenticity of particularmonuments and sites.

2.

Efforts to determine authenticity in a manner respectful of cultures and heritage diversity requires
approaches which encourage cultures to develop analytical processes and tools specific to their nature andneeds. Such approaches may have several aspects in common:- efforts to ensure assessment of authenticity involve multidisciplinary collaboration and the appropriate
utilisation of all available expertise and knowledge;- efforts to ensure attributed values are truly representative of a culture and the diversity of its interests,
in particular monuments and sites;- efforts to document clearly the particular nature of authenticity for monuments and sites as apractical guide to future treatment and monitoring;- efforts to update authenticity assessments in light of changing values and circumstances.
3.

Particularly important are efforts to ensure that attributed values are respected, and that theirdetermination included efforts to build, as far as possible, a multidisciplinary and community
consensus concerning these values.

4.

Approaches should also build on and facilitate international co-operation among all those with aninterest in conservation of cultural heritage, in order to improve global respect and understanding forthe diverse expressions and values of each culture.

5.

Continuation and extension of this dialogue to the various regions and cultures of the world is aprerequisite to increasing the practical value of consideration of authenticity in the conservation of thecommon heritage of humankind.

6.

Increasing awareness within the public of this fundamental dimension of heritage is an absolutenecessity in order to arrive at concrete measures for safeguarding the vestiges of the past. This meansdeveloping greater understanding of the values represented by the cultural properties themselves, aswell as respecting the role such monuments and sites play in contemporary society.

Appendix 2: Definitions
Conservation: all efforts designed to understand cultural heritage, know its history and meaning, ensure its
material safeguard and, as required, its presentation, restoration and enhancement. (Cultural heritage isunderstood to include monuments, groups of buildings and sites of cultural value as defined in Article 1 of theWorld Heritage Convention).
Information sources: all material, written, oral and figurative sources which make it possible to know thenature, specifications, meaning and history of the cultural heritage.

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II.

Authenticity in relation to the World Heritage Convention

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY - ON AUTHENTICITY

Publications which preceded the Nara meeting and which helped prepare the ground for the authenticity
discussion which took place in Nara:
Larsen, Knut Einar, A note on the authenticity of historic timber buildings with particular reference toJapan, Occasional Papers for the World Heritage Convention, ICOMOS, December 1992.
Larsen, Knut Einar, Authenticity and Reconstruction: Architectural Preservation in Japan, NorwegianInstitute of Technology, Vols. 1-2, 1993.
Preparatory meeting for the Nara Meeting, held in Bergen, Norway, 31 January - 1 February 1994:
Larsen, Knut Einar and Marstein, Nils (ed.), Conference on authenticity in relation to the World Heritage
Convention Preparatory workshop, Bergen, Norway, 31 January - 2 February 1994, Tapir Forlag,
Trondheim 1994.
The Nara meeting, 1-6 November 1994, Nara, Japan:
Larsen, Knut Einar with an editorial group (Jokilehto, Lemaire, Masuda, Marstein, Stovel), Nara conferenceon authenticity in relation to the World Heritage Convention. Conférence de Nara sur l'authenticité dans lecadre de la Convention du Patrimoine Mondial. Nara, Japan, 1-6 November 1994, Proceedings publishedby UNESCO - World Heritage Centre, Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan, ICCROM and ICOMOS, 1994.
The Nara meeting brought together 45 experts from 26 countries and international organizations fromaround the world. Their papers are contained in the volume cited above, as is the Nara document prepared ina working group of 12 meeting participants and edited by Raymond Lemaire and Herb Stovel. This volumeof Proceedings invites members of ICOMOS and others to extend the discussions of the Nara Document
issues to other regions of the world.
Significant post-Nara regional meetings (as of January 2005):
Authenticity and Monitoring, October 17-22, 1995, Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic, ICOMOS European
Conference, 1995.
The European ICOMOS Conference of 17-22 October, 1995 which took place in Cesky Krumlov, Czech
Republic brought together 18 European members of ICOMOS to present national views of the applicationof authenticity concepts from 14 countries. A synthesis of presentations affirmed the importance ofauthenticity within the analytical processes we apply to conservation problems as a means of assuring
truthful, sincere and honest approaches to conservation problems, and gave emphasis to strengthening thenotion of dynamic conservation in order to apply authenticity analysis appropriately to cultural landscapesand urban settings.
Interamerican symposium on authenticity in the conservation and management of the cultural heritage,
US/ICOMOS, The Getty Conservation Institute, San Antonio, Texas 1996.
This Authenticity meeting which took place in San Antonio, Texas, USA in March 1996, brought together
participants from ICOMOS national committees of North, Central and South America to debate theapplication of the concepts of Nara. The meeting adopted the Declaration of San Antonio, which discussed
the relationship between authenticity and identity, history, materials, social value, dynamic and static sites,
stewardship and economics, and contained recommendations extending “proofs” of authenticity to include
reflection of its true value, integrity, context, identity, use and function, as well as recommendations
pertinent to different typologies of sites.
Saouma-Forero, Galia, (edited by), Authenticity and integrity in an African context: expert meeting, Great
Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe, 26-29 May 2000, UNESCO - World Heritage Centre, Paris 2001.

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Authenticity in relation to the World Heritage Convention

Annex 4The Great Zimbabwe meeting organised by the World Heritage Centre (26-29 May 2000) focused attention
on both authenticity and integrity in an African context. Eighteen speakers looked at issues arising inmanagement of both cultural and natural heritage properties. The meeting resulted in the publication cited
above, which includes a set of recommendations coming from meeting participants. Among
recommendations were suggestions to include management systems, language, and other forms ofintangible heritage among attributes expressing authenticity, and an emphasis given to the place of local
communities in the sustainable heritage management process.
Reconstruction discussions in the context of the World Heritage Convention (as of January 2005):
The Riga Charter on authenticity and historical reconstruction in relationship to cultural heritage adopted
by regional conference, Riga, 24 October 2000, Latvian National Commission for UNESCO - World
Heritage Centre, ICCROM.
Incerti Medici, Elena and Stovel, Herb, Authenticity and historical reconstruction in relationship with
cultural heritage, regional conference, Riga, Latvia, October 23-24 2000: summary report, UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Paris, ICCROM, Rome 2001.
Stovel, Herb, The Riga Charter on authenticity and historical reconstruction in relationship to cultural
heritage, Riga, Latvia, October 2000, in Conservation and management of archaeological sites, Vol. 4, n. 4,
2001.
Alternatives to historical reconstruction in the World Heritage Cities, Tallinn, 16-18 May 2002, Tallinn
Cultural Heritage Department, Estonia National Commission for UNESCO, Estonia National Heritage
Board.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention83Format for the nomination of properties for inscription on the World Heritage List

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FORMAT FOR THE NOMINATION OF PROPERTIESFOR INSCRIPTION ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST

This Format must be used for all nominations
submitted after 2 February 2005





84

The Nomination Format is available at the following Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/nominationform
Further guidance on the preparation of nominations can be found in Section III of the
Operational Guidelines
The original signed version of the completed Nomination Format should be sent in English or French
to
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
7, place de Fontenoy
75352 Paris 07 SP
FranceTelephone: +33 (0) 1 4568 1571
Fax: +33 (0) 1 4568 5570
E-mail: wh-nominations@unesco.org

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Format for the nomination of properties for inscription on the World Heritage List

Annex 5

Executive Summary
This information, to be provided by the State Party, will be updated by the Secretariat following thedecision by the World Heritage Committee. It will then be returned to the State Party confirming thebasis on which the property is inscribed on the World Heritage List.
State Party
State, Province or Region
Name of Property
Geographical coordinates to the nearest second
Textual description of the boundary(ies) of thenominated property

A4 or A3 size map(s) of the nominated property, Attach A4 or A3 size map(s) which should be theshowing boundaries and buffer zone (if present) reduced size version of the original copies of
topographic or cadastral maps showing thenominated property and buffer zone (if present) at
the largest scale available included or annexed to thenomination.

Criteria under which property is nominated(itemize criteria)(see Paragraph 77 of the Operational Guidelines)
Draft Statement of Outstanding Universal
Value (text should clarify what is considered to be
the Outstanding Universal Value embodied by thenominated property, approximately 1-2 pageformat)According to the paragraph 155, the Statement of
Outstanding Universal Value should be composed of:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Name and contact information of official local
institution/agency

Brief synthesis
Justification for Criteria
Statement of Integrity (for all properties)
Statement of authenticity for properties nominatedunder criteria (i) to (vi)
Requirements for protection and management
See format in Annex 10

Organization:
Address:
Tel:
Fax:
E-mail:Web address:

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention85Annex 5

Format for the nomination of properties for inscription on the World Heritage List

Properties for inscription on the World Heritage List
Note:

In preparing the nomination, States Parties should use this format but delete the explanatory notes.

1.

NOMINATION FORMAT
Identification of the Property

1.aCountry (and State Party if
different)

1.bState, Province or Region

1.cName of Property

EXPLANATORY NOTES
Together with Section 2, this is the most important section in thenomination. It must make clear to the Committee precisely
where the property is located and how it is geographicallydefined. In the case of serial nominations, insert a table thatshows the name of the component part, region (if different fordifferent components), coordinates, area and buffer zone. Other
fields could also be added (page reference or map number, etc.)that differentiate the several components.

This is the official name of the property that will appear in
published material about World Heritage. It should be concise.
Do not exceed 200 characters, including spaces and punctuation.
In the case of serial nominations (see Paragraphs 137 -139 of the
Operational Guidelines), give a name for the ensemble (e.g.,
Baroque Churches of the Philippines). Do not include the nameof the components of a serial nomination, which should be
included in a table as part of 1.d and 1.f.

1.dGeographical coordinates to thenearest second

In this space provide the latitude and longitude coordinates (tothe nearest second) or UTM coordinates (to the nearest 10
metres) of a point at the approximate centre of the nominatedproperty. Do not use other coordinate systems. If in doubt,
please consult the Secretariat.
In the case of serial nominations, provide a table showing thename of each component part, its region (or nearest town asappropriate), and the coordinates of its centre point. Coordinate
format examples:
N 45° 06' 05" W 15° 37' 56" or
UTM Zone 18 Easting: 545670
Northing: 4586750

Idn°

Name of thecomponent part

Region(s) /District(s)Coordinates of theCentral Point

Area of Nominatedcomponent of theProperty (ha)Area of the
Buffer Zone(ha)

Map N°

001
002
003
004
Etc.
Total area (in hectares)

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Format for the nomination of properties for inscription on the World Heritage List

NOMINATION FORMAT
1.e

Maps and plans, showing theboundaries of the nominatedproperty and buffer zone

Annex 5EXPLANATORY NOTES
Annex to the nomination, and list below with scales and dates:(i) Original copies of topographic maps showing the property
nominated, at the largest scale available which shows the entire
property. The boundaries of the nominated property and buffer zone
should be clearly marked. The boundaries of zones of special legal
protection from which the property benefits should be recorded onmaps to be included under the protection and management section of
the nomination text. Multiple maps may be necessary for serial
nominations (see table in 1.d). The maps provided should be at thelargest available and practical scale to allow the identification of
topographic elements such as neighbouring settlements, buildings androutes in order to allow the clear assessment of the impact of any
proposed development within, adjacent to, or on the boundary line.
The choice of the adequate scale is essential to clearly show theboundaries of the proposed site and shall be in relation to the categoryof site that is proposed for inscription: cultural sites would requirecadastral maps, while natural sites or cultural landscapes would
require topographic maps (normally 1:25 000 to 1:50 000 scale).
Utmost care is needed with the width of boundary lines on maps, as
thick boundary lines may make the actual boundary of the property
ambiguous.
Maps may be obtained from the addresses shown at the following Web
address http://whc.unesco.org/en/mapagencies.
All maps should be capable of being geo-referenced, with a minimumof three points on opposite sides of the maps with complete sets ofcoordinates. The maps, untrimmed, should show scale, orientation,
projection, datum, property name and date. If possible, maps should besent rolled and not folded.
Geographic Information in digital form is encouraged if possible,
suitable for incorporation into a GIS (Geographic Information System),
however, this may not substitute the submission of printed maps. In thiscase the delineation of the boundaries (nominated property and bufferzone) should be presented in vector form, prepared at the largest scalepossible. The State Party is invited to contact the Secretariat for further
information concerning this option.
(ii) A Location Map showing the location of the property within theState Party,(iii) Plans and specially prepared maps of the property showing
individual features are helpful and may also be annexed.
To facilitate copying and presentation to the Advisory Bodies and theWorld Heritage Committee A4 (or “letter”) size reduction and a digital
image file of the principal maps should also be included in thenomination text if possible.
Where no buffer zone is proposed, the nomination must include astatement as to why a buffer zone is not required for the proper
protection of the nominated property.

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Format for the nomination of properties for inscription on the World Heritage List

NOMINATION FORMAT
1.f

Area of nominated property(ha.) and proposed buffer zone(ha.)
Area ofnominated property:________ ha

Buffer zone________ haTotal________ ha

2.

Description

2.a

Description of Property

EXPLANATORY NOTESIn the case of serial nominations (see Paragraphs 137-140 of the
Operational Guidelines), insert a table that shows the name of thecomponent part, region (if different for different components),
coordinates, area and buffer zone.
The serial nomination table should also be used to show the size of theseparate nominated areas and of the buffer zone(s).

This section should begin with a description of the nominated property
at the date of nomination. It should refer to all the significant featuresof the property.
In the case of a cultural property this section will include a descriptionof whatever elements make the property culturally significant. It could
include a description of any building or buildings and their architectural
style, date of construction, materials, etc. This section should also
describe important aspects of the setting such as gardens, parks etc. Fora rock art site, for example, the description should refer to the rock art
as well as the surrounding landscapes. In the case of an historic town or
district, it is not necessary to describe each individual building, but
important public buildings should be described individually and an
account should be given of the planning or layout of the area, its street
pattern and so on.
In the case of a natural property the account should deal with important
physical attributes, geology, habitats, species and population size, andother significant ecological features and processes. Species lists should
be provided where practicable, and the presence of threatened or
endemic taxa should be highlighted. The extent and methods of
exploitation of natural resources should be described.
In the case of cultural landscapes, it will be necessary to produce a
description under all the matters mentioned above. Special attention
should be paid to the interaction of people and nature.
The entire nominated property identified in section 1 (Identification of
the Property) should be described. In the case of serial nominations(see Paragraphs 137-140 of the Operational Guidelines), each of thecomponent parts should be separately described.

2.b

History and Development

Describe how the property has reached its present form and condition
and the significant changes that it has undergone, including recent
conservation history.
This should include some account of construction phases in the case ofmonuments, sites, buildings or groups of buildings. Where there havebeen major changes, demolitions or rebuilding since completion theyshould also be described.
In the case of a natural property, the account should cover significant
events in history or pre-history that have affected the evolution of theproperty and give an account of its interaction with humankind. This
will include changes in the use of the property and its natural resources
for hunting, fishing or agriculture, or changes brought about by
climatic change, floods, earthquake or other natural causes.
Such information will also be required in the case of culturallandscapes, where all aspects of the history of human activity in the

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NOMINATION FORMAT

Annex 5EXPLANATORY NOTES
area needs to be covered.

3.

Justification for Inscription25

The justification should be set out under the following sections.
This section must make clear why the property is considered to be of“Outstanding Universal Value”.
The whole of this section of the nomination should be written withcareful reference to the requirements of the Operational Guidelines. It
should not include detailed descriptive material about the property or
its management, which are addressed in other sections, but should
convey the key aspects that are relevant to the definition of the
Outstanding Universal Value of the property.

3.1.a Brief synthesis

The brief synthesis should comprise (i) a summary of factual
information and (ii) a summary of qualities. The summary of factual
information sets out the geographical and historical context and themain features. The summary of qualities should present to decisionmakers and the general public the potential Outstanding Universal
Value that needs to be sustained, and should also include a summaryof the attributes that convey its potential Outstanding Universal Value,
and need to be protected, managed and monitored. The summary
should relate to all stated criteria in order to justify the nomination.
The brief synthesis thus encapsulates the whole rationale for thenomination and proposed inscription.

3.1.b Criteria under which inscription
is proposed (and justification for
inscription under these criteria)

See Paragraph 77 of the Operational Guidelines.

3.1. c Statement of Integrity

The statement of integrity should demonstrate that the property fulfils
the conditions of integrity set out in Section II.D of the Operational
Guidelines, which describe these conditions in greater detail.

Provide a separate justification for each criterion cited.
State briefly how the property meets those criteria under which it has
been nominated (where necessary, make reference to the "description"and "comparative analysis" sections of the nomination, but do not
duplicate the text of these sections) and describe for each criterion therelevant attributes.

The Operational Guidelines set out the need to assess the extent towhich the property:• includes all elements necessary to express its Outstanding Universal
Value;• is of adequate size to ensure the complete representation of thefeatures and processes which convey the property’s significance;• suffers from adverse effects of development and/or neglect(Paragraph 88).
The Operational Guidelines provide specific guidance in relation to
the various World Heritage criteria, which is important to understand(Paragraphs 89–95).

3.1.d Statement of Authenticity (fornominations made undercriteria (i) to (vi)25

The statement of authenticity should demonstrate that the property
fulfils the conditions of authenticity set out in Section II.D of the
Operational Guidelines, which describe these conditions in greater
detail.

See also paragraphs 132 and 133.

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Format for the nomination of properties for inscription on the World Heritage List

NOMINATION FORMATEXPLANATORY NOTESThis section should summarise information that may be included in
more detail in section 4 of the nomination (and possibly in othersections), and should not reproduce the level of detail included inthose sections.
Authenticity only applies to cultural properties and to the cultural
aspects of ‘mixed’ properties.
The Operational Guidelines state that ‘properties may be understoodto meet the conditions of authenticity if their cultural values (asrecognized in the nomination criteria proposed) are truthfully andcredibly expressed through a variety of attributes’ (Paragraph 82).
The Operational Guidelines suggest that the following types of
attributes might be considered as conveying or expressing Outstanding
Universal Value:

3.1.e

Protection and management
requirements• form and design;• materials and substance;• use and function;• traditions, techniques and management systems;• location and setting;• language and other forms of intangible heritage;• spirit and feeling; and• other internal/external factors.
This section should set out how the requirements for protection andmanagement will be met, in order to ensure that the Outstanding
Universal Value of the property is maintained over time. It should
include both details of an overall framework for protection andmanagement, and the identification of specific long term expectations
for the protection of the property.
This section should summarise information that may be included in
more detail in section 5 of the nomination document (and also
potentially in sections 4 and 6), and should not reproduce the level ofdetail included in those sections.
The text in this section should first outline the framework for protection
and management. This should include the necessary protection
mechanisms, management systems and/or management plans (whether
currently in place or in need of establishment) that will protect andconserve the attributes that carry Outstanding Universal Value, andaddress the threats to and vulnerabilities of the property. These could
include the presence of strong and effective legal protection, a clearly
documented management system, including relationships with key
stakeholders or user groups, adequate staff and financial resources, key
requirements for presentation (where relevant), and effective andresponsive monitoring.
Secondly this section needs to acknowledge any long-term challenges
for the protection and management of the property and state how
addressing these will be a long-term strategy. It will be relevant torefer to the most significant threats to the property, and tovulnerabilities and negative changes in authenticity and/or integritythat have been highlighted, and to set out how protection andmanagement will address these vulnerabilities and threats and mitigate
any adverse changes.
As an official statement, recognised by the World Heritage
Committee, this section of the Statement of Outstanding Universal
Value should convey the most important commitments that the State
Party is making for the long-term protection and management of the

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property.

3.2

Comparative Analysis

The property should be compared to similar properties, whether on theWorld Heritage List or not. The comparison should outline thesimilarities the nominated property has with other properties and thereasons that make the nominated property stand out. The comparative
analysis should aim to explain the importance of the nominated property
both in its national and international context (see Paragraph 132).
The purpose of the comparative analysis is to show that there is room on
the List using existing thematic studies and, in the case of serial
properties, the justification for the selection of the component parts.

3.3

Proposed Statement of
Outstanding Universal Value

A Statement of Outstanding Universal Value is the official statement
adopted by the World Heritage Committee at the time of inscription of aproperty on the World Heritage List. When the World Heritage
Committee agrees to inscribe a property on the World Heritage List, italso agrees on a Statement of Outstanding Universal Value that
encapsulates why the property is considered to be of Outstanding
Universal Value, how it satisfies the relevant criteria, the conditions ofintegrity and (for cultural properties) authenticity, and how it meets therequirements for protection and management in order to sustain
Outstanding Universal Value in the long-term.
Statements of Outstanding Universal Value should be concise and are
set out in a standard format. They should help to raise awarenessregarding the value of the property, guide the assessment of its state ofconservation and inform protection and management. Once adopted by
the Committee, the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value isdisplayed at the property and on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre’s
website.
The main sections of a Statement of Outstanding Universal Value are
the following:
Brief synthesisb) Justification for Criteriac) Statement of Integrity (for all properties)d) Statement of authenticity for properties nominated under criteria(i) to (vi)e) Requirements for protection and managementa)4.

State of Conservation andfactors affecting the Property

4.aPresent state of conservation

The information presented in this section constitutes the base-line datanecessary to monitor the state of conservation of the nominated property
in the future. Information should be provided in this section on thephysical condition of the property, any threats to the Outstanding
Universal Value of the property and conservation measures at theproperty (see Paragraph 132).
For example, in a historic town or area, buildings, monuments or otherstructures needing major or minor repair works, should be indicated aswell as the scale and duration of any recent or forthcoming major repair
projects.
In the case of a natural property, data on species trends or the integrityof eco-systems should be provided. This is important because thenomination will be used in future years for purposes of comparison to
trace changes in the condition of the property.
For the indicators and statistical benchmarks used to monitor the state ofOperational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

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NOMINATION FORMATEXPLANATORY NOTES
conservation of the property see section 6 below.

4.b

Factors affecting the property

This section should provide information on all the factors which are
likely to affect or threaten the Outstanding Universal Value of aproperty. It should also describe any difficulties that may be
encountered in addressing such problems. Not all the factors suggested
in this section are appropriate for all properties. They are indicative andare intended to assist the State Party to identify the factors that are
relevant to each specific property.

(i)Development Pressures (e.g.,encroachment, adaptation,
agriculture, mining)

Itemize types of development pressures affecting the property, e.g.,pressure for demolition, rebuilding or new construction; the adaptationof existing buildings for new uses which would harm their authenticity
or integrity; habitat modification or destruction following encroaching
agriculture, forestry or grazing, or through poorly managed tourism orother uses; inappropriate or unsustainable natural resource exploitation;
damage caused by mining; the introduction of exotic species likely to
disrupt natural ecological processes, creating new centres of population
on or near properties so as to harm them or their settings.

(ii)

Environmental pressures (e.g.,
pollution, climate change,
desertification)

List and summarize major sources of environmental deterioration
affecting building fabric, flora and fauna.

(iii)

Natural disasters and risk
preparedness (earthquakes,
floods, fires, etc.)

Itemize those disasters which present a foreseeable threat to the property
and what steps have been taken to draw up contingency plans for
dealing with them, whether by physical protection measures or staff
training.

(iv)

Responsible visitation at World
Heritage sites

Provide the status of visitation to the property (notably available
baseline data; patterns of use, including concentrations of activity inparts of the property; and activities planned in the future).
Describe projected levels of visitation due to inscription or other factors.
Define the carrying-capacity of the property and how its management
could be enhanced to meet the current or expected visitor numbers andrelated development pressure without adverse effects.
Consider possible forms of deterioration of the property due to visitor
pressure and behaviour including those affecting its intangible attributes.

(v)

Number of inhabitants within
the property and the buffer
zone

Give the best available statistics or estimate of the number of inhabitants
living within the nominated property and any buffer zone. Indicate theyear this estimate or count was made.

Estimated population located within:
Areaof
nominated______________

property

Buffer zone _________________
Total_______________________________
Year ______________________
5.

92

Protection and Management of
the Property

This section of the nomination is intended to provide a clear picture of
the legislative, regulatory, contractual, planning, institutional and/ or
traditional measures (see Paragraph 132 of the Operational Guidelines)

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Format for the nomination of properties for inscription on the World Heritage List

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Annex 5EXPLANATORY NOTES
and the management plan or other management system (Paragraphs 108
to 118 of the Operational Guidelines) that is in place to protect andmanage the property as required by the World Heritage Convention. Itshould deal with policy aspects, legal status and protective measures andwith the practicalities of day-to-day administration and management.

5.aOwnership

Indicate the major categories of land ownership (including State,
Provincial, private, community, traditional, customary and nongovernmental ownership, etc.).

5.bProtective designation

List the relevant legal, regulatory, contractual, planning, institutional
and/ or traditional status of the property: For example, national orprovincial park; historic monument, protected area under national law orcustom; or other designation.
Provide the year of designation and the legislative act(s) under which
the status is provided.
If the document cannot be provided in English or French, an English or
French executive summary should be provided highlighting the key
provisions.

5.cMeans of implementing
protective measures.

Describe how the protection afforded by its legal, regulatory,
contractual, planning, institutional and/ or traditional status indicated in
section 5.b. actually works.

5.dExisting plans related tomunicipality and region inwhich the proposed property is
located (e.g., regional or local
plan, conservation plan,
tourism development plan)

List the agreed plans which have been adopted with the date and agency
responsible for preparation. The relevant provisions should besummarized in this section. A copy of the plan should be included as an
attached document as indicated in section 7.b.

Property management plan orother management system

As noted in Paragraphs 132 of the Operational Guidelines, anappropriate management plan or other management system is essential
and shall be provided in the nomination. Assurances of the effective
implementation of the management plan or other management system
are also expected. Sustainable development principles should be
integrated into the management system.

5.e

If the plans exist only in a language other than English or French, anEnglish or French executive summary should be provided highlighting
the key provisions.

A copy of the management plan or documentation of the management
system shall be annexed to the nomination, in English or French as
indicated in section 7.b.
If the management plan exists only in a language other than English or
French, an English or French detailed description of its provisions shallbe annexed. Give the title, date and author of management plansannexed to this nomination.
A detailed analysis or explanation of the management plan or adocumented management system shall be provided.
A timetable for the implementation of the management plan isrecommended.

5.f

Sources and levels of financeShow the sources and level of funding which are available to theproperty on an annual basis. An estimate could also be given of theadequacy or otherwise of resources available, in particular identifying
any gaps or deficiencies or any areas where assistance may be required.

5.g

Sources of expertise andtraining in conservation andIndicate the expertise and training which are available from national
authorities or other organizations to the property.

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NOMINATION FORMATEXPLANATORY NOTES

management techniques
5.hVisitor facilities andinfrastructure

The section should describe the inclusive facilities available on site forvisitors and demonstrate that they are appropriate in relation to theprotection and management requirements of the property. It should set
out how the facilities and services will provide effective and inclusive
presentation of the property to meet the needs of visitors, including in
relation to the provision of safe and appropriate access to the property.
The section should consider visitor facilities that may include
interpretation/explanation (signage, trails, notices or publications,guides); museum/exhibition devoted to the property, visitor orinterpretation centre; and/or potential use of digital technologies andservices (overnight accommodation; restaurant; car parking; lavatories;
search and rescue; etc.)

5.i

Policies and programmes
related to the presentation andpromotion of the property

This section refers to Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention regarding thepresentation and transmission to future generations of the cultural andnatural heritage. States Parties are encouraged to provide information on
the policies and programmes for the presentation and promotion of thenominated property.

5.j

Staffing levels and expertise(professional, technical,
maintenance)

Indicate the skills and qualifications available needed for the goodmanagement of the property, including in relation to visitation andfuture training needs.

6.

Monitoring

This section of the nomination is intended to provide the evidence forthe state of conservation of the property which can be reviewed andreported on regularly so as to give an indication of trends over time.

6.a

Key indicators for measuring
state of conservation

List in table form those key indicators that have been chosen as themeasure of the state of conservation of the whole property (see section
4.a above). Indicate the periodicity of the review of these indicators andthe location where the records are kept. They could be representative ofan important aspect of the property and relate as closely as possible to
the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (see section 2.b above).
Where possible they could be expressed numerically and where this is
not possible they could be of a kind which can be repeated, for example
by taking a photograph from the same point. Examples of good
indicators are the:Indicator

94(i)number of species, or population of a keystone species on anatural property;(ii)

percentage of buildings requiring major repair in a historic town
or district;(iii)

number of years estimated to elapse before a major
conservation programme is likely to be completed;(iv)

stability or degree of movement in a particular building orelement of a building;(v)

rate at which encroachment of any kind on a property has
increased or diminished.

Periodicity

Location of Records

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Annex 5EXPLANATORY NOTES

6.bAdministrative arrangements
for monitoring property

Give the name and contact information of the agency(ies)
responsible for the monitoring referenced in 6.a.

6.cResults of previous reporting
exercises

List, with a brief summary, earlier reports on the state ofconservation of the property and provide extracts and references
to published sources (for example, reports submitted incompliance with international agreements and programmes, e.g.,Ramsar, MAB).

7.

Documentation

This section of the nomination is the check-list of the
documentation which shall be provided to make up a complete
nomination.

7.aPhotographs and audiovisual
image inventory andauthorization form

States Parties shall provide a sufficient number of recent images(prints, slides and, where possible, electronic formats, videos
and aerial photographs) to give a good general picture of theproperty.
Slides shall be in 35mm format and electronic images in jpg
format at a minimum of 300 dpi (dots per inch) resolution. If
film material is provided, Beta SP format is recommended for
quality assurances.
This material shall be accompanied by the image inventory andphotograph and audiovisual authorization form as set out below.
At least one photograph that may be used on the public web
page illustrating the property shall be included.
States Parties are encouraged to grant to UNESCO, in written
form and free of charge, the non exclusive cession of rights todiffuse, to communicate to the public, to publish, to reproduce,
to exploit, in any form and on any support, including digital, allor part of the images provided and license these rights to third
parties.
The non exclusive cession of rights does not impinge upon
intellectual property rights (rights of the photographer / directorof the video or copyright owner if different) and that when theimages are distributed by UNESCO a credit to the photographer/ director of the video is always given, if clearly provided in theform.
All possible profits deriving from such cession of rights will goto the World Heritage Fund.

PHOTOGRAPHS AND AUDIOVISUAL IMAGE INVENTORY
AND AUTHORIZATION FORM
Id.
No

Format(slide/print/
video)

CaptionDate ofPhoto(mo/yr)Photographer/Directorof the video

Copyright owner (ifdifferent thanphotographer/directorof video)

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Contact detailsof copyrightowner (Name,address, tel/fax,
and e-mail)Nonexclusive
cession ofrights95

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NOMINATION FORMATEXPLANATORY NOTES

7.b

Texts relating to protective
designation, copies of property
management plans or
documented management
systems and extracts of otherplans relevant to the property

Attach the texts as indicated in sections 5.b, 5.d and 5.e above.

7.cForm and date of most recent
records or inventory ofproperty

Provide a straightforward statement giving the form and date of
the most recent records or inventory of the property. Only
records that are still available should be described.

7.dAddress where inventory,
records and archives are held

Give the name and address of the agencies holding inventory
records (buildings, monuments, flora or fauna species).

7.eBibliography

List the principal published references, using standard
bibliographic format.

8.

Contact Information of
responsible authorities

This section of the nomination will allow the Secretariat toprovide the property with current information about World
Heritage news and other issues.

8.aPreparer

Provide the name, address and other contact information of theindividual responsible for preparing the nomination. If an e-mailaddress cannot be provided, the information must include a fax
number.

8.b

Name:
Title:
Address:
City, Province/State, Country:
Tel:
Fax:
E-mail:Official Local
Institution/Agency

Provide the name of the agency, museum, institution,community or manager locally responsible for the managementof the property. If the normal reporting institution is a national
agency, please provide that contact information.

8.cOther Local Institutions

List the full name, address, telephone, fax and e-mail addressesof all museums, visitor centres and official tourism offices whoshould receive the free World Heritage Newsletter about eventsand issues related to World Heritage.

8.d

Official Web address

Please provide any existing official web addresses of thenominated property. Indicate if such web addresses are planned
for the future with the contact name and e-mail address.

http://
Contact name:E-mail:9.

96

Signature on behalf of the StateParty

The nomination should conclude with the signature of theofficial empowered to sign it on behalf of the State Party.

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NIO MUN
MO
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I
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WORLD HNEM•

ONDIAL •

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PA
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Evaluation procedures of the Advisory Bodies for nominations

TA
GE •
OI
PATRIM

United Nations
Cultural Organization

World
Heritage
Convention

Annex 6EVALUATION PROCEDURES
OF THE ADVISORY BODIESFOR NOMINATIONSThis Annex includes:
A.

THE ICOMOS PROCEDURE FOR THE EVALUATION OF CULTURAL PROPERTIES

B.

THE IUCN PROCEDURE FOR THE EVALUATION OF NATURAL PROPERTIESC.

ADVISORY BODY COLLABORATION - PROCEDURE FOR THE EVALUATION OF
CULTURAL AND NATURAL PROPERTIES AND OF CULTURAL LANDSCAPES
For further information please also refer to Paragraphs 143-151 of the Operational Guidelines.

A.

THE ICOMOS PROCEDURE FOR THE EVALUATION OF CULTURAL PROPERTIESIn carrying out its evaluation of nominations of cultural properties ICOMOS (the International Councilof Monuments and Sites) is guided by the Operational Guidelines; (see Paragraph 148).
Once new nominations have been checked for completeness by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre,
the nomination dossiers that are deemed as complete are delivered to ICOMOS, where they arehandled by the ICOMOS World Heritage Unit. From this point, dialogue and consultation with thenominating States Parties may begin and will continue throughout the evaluation process. ICOMOS
will use its best endeavours to allocate its available resources equitably, efficiently and effectively tomaximise the opportunity for dialogue with all nominating States Parties.
The ICOMOS evaluation process involves the following stages as illustrated in figure 1:

1.

Requests for further information
When it has identified that further information or clarification of existing information is needed,
ICOMOS starts a dialogue with States Parties in order to explore ways to meet the needs. This may
involve letters, face-to face meetings, teleconferences or other forms of communication as agreed
between ICOMOS and the State Party concerned.

2.

Desk Reviews
Each nomination is assessed by up to ten experts who are knowledgeable about the property in its geocultural context and who advise on the proposed “Outstanding Universal Value” of the nominatedproperty. This is essentially a “library” exercise undertaken by specialist academics within themembership of ICOMOS, its National and International Committees, or by individuals within manyother specialist networks or institutions with which it is linked.

3.

On site missions
These are carried out by experts who have practical experience of the management, conservation, andauthenticity aspects of individual properties. The process of selecting these experts makes full use of
the ICOMOS network. The advice of International Scientific Committees and individual members issought, as is that of specialist bodies with whom ICOMOS has partnership agreements, such as The
International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage (TICCIH), the International
Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA), and the International Committee for the Documentation
and Conservation of Monuments and Sites of the Modern Movement (DoCoMoMo).

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97Annex 6

Evaluation procedures of the Advisory Bodies for nominations

In selecting experts to carry out on-site missions, the policy of ICOMOS is wherever possible tochoose someone from the region in which the nominated property is located. Such experts are required
to be experienced in heritage management and conservation of the type of property concerned: they are
not necessarily high academic experts. They are expected to be able to talk to site managers on a basisof professional equality and to make informed assessments of management plans, conservation
practices, visitor handling, etc. They are provided with detailed briefings, which include copies of therelevant information from the dossiers. The dates and programmes of their visits are agreed inconsultation with States Parties, who are requested to ensure that ICOMOS evaluation missions are
given a low profile so far as the media are concerned. ICOMOS experts submit their reports in
confidence on practical aspects of the properties concerned, and may also comment in their reports onother aspects of the nomination.
3.bis Other sources of information
Other relevant institutions, such as UNESCO Chairs, universities and research institutes may also be
consulted during the evaluation process, and listed, as appropriate, in the evaluation report.
4.

Review by the ICOMOS Panel
The ICOMOS World Heritage Panel comprises individual ICOMOS members who collectively
represent all regions of the world and possess a wide range of relevant cultural heritage skills andexperience. Some of these members serve on the Panel for a fixed term while others are appointed for
one year only according to the characteristics of the nominated properties to be examined. ICOMOS
will include within its Panel membership some experts who have past experience as members of State
Parties delegations, but who are no longer serving as members of the World Heritage Committee.
These experts will serve in a personal and professional capacity.
The Panel meets twice, first in December and then in March. At the first meeting, the Panel evaluates
each nomination, based on the reports of Desk experts and of the site missions.
The Panel aims to reach its recommendations on nominations by consensus.
The first Panel may come to final collective recommendations on some nominations while for others
further dialogue with States Parties may be agreed related to the need for more information or the needfor adjustments to the approach of the nomination. In cases where the Panel has concluded that thenomination has no potential to justify Outstanding Universal Value, ICOMOS will contact States
Parties at this stage. A short interim report for each nomination, in one of the two working languagesof the Convention, outlining the status and any issues relevant to the evaluation process, and any
further requests for supplementary information, will be provided in January to the nominating States
Parties and copied to the World Heritage Centre for distribution to the Chair of the World Heritage
Committee.
The second Panel undertakes further evaluation of nominations for which a recommendation has not
yet been reached based on the receipt of further information or the outcome of dialogue with States
Parties. The Panel then agrees the remaining collective recommendations. Following the second Panelmeeting, the text of all evaluations is finalised and sent to the World Heritage Centre for distribution toStates Parties. The names and qualifications of the members of the Panel are then provided to theWorld Heritage Centre and published on the ICOMOS web site.
The ICOMOS evaluations provide an assessment of Outstanding Universal Value, including theapplicability of the criteria and the requirements of integrity and authenticity, assessment of theadequacy of legislative protection, management, and the state of conservation, and finally draft
recommendations to the World Heritage Committee with respect to inscription.

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Evaluation procedures of the Advisory Bodies for nominations

Annex 6ICOMOS REPORT TO WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEEICOMOS World Heritage Second Panel

Additional information provided by States PartiesICOMOS World Heritage Panel

ICOMOS Experts

ICOMOS World Heritage Unit

Culturalevaluations

ICOMOS International
Scientific Committees

Additional information provided
by States Parties

Associated Scientific
Institutions

ICOMOS National
Committees

On-site mission
experts

Individual experts

ICOMOS World Heritage Unit

UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Nomination dossiersOperational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention99Annex 6

Evaluation procedures of the Advisory Bodies for nominations

B.

THE IUCN PROCEDURE FOR THE EVALUATION OF NATURAL PROPERTIES1.

In carrying out its evaluation of nominations of natural properties, IUCN (the International Union forConservation of Nature) is guided by the Operational Guidelines (see Paragraph 148). The evaluation
process (see Figure 2) involves five elements:(i)

Data Assembly. Following receipt of the nomination dossier from the World Heritage Centre, astandardised analysis is compiled on the property using the World Database on Protected Areasand other IUCN global databases and thematic studies. This may include comparative analyses
on biodiversity values undertaken in partnership with the UNEP World Conservation
Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). Key findings of data analysis are the subject of dialogue
with the State Party during the evaluation mission, and at other stages of the process.

(ii)

External Review. The nomination is sent for desk review to independent experts
knowledgeable about the property and/or the values that are the subject of the nomination, who
are primarily members of IUCN's specialist Commissions and networks, or expert members ofpartner organisations of IUCN. The documents used to guide IUCN desk reviews are publicly
available on the IUCN website: www.iucn.org/worldheritage.

(iii)

Evaluation mission to the property. One or two appropriately qualified IUCN experts visit eachnominated property to clarify details about the area, to evaluate site management and to discuss
the nomination with relevant authorities and stakeholders. IUCN experts, selected for theirglobal perspective on conservation and natural history as well as their knowledge of theConvention, are usually experienced members of the IUCN World Commission on Protected
Areas. (This field inspection is undertaken jointly with ICOMOS in certain situations - see Part
C below). The format of IUCN field evalution mission reports is publicly available on the
IUCN website: www.iucn.org/worldheritage.

(iv)

Other sources of information. IUCN also consults additional literature and may receive
comments from local NGOs, communities, indigenous peoples and other interested parties in
the nomination. Where relevant IUCN will also coordinate with other international
conservation instruments such as the Ramsar Convention, the Man and Biosphere Programme
and the Global Geoparks Network, and will consult with universities and research institutes asappropriate.

(v)

IUCN World Heritage Panel Review. The IUCN World Heritage Panel is established by the
Director General of IUCN to provide high quality and independent technical and scientificadvice to IUCN on its work as an Advisory Body to the World Heritage Committee andstrategic advice to IUCN’s work on World Heritage throughout the IUCN Programme.
Specific Tasks of the World Heritage Panel are to conduct a rigorous evaluation of all
nominations of natural and mixed properties to the World Heritage List, leading to a panel
recommendation on the IUCN position in relation to each new nomination, in line with therequirements established in the Operational Guidelines of the World Heritage Convention. The
Panel also provides comment where relevant to ICOMOS in relation to nominations of culturallandscapes to the World Heritage List. The Panel normally meets at least twice in theevaluation process, once in December (year 1) and a second meeting in March/April (year 2);
The members of the Panel comprise senior IUCN staff, IUCN Commission members andexternal experts selected for their high level of experience and recognised leading expertise andknowledge relevant to IUCN’s work on World Heritage, including a balance of particularthematic and/or regional perspectives. It includes some experts who have past experience asmembers of State Party delegations, but are not current serving members of the World Heritage
Committee. These experts will serve in a personal and professional capacity. The IUCN World
Heritage Panel reviews all field evaluation reports (and normally hears direct feedback fromthe mission team), reviewers' comments, the UNEP-WCMC and other analyses and all otherbackground material before finalising the text of the IUCN evaluation report for each100

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Annex 6

nominated property. The membership, terms of reference and working methods of the IUCNWorld Heritage Panel are publicly available on the IUCN website, and are provided to theWorld Heritage Committee.
Each evaluation report presents a concise summary of the proposed Outstanding Universal
Value of the property nominated, a global comparative analysis with other similar sites(including both World Heritage properties and other protected areas) and a review ofintegrity and management issues. It concludes with the assessment of the applicability of thecriteria, and a clear recommendation to the World Heritage Committee. The names of all
experts involved in the evaluation process are included in the final evaluation report, except in
the case of reviewers who have provided confidential reviews.
IUCN undertakes dialogue with the nominating States Party/ies at all stages of thenomination process. IUCN will use its best endeavours to allocate its available resources
equitably, efficiently and effectively, to maximise the opportunities for dialogue with all
nominating States Parties. Dialogue starts early in the evaluation process and intensifies
after the meeting of the IUCN World Heritage Panel in December, and includes thefollowing:i)

Prior to the evaluation mission, IUCN may request additional information onquestions in the nomination document that require clarification, and will always
contact the State Party to prepare for the evaluation mission.

ii)

During the evaluation mission the IUCN mission team is able to undertake in-depth
discussions on site with representatives of the State Party and with stakeholders.

iii)

After the evaluation mission, IUCN may discuss issues that have been identified by
the mission team, and request further information from the State Party as required.

iv)

After IUCN’s first World Heritage Panel meeting, normally held in December, IUCN
will discuss issues raised by the Panel, and request further information from the State
Party as required. A short interim report outlining the status, and any issues relevantto the evaluation, and detailing any requests for supplementary information, in one of
the two working languages of the Convention, is sent to the nominating State Party/ies,
a n d copied t o t h e World Heritage Centre, for transmission to the Chairperson of theWorld Heritage Committee. Dialogue and consultation takes place either throughteleconference and/or face-to-face meetings, as mutually agreed.

IUCN takes into account in its evaluation all information that is officially submitted by the State
Party in writing to the World Heritage Centre by the specified deadline (see paragraph 148 of the
Operational Guidelines). However, at all of the above stages any stakeholder in the nomination is
also at liberty to contact IUCN to provide information if they wish.
IUCN also always considers fully all past decisions of the World Heritage Committee relevant to
the nomination, such as in cases of nominations that have been previously referred or deferred by
the Committee, or where the Committee has taken any position in relation to issues of policy.
In the case of renominations, extensions and boundary modifications to an existing World
Heritage property, IUCN also considers all matters regarding the state of conservation of thatproperty that have been previously reported to the World Heritage Committee. IUCN may also
consider bringing to the attention of the Committee, through the state of conservation reporting
process, any significant matters regarding the state of conservation of that property, when suchare identified for the first time during the evaluation process.
Biogeographic classification systems as a basis for comparison
2.

In the evaluations, IUCN uses biogeographic classification systems such as Udvardy’s“Biogeographical Provinces of the World” (1975) and the more recent terrestrial, freshwater andOperational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

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Evaluation procedures of the Advisory Bodies for nominations

marine ecoregions of the world as a central element of its approach to the global comparative analysis.
These systems provide an objective means of comparing nominated properties with sites of similar
climatic and ecological conditions.
3.

It is stressed, however, that these biogeographical classification systems are used as a measure forcomparison only and do not imply that World Heritage properties are to be selected solely on this basis,
nor that the representation of all such classification systems is the basis for the selection process. The
guiding principle is that World Heritage properties must be of Outstanding Universal Value.

Systems to identify priority areas for conservation
4.

IUCN also uses systems which identify priority areas for conservation such as the World Wide Fundfor Nature's (WWF) Global 200 Ecoregions, WWF/IUCN's Centres of Plant Diversity, Conservation
International's Biodiversity Hotspots and High-Biodiversity Wilderness Areas, Birdlife International's
Endemic Bird Areas and Important Bird Areas, and other Key Biodiversity Areas such as Alliance for
Zero Extinction sites. These systems provide additional information on the significance of thenominated properties for biodiversity conservation; however it is not assumed that all such sites should
be included on the World Heritage List. The guiding principle is that World Heritage properties must
be of Outstanding Universal Value.

Systems to evaluate properties for earth science value
5.

In evaluating properties which have been nominated for their geological value, IUCN consults with arange of specialised organisations such as the UNESCO Earth Sciences Division, International
Association of Geomorphologists, the International Union of Speleology and the International Unionof Geological Sciences (IUGS).

Additional reference publications used in the evaluation process
6.

The evaluation process also includes consideration of key reference publications on the world's
protected areas published by IUCN and a range of international conservation organisations. These
documents together provide system-wide overviews which allow comparison of the conservation
importance of protected areas throughout the world. IUCN has also undertaken a range of thematicstudies to identify gaps in natural World Heritage coverage and properties of World Heritage potential.
These can be viewed on the IUCN website at www.iucn.org/worldheritage.
IUCN also draws upon references specific to the nominated properties in order to gain insights into sitevalues and conservation issues.

Evaluation of Cultural Landscapes (see also Annex 3)
7.

IUCN has an interest in many cultural properties, especially those nominated as cultural landscapes.
For that reason, it will on occasion participate in joint field inspections to nominated culturallandscapes with ICOMOS (see Part C below).

8.

In accordance with the natural qualities of certain cultural landscapes identified in Annex 3,
Paragraph 11, IUCN's evaluation is concerned with the following factors:
(i)
(ii)

Conservation of natural and semi-natural systems, and of wild species of fauna and flora
Conservation of biodiversity within sustainable use systems (farming, traditional fisheries,
forestry);(iii) Sustainable land and water use;(iv) Enhancement of scenic beauty;(v) Ex-situ collections, such as botanic gardens or arboreta;(vi) Outstanding examples of humanity's inter-relationship with nature;(vii) Historically significant discoveries

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Evaluation procedures of the Advisory Bodies for nominations

Annex 6

The following table sets each of the above list in the context of the categories of cultural landscapes inAnnex 3, thereby indicating where each consideration is most likely to occur (the absence of aconsideration does not mean that it will never occur, only that this is unlikely):
Cultural Landscape type

Natural considerations most likely to be relevant (see Paragraph
16 above)(see also Annex 3)
Designed landscape(v)

Organically evolving
landscape - continuous(i)Organically evolving
landscape - fossil

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

Associative landscapeOperational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

(vi)
(vii)

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Evaluation procedures of the Advisory Bodies for nominations

FIGURE 2: SUMMARY OF IUCN EVALUATION PROCEDURE

IUCN REPORT TO WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE

IUCN Second World Heritage Panel

Additional information may be provided by States Parties and by stakeholders

IUCN World Heritage Panel

IUCN World Heritage Programme

Desk Reviews and Comparative
Analyses

IUCN Commissions
and Members

Additional information may be provided
by States Parties and by stakeholders

Associated ScientificPartners

IUCN Regional Offices
and Programmes

Field Evaluation, including extensive
consultations with stakeholders

Consultation with ICOMOS
and WHC as required

IUCN World Heritage Programme

UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Nomination dossiers

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Evaluation procedures of the Advisory Bodies for nominations

C.

Annex 6ADVISORY BODY COLLABORATION

Nominations of mixed properties
1.

Properties that are nominated under both natural and cultural criteria entail a joint IUCN andICOMOS mission to the nominated property. Following the mission, IUCN and ICOMOS prepare
separate evaluation reports of the property under the relevant criteria (see above), and harmonise andcoordinate their evaluations to the extent possible.

Cultural Landscapes2.

Properties nominated as Cultural Landscapes are evaluated by ICOMOS under criteria (i) - (vi) (seeParagraph 77 of the Operational Guidelines). IUCN may provide advice when relevant on the naturalvalues and the conservation and management of the nominated property, and addresses any questions
that are raised by ICOMOS. In some cases, a joint mission is required.

Linkages between nature and culture3.

As most properties nominated to the World Heritage List include aspects of management related tothe interaction of nature and culture, IUCN and ICOMOS, to the extent possible, discuss any suchinteractions during their evaluation processes.

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World
Heritage
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FORMAT FOR THE PERIODIC REPORTING
ON THE APPLICATION OF
THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTIONThe Format for Periodic Reporting is available at the following Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/periodicreportingFurther guidance on Periodic Reporting can be found in Section V of the Operational GuidelinesIn order to facilitate management of information, States Parties are requested to submit reports, inEnglish or French, in electronic as well as in printed form to :UNESCO World Heritage Centre
7, place de Fontenoy
75352 Paris 07 SP
FranceTelephone: +33 (0) 1 4568 1571
Fax: +33 (0) 1 4568 5570
E-mail through: http://whc.unesco.org/en/contacts

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FORMATPERIODIC REPORTING ON THE APPLICATION OF
THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION

General Requirements


Information should be as precise and specific as possible. It should be quantified where possible andfully referenced.



Information should be concise. In particular long historical accounts of sites and events which havetaken place there should be avoided, especially when they can be found in readily available publishedsources.



Expressions of opinion should be supported by reference to the authority on which they are made andthe verifiable facts which support them.



Periodic reports should be completed on A4 paper (210mm x 297mm), with maps and plans amaximum of A3 paper (297mm x 420mm). States Parties are also encouraged to submit the full text ofthe periodic reports in electronic form.

SECTION I:
APPLICATION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION BY THE STATE PARTY
States Parties are requested to give information on the legislative and administrative provisions which they
have adopted and other action which they have taken for the application of this Convention, together withdetails of the experience acquired in this field (Article 29.1 of the World Heritage Convention).
I.1

Introduction
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)

I.2

State Party
Year of ratification or acceptance of the Convention
Organization(s) or entity(ies) responsible for the preparation of the report
Date of the report
Signature on behalf of the State Party

Identification of cultural and natural heritage properties
This item refers in particular to Articles 3, 4 and 11 of the Convention regarding the identification ofcultural and natural heritage and the nomination of properties for inscription on the World Heritage
List.
(i)

National inventories

Inventories of cultural and natural heritage of national significance form the basis for the identificationof possible World Heritage properties.
Indicate which institutions are in charge of the preparation and keeping up-to-date of these national
inventories and if, and to what extent, inventories, lists and/or registers at the local, state and/or
national level exist and have been completed.
(ii)

Tentative List

Article 11 of the Convention refers to the submission by States Parties of inventories of property
suitable for inscription on the World Heritage List. These tentative lists of cultural and natural

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Format for the periodic reporting on the application of the World Heritage Convention

properties should be prepared with reference to Paragraphs 62-69 and Annex 2 of the Operational
Guidelines. States Parties should report on actions taken to implement the decision of the Committee
at its twenty-fourth session (Cairns, December 2000) and the twelfth General Assembly of States
Parties (UNESCO Headquarters, 1999) whereby tentative lists are to be used as a planning tool toreduce the imbalances in the World Heritage List.
Provide the date of submission of the Tentative List or any revision made since its submission. States
Parties are also encouraged to provide a description of the process of preparation and revision of theTentative List, e.g. has (have) any particular institution(s) been assigned the responsibility for
identifying and delineating World Heritage properties, have local authorities and local population
been involved in its preparation? If so, provide exact details.
(iii) Nominations
The periodic report should list properties that have been nominated for inscription on the World
Heritage List. States Parties are encouraged to provide an analysis of the process by which thesenominations are prepared, the collaboration and co-operation with local authorities and people, themotivation, obstacles and difficulties encountered in that process and perceived benefits and lessons
learnt.
I.3

Protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage
This item refers in particular to Articles 4 and 5 of the Convention, in which States Parties recognise
their duty of ensuring the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and transmission to
future generations of the cultural and natural World Heritage and that effective and active measures
are taken to this effect. Additional guidance on States Parties obligations can be found in Paragraphs
10-16 of the Operational Guidelines.
Article 5 of the Convention specifies the following measures:(i)General policy development

Provide information on the adoption of policies that aim to give the cultural and natural heritage afunction in the life of the community. Provide information on the way the State Party or the relevant
authorities has (have) taken steps to integrate the protection of World Heritage properties into
comprehensive planning programmes. Areas where improvement would be desirable, and towards
which the State Party is working should be indicated.
(ii)

Status of services for protection, conservation and presentation

Provide information on any services within the territories of the State Party which have been set up or
have been substantially improved since the previous periodic report, if applicable. Particular attention
should be given to services aiming at the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural andnatural heritage, indicating the appropriate staff and the means to discharge their functions. Areas
where improvement would be desirable, and towards which the State Party is working should beindicated.
(iii) Scientific and technical studies and research
Additional guidance on research can be found in Paragraph 215 of the Operational Guidelines.
List significant scientific and technical studies or research projects of a generic nature that would
benefit World Heritage properties, initiated or completed since the last periodic report. Areas where
improvement would be desirable, and towards which the State Party is working should be indicated.
Site specific scientific studies or research projects should be reported upon under Section II.4 of thisFormat.

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Format for the periodic reporting on the application of the World Heritage Convention(iv)

Annex 7

Measures for identification, protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation

Indicate appropriate legal and administrative measures that the State Party or relevant authorities havetaken for the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of cultural andnatural heritage. Particular attention should be given to measures concerning visitor management anddevelopment in the region. The State Party is also encouraged to indicate if, on the basis of theexperiences gained, policy and/or legal reform is considered necessary. It is also relevant to note
which other international conventions for the protection of cultural or natural heritage have beensigned or ratified by the State Party and if so, how the application of these different legal instruments
is co-ordinated and integrated in national policies and planning.
Indicate relevant scientific, and technical measures that the State Party or relevant institutions within
the State have taken for the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation ofcultural and natural heritage.
Indicate relevant financial measures that the State Party or relevant authorities have taken for theidentification, protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of cultural and natural heritage.
Information on the presentation of the heritage can refer to publications, internet web-pages, films,
stamps, postcards, books etc.
Areas where improvement would be desirable, and towards which the State Party is working should
be indicated.
(v)

Training

Additional guidance on training can be found in Paragraphs 213-214 of the Operational Guidelines.
Provide information on the training and educational strategies that have been implemented within theState Party for professional capacity building, as well as on the establishment or development of
national or regional centres for training and education in the protection, conservation, and presentationof the cultural and natural heritage, and the degree to which such training has been integrated within
existing university and educational systems.
Indicate the steps that the State Party has taken to encourage scientific research as a support to training
and educational activities.
Areas where improvement would be desirable, and towards which the State Party is working should
be indicated.
I.4

International co-operation and fund raisingThis item refers particularly to Articles 4, 6, 17 and 18 of the Convention. Additional guidance on thisissue can be found in Paragraphs 227-231 of the Operational Guidelines.
Provide information on the co-operation with other States Parties for the identification, protection,conservation and preservation of the World Heritage located on their territories.
Also indicate which measures have been taken to avoid damage directly or indirectly to the World
Heritage on the territory of other States Parties.
Have national, public and private foundations or associations been established for, and has the State
Party given assistance to, raising funds and donations for the protection of the World Heritage?

I.5

Education, information and awareness buildingThis item refers particularly to Articles 27 and 28 of the Convention on educational programmes.
Additional guidance on these matters can be found in Chapter IX of the Operational Guidelines.

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Format for the periodic reporting on the application of the World Heritage Convention

Indicate steps that the State Party has taken to raise the awareness of decision-makers, property owners,
and the general public about the protection and conservation of cultural and natural heritage.
Provide information on education (primary, secondary and tertiary) and information programmes thathave been undertaken or are planned to strengthen appreciation and respect by the population, to keep
the public broadly informed of the dangers threatening the heritage and of activities carried out inpursuance of the Convention. Does the State Party participate in the UNESCO Special Project Young
People’s Participation in World Heritage Preservation and Promotion?
Information on site-specific activities and programmes should be provided under item II.4 concerning
management, below.
I.6

Conclusions and recommended action
The main conclusions under each of the items of Section I of the report should be summarized andtabulated together with the proposed action(s) to be taken, the agency(ies) responsible for taking theaction(s) and the timeframe for its execution:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)

Main conclusions
Proposed future action(s)Responsible implementing agency(ies)
Timeframe for implementation
Needs for international assistanceStates Parties are also encouraged to provide in their first periodic report an analysis of the process bywhich they ratified the Convention, the motivation, obstacles and difficulties encountered in thatprocess and perceived benefits and lessons learnt.
SECTION II:
STATE OF CONSERVATION OF SPECIFIC WORLD HERITAGE PROPERTIESThe preparation of periodic state of conservation reports should involve those who are responsible forthe day-to-day management of the property. For transboundary properties it is recommended thatreports be prepared jointly by or in close collaboration between the agencies concerned.
The first periodic report should update the information provided in the original nomination dossier.
Subsequent reports will then focus on any changes that may have occurred since the previous report
was submitted.
This section of the periodic report follows, therefore, the format for the nomination dossier.
The state of properties included on the List of World Heritage in Danger are reviewed by the World
Heritage Committee at regular intervals, in general once every year. This review concentrates on thespecific factors and considerations that led to the inscription of the property on the List of World
Heritage in Danger. It will still be necessary to prepare a complete periodic report on the state ofconservation of these properties.
This section should be completed for each individual World Heritage property.
II.1

Introduction
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)

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State Party
Name of the World Heritage property
Geographical coordinates to the nearest second
Date of inscription on the World Heritage List
Organization(s) or entity(ies) responsible for the preparation of the report
Date of the report

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Format for the periodic reporting on the application of the World Heritage Convention

II.2

Annex 7vii) Signature on behalf of the State Party
Statement of Outstanding Universal ValueAt the time of inscription of a property on the World Heritage List, the World Heritage Committee
indicates its Outstanding Universal Value by deciding on the criteria for inscription. Please indicate thejustification for inscription provided by the State Party, and the criteria under which the Committee
inscribed the property on the World Heritage List.
In the view of the State Party, does the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value adequately reflect
the Outstanding Universal Value of the property or is a re-submission necessary? This could beconsidered, for example, to recognise cultural values of a World Heritage property inscribed for its
outstanding natural value, or vice-versa. This may become necessary either due to the substantive
revision of the criteria by the World Heritage Committee or due to better identification or knowledgeof specific Outstanding Universal Value of the property.
Another issue that might be reviewed here is whether the delimitation of the World Heritage property,
and its buffer zone if appropriate, is adequate to ensure the protection and conservation of the
Outstanding Universal Value embodied in it. A revision or extension of the boundaries might beconsidered in response to such a review.
If a Statement of Outstanding Universal Value is not available or incomplete, it will be necessary, inthe first periodic report, for the State Party to propose such a statement. The Statement of Outstanding
Universal Value should reflect the criterion (criteria) on the basis of which the Committee inscribed
the property on the World Heritage List. It should also address questions such as: What does theproperty represent, what makes the property outstanding, what are the specific values that distinguishthe property, what is the relationship of the property with its setting, etc.? Such Statement of
Outstanding Universal Value will be examined by the Advisory Body(ies) concerned and transmitted
to the World Heritage Committee for approval, if appropriate.

II.3

Statement of authenticity and/or integrity
Under this item it is necessary to review whether the value on the basis of which the property was
inscribed on the World Heritage List, and reflected in the Statement of Outstanding Universal Valueunder item II.2 above, are being maintained.
This should also include the issue of authenticity and/or integrity in relation to the property. What was
the evaluation of the authenticity and/or integrity of the property at the time of inscription? What is theauthenticity and/or integrity of the property at present?
Please note that a more detailed analysis of the conditions of the property is required under item II.6 on
the basis of key indicators for measuring its state of conservation.

II.4

Management
Under this item, it is necessary to report on the implementation and effectiveness of protective
legislation at the national, provincial or municipal level and/or contractual or traditional protection as
well as of management and/or planning control for the property concerned, as well as on actions thatare foreseen for the future, to preserve the value described in the Statement of Outstanding Universal
Value under item II.2. Additional guidance on this issue can be found in Section III.D of the
Operational Guidelines.
The State Party should also report on significant changes in the ownership, legal status and/or
contractual or traditional protective measures, management arrangements and management plans ascompared to the situation at the time of inscription or the previous periodic report. In such case, theState Party is requested to attach to the periodic report all relevant documentation, in particular legal
texts, management plans and/or (annual) work plans for the management and maintenance of the

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Format for the periodic reporting on the application of the World Heritage Convention

property. Full name and address of the agency or person directly responsible for the property should
also be provided.
The State Party could also provide an assessment of the human and financial resources that areavailable and required for the management of the property, as well as an assessment of the training
needs for its staff.
The State Party is also invited to provide information on scientific studies, research projects, education,
information and awareness building activities directly related to the property and to comment on the
degree to which heritage values of the property are effectively communicated to residents, visitors andthe public. Matters that could be addressed are, among other things: is there a plaque at the property
indicating that the property is a World Heritage property? Are there educational programmes forschools? Are there special events and exhibitions? What facilities, visitor centre, site museum, trails,
guides, information material etc. are made available to visitors? What role does the World Heritage
designation play in all these programmes and activities?
Furthermore, the State Party is invited to provide statistical information, if possible on an annual basis,on income, visitor numbers, staff and other items if appropriate.
On the basis of the review of the management of the property, the State Party may wish to consider if asubstantive revision of the legislative and administrative provisions for the conservation of theproperty is required.
II.5

Factors affecting the property
Please comment on the degree to which the property is threatened by particular problems and risks.
Factors that could be considered under this item are those that are listed in the nomination format, e.g.
development pressure, environmental pressure, natural disasters and preparedness, visitor/tourism
pressure, number of inhabitants.
Considering the importance of forward planning and risk preparedness, provide relevant information
on operating methods that will make the State Party capable of counteracting dangers that threaten or
may endanger its cultural or natural heritage. Problems and risks to be considered could include
earthquakes, floods, land-slides, vibrations, industrial pollution, vandalism, theft, looting, changes in
the physical context of properties, mining, deforestation, poaching, as well as changes in land-use,
agriculture, road building, construction activities, tourism. Areas where improvement would bedesirable, and towards which the State Party is working should be indicated.
This item should provide up-to-date information on all factors which are likely to affect or threaten theproperty. It should also relate those threats to measures taken to deal with them.
An assessment should also be given if the impact of these factors on the property is increasing or
decreasing and what actions to address them have been effectively taken or are planned for the future.

II.6

Monitoring
Whereas item II.3 of the periodic report provides an overall assessment of the maintenance of the
Outstanding Universal Value of the property, this item analyses in more detail the conditions of theproperty on the basis of key indicators for measuring its state of conservation.
If no indicators were identified at the time of inscription of the property on the World Heritage List,
this should be done in the first periodic report. The preparation of a periodic report can also be an
opportunity to evaluate the validity of earlier identified indicators and to revise them, if necessary.
Up-to-date information should be provided in respect to each of the key indicators. Care should betaken to ensure that this information is as accurate and reliable as possible, for example by carrying out

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Annex 7

observations in the same way, using similar equipment and methods at the same time of the year andday.
Indicate which partners if any are involved in monitoring and describe what improvement the State
Party foresees or would consider desirable in improving the monitoring system.
In specific cases, the World Heritage Committee and/or its Bureau may have already examined thestate of conservation of the property and made recommendations to the State Party, either at the timeof inscription or afterwards. In such cases the State Party is requested to report on the actions that havebeen taken in response to the observations or recommendations made by the Bureau or Committee.
II.7

Summary of conclusions and recommended actions
The main conclusions under each of the items of the state of conservation report, in particular, whether
the Outstanding Universal Value of the property are maintained, should be summarized and tabulated
together with:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)

Main conclusions regarding the state of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property (seeitems II.2. and II.3. above)
Main conclusions regarding the management and factors affecting the property (see Items II.4
and II.5. above)
Proposed future action(s)Responsible implementing agency(ies)
Timeframe for implementation
Needs for international assistance

The State Party is also requested to indicate what experience the State Party has obtained that could be
relevant to others dealing with similar problems or issues. Please provide names and contact details oforganizations or specialists who could be contacted for this purpose.

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International Assistance Request Form

World
Heritage
Convention

INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCEREQUEST FORMThe International Assistance request form is available at the following Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/intassistance , and can be filled at the same address.

Further guidance on International Assistance can be found in Section VII of the Operational
Guidelines

See attached Explanatory Notes on completing this Request formThe original signed version of the completed International Assistance request form should be sent inEnglish or French to:
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
7, place de Fontenoy
75352 Paris 07 SP
FranceTelephone: +33 (0)1 45 68 12 76
Fax: +33 (0)1 45 68 55 70
E-mail: wh-intassistance@unesco.org

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International Assistance Request Form

1.

Annex 8

STATE PARTY________________________________________________________________

2.

TITLE OF PROJECT________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.

TYPE OF ASSISTANCE
Emergency
AssistancePreparatory
AssistanceConservation andmanagement

CultureNatureMixed

4.

PROJECT LOCATION:a)Will the project be implemented at a World Heritage property?

□ - yes□ - noIf yes, give the name of the property________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________b)

Will the project include a field component?

□ - yes□ - noIf yes, where and how?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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International Assistance Request Formc)

Annex 8

If the project is being implemented at a World Heritage property, indicate whether it will also
benefit other World Heritage properties, and if so, which ones and how?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5.

TIMEFRAME FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT(indicate whether estimated or fixed)
Dates:___________________________________________________________
Duration: ________________________________________________________

6.

THE PROJECT IS:□ - local□ - national□ - sub-regional involving a few States Parties from a region□ - regional involving most States Parties from a region□ - international involving States Parties from different regions
If the project is national, sub-regional, regional or international, please indicate thecountries/properties which will participate/benefit from the project:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________7.

JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROJECTa)

Explain why this project is needed(for Emergency Assistance, please fill in item 8 below instead).

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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International Assistance Request Formb)

Annex 8

List all supporting documents submitted, if applicable.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8.

FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ONLYa)

Describe the actual or potential threat/danger affecting the property________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________b)

Indicate how it might affect the property’s Outstanding Universal Value________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________c)

Explain how the proposed project will address the threat/danger________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
Clearly set out the specific objectives of the project

10.

EXPECTED RESULTS
a)

Clearly state the results expected from the project________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________b)Define the indicators and means of verification which can be used to assess the achievements ofthese results:
Expected Results

Indicators

Means of verification

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International Assistance Request Form

11.

Annex 8

WORK PLAN(including specific activities and timetable)
Activities

Timeframe (in months)

Activity
Activity
Activity
Activity

12.

EVALUATION AND REPORTING(to be submitted to the World Heritage Centre within three months after the project iscompleted)

13.

PROFILES OF SPECIALISTS, TRAINERS, TECHNICIANS AND/OR SKILLED LABOUR,
IF THE PROJECT FORESEES THE PARTICIPATION OF SUCH PEOPLE(if the identity of the specialists, trainers, technicians, and/or skilled labourers is already known,please state their names and include a brief CV if possible)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14.

KEY TARGET AUDIENCES, INCLUDING PROFILES OF TRAINEES / PARTICIPANTS,
IF THE PROJECT FORESEES THE PARTICIPATION OF SUCH PEOPLE________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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International Assistance Request Form

15.

Annex 8BUDGET BREAKDOWNa)Provide, in the following table (in United States dollars), a detailed breakdown of costs of theindividual elements of the project including, if possible, unit costs and show how these will beshared between the different funding sources.

Items(choose items as applicableto the project)

Organization
 venue office expenses
 secretarial assistance translation
 simultaneous interpretation  audio-visual equipment otherPersonnel / consultancy
service (fees)
 international expert
 national expert
 coordinator otherTravel international travel cost domestic travel costs
 other
Daily subsistence allowance accommodation
 board
Equipment
 …….
 …….
Evaluation, Reporting andPublication
 evaluation
 reporting editing, layout
 printing
 distribution
 other
Miscellaneous visas other
TOTAL

Detail US$(for applicable items)

State
Party
Funds
US$

Amountrequested
to theWorld
Heritage
Fund
US$

Other
sources
US$

Total
US$

US$ __ / day for __ days = US$ __US$ __
US$ __/ day for __ days - US$ __US$ __ / page for __ pages = US$
US$ __ / hour for __ hours = US$
US$ __ / day for __ days = US$ __US$ __
US$ __ / week for __ weeks = US$ _US$ __ / week for __ weeks = US$ _US$ __ / week for __ weeks = US$ _US$ __ / week for __ weeks = US$ _US$ __
US$ __
US$ __
US$ __ / day for __ persons = US$ __US$ __ / day for __ persons = US$ __US$ __ / unit for __ units =US$ __ / unit for __ units =US$ __
US$ __
US$ __
US$ __
US$ __
US$ __
US$ __ for __ participants = US$ __US$ __

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

119International Assistance Request Formb)

Annex 8Specify whether or not resources from the State Party or other sources are already available orwhen they are likely to become available.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
16.

IN KIND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE STATE PARTY AND OTHER AGENCIESa)National agency(ies)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________b)

Other bi/multi-lateral organizations, donors, etc________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
17.

AGENCY(IES) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18.

19.

SIGNATURE ON BEHALF OF STATE PARTY
Full name_____________________________________________________

Title_____________________________________________________

Date_____________________________________________________

ANNEXES________ (number of annexes attached to the request)

120

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International Assistance Request Form

Annex 8EXPLANATORY NOTESINTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCEAPPLICATION FORM

Name of the State Party presenting theInternational Assistance request

1.

STATE PARTY

2.

TITLE OF THE PROJECT

3.

TYPE OF ASSISTANCE
Emergency
Assistance

EXPLANATORY NOTES

Preparatory
AssistanceSee Paragraph 241 of the Operational
Guidelines for details.
Conservation
andManagement*

CultureIndicate the type of assistance you arerequesting, as well as the type of heritage
covered by the project.
Please, tick only one box in the table.

NatureFor example:- Training project on rock paintings:

Mixed
Emergency
Assistance* Please note that « Conservation andManagement » now includes the previous
categories :-Training, Research Assistance-Technical Cooperation-

Assistance for education, information
and awareness raising

Preparatory
Assistance

CultureConservation
andManagement
X

NatureMixed- Preparation of a nomination file for a mixed
property:
Emergency
AssistancePreparatory
AssistanceConservation
andManagement

CultureNatureMixed

X- Emergency assistance request following a
tropical storm which affected a protected forest
area:
Emergency
AssistancePreparatory
AssistanceConservation
andManagement

CultureNature

X

Mixed

4.

PROJECT LOCATION

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

121International Assistance Request Forma)Annex 8Will the project be implemented at a
World Heritage property?
□ - yes□ - noIf yes, give the name of the propertyb)Will the project include a fieldcomponent?
□ - yes□ - noIf yes, where and how?
c)

If the project is being implemented at a
World Heritage property, indicate
whether it will also benefit other
World Heritage properties, and if so
which ones and how?

5.

TIMEFRAME FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT(indicate whether estimated or fixed)

Indicate the proposed starting date for the
project as well as its duration.

6.

THE PROJECT IS:

If other countries benefit from the project,please state whether their support for the
project has been obtained.

□

local

□

national□

sub-regional involving a few States
Parties from a region□

regional involving most States Parties
from a region□

international involving States Parties
from different regions

Also note if a transboundary property is
involved.

If the project is national, sub-regional, regional
or international, please indicate thecountries/properties which will
participate/benefit from the project.
7.

JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROJECTa)

Explain why the project is needed
Set out the problems or issues to be(for Emergency Assistance, please fill in discussed/addressed. This should include,
item 8 below instead)where appropriate, the degree of urgency of theactivities to be undertaken where appropriate.
If relevant, give details, in no more than 2
pages, of ascertained or potential threat to theproperty(ies).
Explain how the project contributes to theimplementation of:122

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

International Assistance Request Form

Annex 8- decisions of the World Heritage Committee;- recommendations of international expert
missions undertaken at the request of theCommittee, Chairperson or UNESCO;- recommendations of the Advisory Bodies;- recommendations of UNESCO World
Heritage Centre or other UNESCO Divisions;- management plans for the property;- recommendations from previous activities
supported by the World Heritage Fund.
Clearly indicate which documents you arereferring to (World Heritage Committee’s
decision number, Mission dates, etc…)b)

8.

List all supporting documents
submitted, if applicable.

Whenever possible, support the justification
with documentary evidence, such as reports,
photographs, slides, maps, etc...

FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ONLYa)

Describe the actual or potential
threat/danger affecting the property

Emergency Assistance funds will not be
automatically granted after a major disaster has
occurred. This type of assistance will be
provided only in cases when an imminent
danger related to a natural or human-madedisaster is threatening the overall Outstanding
Universal Value of a World Heritage property
and its authenticity and/or integrity, to preventor at least significantly mitigate its possible
negative impact on the property.
Emergency Assistance may also be provided toassess whether or not imminent danger ispresent, for example as a result of a majordisaster.
When, on the contrary, due to a disaster, acertain loss of heritage has already taken place,but there is no more imminent threat or riskthat needs to be addressed as a matter ofurgency, other forms of assistance would
appear to be more appropriate (e.g.
conservation and management assistance).

b)

Indicate how it might affect theproperty’s Outstanding Universal Value

In establishing priorities for granting
Emergency Assistance, consideration will begiven to whether the threat/danger to beaddressed has the potential, if not mitigated, toaffect the Outstanding Universal Value of theWorld Heritage property and its authenticity

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

123International Assistance Request Form

Annex 8and/or integrity.
c)9.

Explain how the proposed project willaddress the threat/danger

OBJECTIVE(S) OF THE PROJECT
Clearly set out the specific objectives of the
project

10.

Proposals for funding under the Emergency
Assistance programme should set out how thescope of the project and its activities will assess
the threat/danger to the World Heritage
property and show how it will be effectively
mitigated.
What are the objectives you want to achievethrough the implementation of this particular
project?

EXPECTED RESULTS
a)

Clearly state the results expected fromthe project proposed.

The expected results should be concrete andmeasurable. Each expected result will bemeasured by a set of indicators (see Paragraph
10b).

b)

Define the indicators and means ofverification which can be used to assess
the achievements of these results:

Indicators are used to measure the results
achieved and to determine the progress towards
the objective of the project. They are based on
the expected results defined in Paragraph 10,
and will serve as the base for the evaluation of
the project after its completion.

Expected Results

Indicators

Means ofverification

These indicators should be objective,
measurable and expressed in quantifiable terms
such as numeric values, or percentages.
For example:
Preparatory AssistanceObjective:
To prepare a complete nomination file forsubmission to the World Heritage Centre.

124

Expected
Results

Indicators

Means ofVerification

The completed
nomination filesubmitted to
the World
Heritage
Centre by 1
February 200x.

 Nomination

 Postal record ofsubmitted by thedeadline Report from the

The completed
management
plan to besubmitted
along with thenomination file Management plan Postal record ofsubmitted by thedeadline Report from thesending the file
WHC/POL tothe State Party

sending the file
WHC/POL tothe State Party

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

International Assistance Request Form

Annex 8The
nomination fileis judged
complete by
the World
Heritage
Centre andAdvisory
Bodies Successful

 Letter from theexamination by
the World
Heritage Centre
and Advisory
Bodies forcompletenessWorld Heritage
Centre to theState Party
informing them
the file isconsidered
complete

Emergency AssistanceObjective:
To stabilize the structure of a building that has
just been damaged due to flooding or anearthquake.
Expected
Results

Indicators

Means ofVerification

The structureof the building
would havebeen stabilized Emergency

 Report of astructuralproblems
identified
 Plans for
emergency works
finalized
 Temporary
stabilization
measures carriedoutstructural
engineer on theemergency stateof the structure Costed proposal
for emergency
works to be
carried out Final report ofthe stabilization
work
implemented

Plans forfurtherconservation
work would
have beendeveloped for
futureimplementation

 Overall structural Report of aanalysis carriedout Costed plans forfurther necessaryconservation
work preparedstructural
engineer on theoverall state ofconservation of
the structure Costed proposal
for necessaryconservation
works to be
carried out

Conservation and Management AssistanceObjective:
To improve management at a property
inscribed on the World Heritage List withspecial attention to community involvement

Expected

Indicators

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Means of125

International Assistance Request Form

Annex 8Results

126

Verification

An integrated
management
plan for theproperty Setting up of a Monthly

management
planning team forthe developmentof themanagement planwith participantsfrom thenecessary sectors
including the
local community
 Completion of aStatement of
Outstanding
Universal Valuefor the property
 Analysis of theconservation andmanagement
problems
affecting theproperty Existence of clear
objectives andstrategies forachieving them

reports of the
management
planning teammeetings
 Discussion
papersproduced byteam membersof each of the
key issues
faced in the
management of
the property
 Finalmanagement
plan document

A management
committee
including somemembers of thelocalcommunity

 Appointment of Statutes andmembers of the
management
committee
including at least
two members of
the local
community
 At least 3 regularmonthly meetingsof theManagement
Committee

rules ofprocedure fortheManagement
Committee
approved byappropriate
authorities
 Monthlyreports of theManagement
Committee

Management
plan approved
withappropriate
legal status

 Approval by the Decree placed

local government
authorityin the “National
Gazette”
establishing themanagement
plan as a local
regulation.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

International Assistance Request Form

11.

WORK PLAN(including specific activities and timetable)
Activities

Timeframe (in months)

Activity
Activity
Activity

Annex 8Describe the work plan of the activity(ies) to
be undertaken with specific reference to the
expected results mentioned in Paragraph 10
above. Indicate dates, duration of each activity.
For meetings and training activities, tentative
programmes should be provided including thethemes, issues and problems to be discussed.
For example:
For Expected Result No. 1:

Activity
Activities

Timeframe (in months)

Activity
Activity
Activity
Activity

For Expected Result No. 2:
Activities

Timeframe (in months)

Activity
Activity
Activity
Activity

12.

EVALUATION AND REPORTING(to be submitted to the World Heritage
Centre within three months after the
implementation of the project is completed)

Final Report:
The final report should be prepared by theauthority/person in charge of theimplementation of the project.
The final report should be structured according
to the expected results defined in Paragraph 10.
Evaluation:
The evaluation should focus on the results
achieved and their impact on (for example):- the inscription of a property on the World
Heritage List following a preparatory
assistance,- the Periodic Report and the State ofOperational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention127International Assistance Request Form

Annex 8conservation,- the removal of a property from the List ofWorld Heritage in danger following an
emergency assistance,- the implementation of the World Heritage
Convention, including its Strategic
Objectives (“4Cs”) and other strategies (e.g.
Global Strategy, …),- the national and/or local institutions,- the capacity building of local staff,- the awareness raising of the general public,- the participants to the project,- attracting other resources,- etc…
Indicate who will be responsible for theevaluation of the project.
PROFILES OF SPECIALISTS,
TRAINERS, TECHNICIANS AND/OR
SKILLED LABOUR, IF THE PROJECTFORESEES THE PARTICIPATION OF
SUCH PEOPLE(if the identity of the specialists, trainers,
technicians, and/or skilled labourers isalready known, please state their names andinclude a brief CV if possible)

Indicate the precise field of specialization andthe work to be undertaken by each specialist as
well as the duration required. The World
Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies areavailable to recommend resource persons /trainers, should the State(s) Party(ies)concerned so request.

14.

KEY TARGET AUDIENCES,INCLUDING PROFILES OF TRAINEES /PARTICIPANTS, IF THE PROJECTFORESEES THE PARTICIPATION OF
SUCH PEOPLE

Indicate the target groups and beneficiaries ofthe project, their professions, institutions, orfield(s) of specialization.

15.

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

13.

a)

128

Please include the names of any specialists, if
already known, who will be taking part in the
project and send a short CV if possible as anannex to the request form.

Provide, in the following table (inUnited States dollars), a detailed
breakdown of costs of the individual
elements of the project including, if
possible, unit costs and show how thesewill be shared between the different
funding sources:

Indicate in the table the breakdown of all
expenses related to the project, also indicating
the cost-sharing between the various donors(State Party, World Heritage Fund, others).

(i)

Items within this section could include the costof a venue, office expenses, secretarial
assistance, translation, simultaneousinterpretation, audio-visual equipment, or otherorganizational costs necessary for theOrganization

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

International Assistance Request Form

Annex 8successful implementation of the project.

b)

16.

17.

(ii) Personnel and Consultancy
Services

Items within this section could include the costof international experts, national experts, a
local or international coordinator, or otherpersonnel necessary for the successful
implementation of the project.

(iii) Travel

Items within this section could include the costof international or domestic travel necessary
for the successful implementation of the
project.

(iv) Daily Subsistence Allowance

Items within this section could include the costof accommodation, meals, and incidentals
necessary for the successful implementation of
the project.

(v)

Items within this section could include any
equipment necessary for the successful
implementation of the project.

Equipment(vi) Evaluation, Reporting andPublication

Items within this section could include the costof evaluation, reporting, editing and layout,
printing, distribution, and other costs necessary
for the successful implementation of the
project.

(vii) Miscellaneous

Items within this section could include the costof visas or other small costs that are necessary
for the successful implementation of the
project.

Specify whether or not resources fromthe State Party or other sources are
already available or when they are likely
to become available

If the resources are not already available,
indicate whether they will be before thebeginning of the project.

IN KIND CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE
STATE PARTY AND OTHER AGENCIESa)National agency(ies)

Specify in detailb)

Other bi/multi-lateral organizations,donors, etc

Specify in detail

AGENCY(IES) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECT

Please provide the name, title, address and allcontact details of the person/agency(ies) who
will be responsible for the implementation of
the project as well as those of any otherparticipating agencies.
Please, indicate whether the legislative andadministrative commitment of the State Party
is available for the project (see Paragraph 239dof the Operational Guidelines).

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

129International Assistance Request Form

18.

SIGNATURE ON BEHALF OF STATE
PARTY

Annex 8Full name
Title
Date

19.

130

ANNEXESIn this section, list the number of annexes
attached to the request and titles of each annex.

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

International Assistance Request Form

Annex 8Process of submission for International Assistance requests for Conservation & Management
Assistance and Preparatory Assistance above US$5,000
Deadline for submission:
31 October

Request incomplete and/or unsigned => Deadline
for completeness: 30 November

Request still incomplete and/or unsigned=> next cycle

Request complete and signed =>Commented by the Advisory Bodies

1st Panel (January)

Recommendation:
Positive or negative

Recommendation:
for revision- Submission to the Chairperson (fromUS$5,001 to US$30,000)- Inclusion in the Committee document on
IA (above US$30,000)

For submission to the 2nd panel (held at least 8 weeks before theCommittee session) – Deadline for submission:at least 2 weeks before the 2nd panel

Deadline respected => examination by the
2nd panel(held at least 8 weeks before theCommittee session)

Deadline not respected =>Examination by the panel of a next cycle

Recommendation:
For revision

Recommendation:
Positive or negative- Submission to the
Chairperson (fromUS$5,001 to US$30,000)- Inclusion in theCommittee document on
IA (above US$30,000)

No submission to the 2nd panel – Deadline for receiving theadditional information:- at least 8 weeks before the Committee session (above
US$30,000)- before 31 October (from US$5,001 to US$30,000)

For submission
to a next panel –Deadline forsubmission:
31 OctoberNo submission to a next panel – Deadline for receiving theadditional information:- at least 6 weeks before the Committee session (above
US$30,000)- before 31 October (from US$5,001 to US$30,000)

Deadline not respected =>Examination by the panel of a next cycle

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131

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Evaluation criteria of the Advisory Bodies for International Assistance requests

World
Heritage
Convention

EVALUATION CRITERIA OF THE ADVISORY BODIESFOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE REQUESTS

The following considerations are to be taken into account by the Advisory Bodies, World Heritage Centre,
and the relevant Decision-maker (the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, the World Heritage
Committee or the Director of the World Heritage Centre) when assessing International Assistance requests.
These items do not constitute a checklist, and not every item will be applicable to every International
Assistance Request. Rather the appropriate items are to be considered together in an integrated manner inmaking balanced judgments concerning the appropriateness of allocating the limited financial support
available through the World Heritage Fund.
A.

Eligibility requirements

1.

Is the State Party in arrears for payment of its contribution to the World Heritage Fund?

2.

Is the request coming from an authorized organization/institution of the State Party?

B.

Priority considerations

3.

Is the request from a State Party on the list of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Low Income
Economies (LIEs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) or post-conflict countries?

4.

Is the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger?

5.

Does the request further one or more of the Strategic Objectives of the World Heritage Committee(Credibility, Conservation, Capacity building, and Communication)?

6.

Does the request respond to needs identified through the Periodic Reporting process at the property
and/or regional levels?

7.

Is the request linked to a regional or sub-regional capacity building programme?

8.

Is there a capacity building aspect to the activity (no matter what type of assistance sought)?

9.

Will the lessons learned from the activity provide benefits to the larger World Heritage system?

C.

Considerations linked to the specific content of the proposed activity

10.

Are the objectives of the request clearly stated and achievable?

11.

Is there a clear work plan for achieving the results, including a timeline for its implementation? Is thework plan reasonable?

12.

Does the agency/organization responsible for implementing the proposal have the capacity to do so,
and is there a responsible person identified for ongoing contacts?

13.

Are the professionals proposed to be used (whether national or international) qualified to carry out thework being requested? Are there clear terms of reference for them, including adequate period of theirinvolvement?

14.

Is the involvement of all relevant parties taken into account in the proposal (for example stakeholders,
other institutions, etc.)?

15.

Are the technical requirements clearly expressed and are they reasonable?

132

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Evaluation criteria of the Advisory Bodies for International Assistance requests

Annex 916.

Is there a clear plan for reporting the results and for continued monitoring, including appropriate
indicators for success?

17.

Is there a commitment of the State Party for appropriate follow-up after the activity is completed?

D.

Budgetary / Financial considerations

18.

Is the overall budget reasonable for the work that is proposed to be carried out?

19.

Is the budget detailed sufficiently to ensure that the unit costs are reasonable and in line with local
costs and/or UNESCO norms and rules as appropriate?

20.

Does the request act as a catalyst (multiplier) for other funding (are other sources of funding, either
cash or in-kind clearly specified)?

E.

Considerations for specific types of International Assistancea)

Emergency Assistance Requests

21.

Does the threat or disaster covered by the request conform to the definition of an emergency within
the Operational Guidelines (unexpected phenomena)?

22.

Can the proposed intervention be carried out with reasonable safety for those involved with its
implementation?

23.

Does the intervention respond to the most critical issues related to the protection/conservation of theproperty?
b)

Preparatory Assistance Requests

For requests for preparation of nomination files
24.

Is the property on the State Party’s Tentative List?

25.

Does the State Party already have properties inscribed on the World Heritage List? If yes, how many?

26.

Is the type of property proposed for World Heritage listing un-represented or under-represented in theWorld Heritage List?

27.

Is sufficient attention paid to necessary elements, such as the preparation of the management plan,comparative analysis, Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, mapping, etc.?

28.

Is sufficient attention given to community involvement?
For requests for preparation of Tentative Lists

29.

Is the process designed to include all the necessary stakeholders and points of view?

30.

Are both natural and cultural heritage professionals proposed to be involved?

31.

Is the State Party new to the World Heritage Convention?

32.

If the request is for harmonization of Tentative Lists, are representatives from all the necessary States
Parties in the region or sub-region involved?
For requests for preparation of other types of assistance33.

If the request is for the preparation of a request for other assistance, is the need for the eventual
request well documented?

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133

Evaluation criteria of the Advisory Bodies for International Assistance requestsc)Annex 9Conservation and Management Assistance Requests

For requests for conservation work or the preparation of a management plan34.

Is the property on the World Heritage List?

35.

Is the work being proposed a priority for protecting or safeguarding the property?

36.

Does the work being proposed conform to best practice?
For requests for training activities

37.

Is it clearly related to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention?

38.

Does it take place on a World Heritage property or involve a visit/case study of a World Heritage
property?

39.

Does it involve those responsible for conservation at a World Heritage property as trainees orresource persons?

40.

Does it respond to well-defined training needs?

41.

Are the training methods appropriate to ensure that the learning objectives will be met?

42.

Does it strengthen a local and/or regional training institution?

43.

Is it linked with practical applications in the field?

44.

Is there a provision for disseminating results and related training materials to other organizations in
the World Heritage system?
For requests related to scientific research

45.

Can it be demonstrated that the subject matter is of a priority nature for better protection andsafeguarding of World Heritage properties?

46.

Can it be demonstrated that the results will be concrete and applicable widely within the World
Heritage system?
For requests for educational or awareness activities

47.

Will it help make the World Heritage Convention better known or create a stronger interest in it
amongst the target audience?

48.

Will it create a greater awareness of the different issues related to the implementation of the World
Heritage Convention?

49.

Will it promote more involvement in World Heritage Convention related activities?

50.

Will it be a means of exchanging experiences or stimulate joint educational and information
programmes, especially amongst school children?

51.

Will it produce appropriate awareness materials for the promotion of the World Heritage Convention
for use by the target audience?

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Statement of Outstanding Universal ValueWorld
Heritage
Convention

STATEMENT OFOUTSTANDING UNIVERSAL VALUE

Format of a Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, and of a retrospective Statement of Outstanding
Universal Value.
The retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value should be submitted either in English or in
French. An electronic version (Word or .pdf format) should also be submitted.
A Statement of Outstanding Universal Value should respect the following format (2 A4 pages max):
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)

Brief synthesis
Justification for Criteria
Statement of integrity (for all sites)
Statement of Authenticity (for sites under criteria i-vi)
Requirements for protection and management

Deadline
1 February26 of the year preceding the one in which the approval of the Committee is requested.

26 If 1 February falls on a weekend, the nomination must be received by 17h00 GMT the preceding Friday

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Modifications to World Heritage Properties

World
Heritage
Convention

MODIFICATIONSTO WORLD HERITAGE PROPERTIESMINOR MODIFICATIONS TO THE BOUNDARIES OF WORLD HERITAGE PROPERTIES
Boundary modifications should serve better identification of World Heritage properties and enhanceprotection of their Outstanding Universal Value.
A proposal for a minor boundary modification, submitted by the State Party concerned, is subject to thereview of the relevant Advisory Body(ies) and to the approval of the World Heritage Committee.
A proposal for a minor boundary modification can be approved, not approved, or referred by the World
Heritage Committee.
Documentation requested
1) Area of the property (in hectares): please indicate a) the area of the property as inscribed and b) thearea of the property as proposed to be modified (or the area of the proposed buffer zone). (Note that
reductions can be considered as minor modifications only under exceptional circumstances).
2) Description of the modification: please provide a written description of the proposed change to theboundary of the property (or a written description of the proposed buffer zone).
3) Justification for the modification: please provide a brief summary of the reasons why the boundariesof the property should be modified (or why a buffer zone is needed), with particular emphasis on how
such modification will improve the conservation and/or protection of the property.
4) Contribution to the maintenance of the Outstanding Universal Value: please indicate how the
proposed change (or the proposed buffer zone) will contribute to the maintenance of the Outstanding
Universal Value of the property.
5) Implications for legal protection: please indicate the implications of the proposed change for the legal
protection of the property. In the case of a proposed addition, or of the creation of a buffer zone, pleaseprovide information on the legal protection in place for the area to be added and a copy of relevant laws
and regulations.
6) Implications for management arrangements: please indicate the implications of the proposed change
for the management arrangements of the property. In the case of a proposed addition, or of the creationof a buffer zone, please provide information on the management arrangements in place for the area to be
added.
7) Maps: please submit two maps, one clearly showing both delimitations of the property (original andproposed revision) and the other showing only the proposed revision. In the case of the creation of abuffer zone, please submit a map showing both the inscribed property and the proposed buffer zone.
Please make sure that the maps:- are either topographic or cadastral;- are presented at a scale which is appropriate to the size in hectares of the property and sufficient toclearly show the detail of the current boundary and the proposed changes (and, in any case, the largest
available and practical scale);136

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Modifications to World Heritage Properties

Annex 11- have the title and the legend/key in English or French (if this is not possible, please attach atranslation);- mark the boundaries of the property (current and proposed revision) through a clearly visible line thatcan be distinguished from other features on the maps;- bear a clearly labeled coordinate grid (or coordinate ticks);- clearly refer (in the title and in the legend) to the boundary of the World Heritage property (and to thebuffer zone of the World Heritage property, if applicable). Please clearly distinguish the boundary of
the World Heritage property from any other protected area boundaries.
8) Additional information: In the case of a proposed addition, please submit some photographs of thearea to be added that provide information on its key values and conditions of authenticity/integrity.
Any other relevant document can be submitted such as thematic maps (e.g. vegetation maps), summaries ofscientific information concerning the values of the area to be added (e.g. species lists), and supporting
bibliographies.
The above-mentioned documentation should be submitted in English or French in two identical copies(three for mixed properties). An electronic version (the maps in formats such as .jpg, .tif, .pdf) should also
be submitted.
Deadline
1 February27 of the year in which the approval of the Committee is requested.

27 If 1 February falls on a weekend, the nomination must be received by 17h00 GMT the preceding Friday

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FORM FOR THE SUBMISSION OF
FACTUAL ERRORS IN
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Form for the submission of Factual Errors in the Advisory Bodies Evaluations

World
Heritage
Convention(in compliance with Paragraph 150 of the Operational Guidelines)
STATE(S) PARTY(IES):EVALUATION OF THE NOMINATION OF THE SITE:RELEVANT ADVISORY BODY’S EVALUATION28:

Page,
column, lineof theAdvisory
Body
Evaluation

Sentence including thefactual error

Proposed correction by
the State Party

Comment (if any) by theAdvisory Body and/or theWorld Heritage Centre(the factual error should behighlighted in bold)

The Factual Errors submission form, as well as an example of such a completed form, are available
from the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and at the following Web address:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/factualerrors.



Further guidance on the submission of Factual Errors can be found in Paragraph 150 of the
Operational Guidelines.

States Parties are requested to immediately submit this information in electronic format or by e-mailto wh-nominations@unesco.org.

The original signed version of the completed Factual Errors submission form should be received in English
or French by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, at the following address: 7 place de Fontenoy, 75352
Paris 07 SP, France, no later than 14 days before the opening of the session of the Committee.

28 For nominations of mixed sites, if there are errors in both the Evaluations of the Advisory Bodies, separate forms should besubmitted for each Advisory Body indicating which Advisory Body's Evaluation each submission is referring to.

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FORMAT FOR THE SUBMISSION OF
STATE OF CONSERVATION REPORTS
BY THE STATES PARTIES(in compliance with Paragraph 169 of the Operational Guidelines)
Name of World Heritage property (State(s) Party(ies)) (Identification number)
1.

Executive Summary of the report[Note: each of the sections described below should be summarized. The maximum length ofthe executive summary is 1 page.]2.

Response to the Decision of the World Heritage Committee[Note: The State(s) Party(ies) is/are requested to address the most recent Decision of theWorld Heritage Committee for this property, paragraph by paragraph.]
If the property is inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
Please also provide detailed information on the following:a)Progress achieved in implementing the corrective measures adopted by the World
Heritage Committee[Note: please address each corrective measure individually, providing factual
information, including exact dates, figures, etc.]
If needed, please describe the success factors or difficulties in implementing each of
the corrective measures identified3.

b)Is the timeframe for implementing the corrective measures suitable? If not, please
propose an alternative timeframe and an explanation why this alternative timeframe isrequired.

c)

Progress achieved towards the Desired state of conservation for the removal of theproperty from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR)

Other current conservation issues identified by the State(s) Party(ies) which may have an
impact on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value[Note: this includes conservation issues which are not mentioned in the Decision of
the World Heritage Committee or in any information request from the World Heritage
Centre]4.

In conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, describe any potential
major restorations, alterations and/or new construction(s) intended within the property, thebuffer zone(s) and/or corridors or other areas, where such developments may affect the
Outstanding Universal Value of the property, including authenticity and integrity.

5.

Public access to the state of conservation report[Note: this report will be uploaded for public access on the World Heritage Centre’s State ofconservation Information System (http://whc.unesco.org/en/soc). Should your State Party
request that the full report should not be uploaded, only the 1-page executive summary
provided in point (1.) above will be uploaded for public access].

6.

Signature of the Authority

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Table of Uses of the World Heritage Emblem

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TABLE OF USESOF THE WORLD HERITAGE EMBLEM

This table was prepared on the basis of Chapter VIII of the Operational Guidelines of the World Heritage
Convention and the Directives Concerning the Use of the Name, Acronym, Logo and Internet Domain
Names of UNESCO (Resolution 34C/86).
Reminder concerning the authority and delegation of authority for the use of the World Heritage Emblem
according to Chapter VIII of the Operational Guidelines:
Para. 262:
"The World Heritage Committee is responsible for determining the use of the World Heritage Emblem andfor making policy prescriptions regarding how it may be used."Para. 276:
"National authorities may grant the use of the Emblem to a national entity, provided that the project,
whether national or international, involves only World Heritage properties located on the same national
territory. National authorities’ decision should be guided by the Guidelines and Principles."Para. 278:
Any other request must be adressed to the Director of the World Heritage Centre, who has the authority to
grant the use of the Emblem in accordance with the Guidelines and Principles.
For cases not covered, or not sufficiently covered, by the Guidelines and Principles and by the Table of Uses,
the Director refers the matter to the Chairperson who, in the most difficult cases, might wish to refer thematter to the Committee for final decision.
Reminder concerning the use of the linked logo and of the stand alone Emblem:
Para. 262:
Since the adoption by the UNESCO General Conference in October 2007 of the Directives concerning theUse of the Name, Acronym, Logo and Internet Domain Names of UNESCO, it is strongly encouraged to use
the World Heritage Emblem as part of a linked logo block accompanied by UNESCO’s logo, wheneverfeasible. The use of the World Heritage Emblem alone remains however possible, in line with the present
Guidelines and with the Table of Uses (Annex 14 of the Guidelines).

140

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Table of Uses of the World Heritage Emblem

Annex 14

Reminder concerning the graphic charter:
The graphic charter of the UNESCO logo is available here:
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/name-and-logo/graphics/
According to the Preamble of Chapter VIII of the Operational Guidelines, the stand alone World Heritage
Emblem can be used in any colour or size.
The logos are provided by the authorizing entities (as detailed in the following table) in digital format whichcannot be modified by the users in any way.
It is obligatory to submit the draft layout of the intended use to the authorizing entity for validation before
production.
Definition of commercial use:
The sale of goods or services bearing the name, acronym, logo and/or Internet domain name of UNESCO
combined with the World Heritage Emblem chiefly for profit shall be regarded as “commercial use” for the
purpose of the Operational Guidelines. Such use must be expressly authorized by the Director-General,
under a specific contractual arrangement (definition adapted from UNESCO Logo Directives 2007. Art
III.2.1.3)

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention141Annex 14

Table of Uses of the World Heritage Emblem

WORLD HERITAGE CENTRE
Uses and purposes
World Heritage Centre WHC (for international
content)

Uses
Type of Logo the WHC
can useUse of the Logo by the
WHC is authorized by

1) Publications
UNESCO/World Heritage Statutory use2) Communication
Convention logo
materials
3) Website, social media,
apps, etc.
4) Working documents5) Communication products(such as T-shirts, bags,
umbrellas), for special
events6) Stationery

Authorization
WHC can authorize theLogo forState Party hosting a
Committee

Type of Logo the WHC
can authorize

Graphic illustrations
Logo to be used and/or
authorized by the WHC

UNESCO/World Heritage
Convention logo

1) Publications
UNESCO/World Heritage Statutory use2) Communication
Centre logo
materials
3) Website, social media,
apps, etc.
4) Working documents5) Communication products(such as T-shirts, bags,
umbrellas), for special
events6) Stationery

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Table of Uses of the World Heritage Emblem

Uses and purposes
World Heritage Centre(continued)

Annex 14

Uses
Type of Logo the WHC
can use1) Publications
World Heritage Emblem2) Communicationmaterials
3) Website, social media,
apps, etc.
4) Small-size
communication products(such as pens, key-ringsetc), for special events
5) Stationery

Authorization
Use of the Logo by the
WHC is authorized by

WHC can authorize theLogo for

Type of Logo the WHC
can authorize

Statutory use

1) World Heritage Site
Management Authority
2) State Party hosting a
Committee

World Heritage Emblem

Committee session

UNESCO/World Heritage Statutory use
logo + "XXth/st/rd/nd
World Heritage Committee
session"State Party hosting a
Committee

UNESCO/World Heritagelogo + "XXth/st/rd/nd
World Heritage Committee
session"Partnership with external
entities (private and public
sector)

UNESCO/World Heritage
Centre logo with text
“With the support of”, “In
cooperation with”, or “Inpartnership with”

Entities in the framework ofcontractual arrangements

UNESCO/World Heritage
Centre logo with text “Withthe support of”, “In
cooperation with”, or “Inpartnership with”

Statutory use

UNESCO/World Heritage
Centre or Convention logo
+ Partner's logo and/or text

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Graphic illustrations
Logo to be used and/or
authorized by the WHC

UNESCO/World Heritage
Centre or Convention logo
+ Partner's logo and/or text143

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Table of Uses of the World Heritage Emblem

NATIONAL COMMISSIONS OR AGENCIES
Uses and purposes

Uses

1 - National Commission(for national content)

Type of Logo the
NatCom can use

1) Non-commercial
publications
2) Communicationmaterials
3) Website, social media,
apps, etc.
4) Communication
products such as Tshirts, bags, umbrellas(non-merchandising,
exceptionally forspecial events)
5) Stationery

UNESCO/World Heritagelogo with text “World
Heritage in… [Countryname]”

144

Authorization
Use of the Logo by the
NatCom is authorizedbyStatutory use

NatCom can authorize
the use of the Logo for
Local government
authorities and sitemanaging authorities.

Type of Logo the
NatCom can authorize

Graphic illustrations
Logo to be used and/or authorized
by the NatCom

UNESCO/World
Heritage logo with text
"World Heritage in+country"

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Table of Uses of the World Heritage Emblem

Uses and purposes
1 - National Commission(continued)

Annex 14

Uses

Authorization

Type of Logo the NatCom Use of the Logo by the NatCom can authorize theType of Logo thecan useNatCom is authorized byuse of the Logo for
NatCom can authorize

1) Website, social media, World Heritage Emblem
apps, etc. when space islimited2) Communication
products as a graphic
element or when spaceis limited
3) Stationery4) Any other applicable
case according to the
Operational Guidelines

Statutory use

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

World Heritage sitemanagement authority

Graphic illustrations
Logo to be used and/or authorized
by the NatCom

World Heritage Emblem

145Annex 14

Table of Uses of the World Heritage Emblem

Uses and purposes

Uses

Authorization

1 - National Commission(continued)

Type of Logo the NatCom Use of the Logo by the NatCom can authorize the Type of Logo thecan useNatCom is authorized by use of the Logo for
NatCom can authorize

Road signs, highway signs

Choice of the logo
Statutory use
according to the kind of sign
and its location:
UNESCO/World Heritagelogo in full or simplified
with site's name underneath

World Heritage sitemanagement authority

Graphic illustrations

Logo to be used and/or authorized
by the NatCom

UNESCO/World Heritagelogo in full or simplified
with site's nameunderneath

Text under the name of the site is
optional.
Possibility to replace “inscribed on
the World Heritage List in” by“World Heritage since”

Commercial use

146

World Heritage Emblem

Statutory use

UNESCO/World Heritagelogo with text “World
Heritage in...
[Country name]”

Director-General of
UNESCOWorld Heritage sitemanagement authority

World Heritage Emblem

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Table of Uses of the World Heritage Emblem

World Heritage Emblem

Uses and purposes

Annex 14

Statutory use

National entity

Uses

World Heritage Emblem

Authorization

1 - National Commission(continued)

Type of Logo the NatCom Use of the Logo by the NatCom can authorize theType of Logo thecan useNatCom is authorized byuse of the Logo for
NatCom can authorize

Committee session

UNESCO/World Heritage + World Heritage Centre"XXth/st/rd/nd World
Heritage Committee
Session"Patronage for World
Heritage related one-off
events (ex: conferences,publications or audio-visual
production activity on
national or local level)

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Organizing authority

UNESCO/World Heritage+ "XXth/st/rd/nd World
Heritage Committee
session"Organizing entities

UNESCO/World Heritagelogo with text “Under thepatronage of the National
Commission of xxx for
UNESCO”

Graphic illustrations
Logo to be used and/or authorized
by the NatCom

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World Heritage related
partnership with nationalorganisations

Uses and purposes
2 - Agency - designatednational authority (fornational content)

National organisation
having established apartnership with the
National Commission

Uses

Type of Logo the agency
can use1) Non-commercial
UNESCO/World Heritage
publications
logo with text “World
2) Communication
Heritage in... [Countrymaterialsname]”
3) Website, social media,
apps, etc.
4) Communication
products (such as Tshirts, bags, umbrellas)
non-merchandising, for
special events
5) Stationery

148

UNESCO/World Heritagelogo with text “With thesupport of the xxx
National Commission for
UNESCO”, or “In
cooperation with the xxx
National Commission for
UNESCO”, or “Inpartnership with the xxx
National Commission for
UNESCO”

Authorization

Graphic illustrations

Use of the Logo by the Agency can authorize the Type of Logo the agency Logo to be used and/or authorised
agency is authorized byuse of the Logo to
can authorizeby the agency
National Commission orWorld Heritage Centre

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Table of Uses of the World Heritage Emblem

1) Non-commercial
World Heritage Emblem
publications
2) Communicationmaterials
3) Website, social media,
apps, etc. when space islimited4) Communication
products (such as Tshirts, bags, umbrellas)
non-merchandising, for
special events
5) Stationery

Annex 14

Statutory use

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

World Heritage sitemanagement authority

World Heritage Emblem

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Uses and purposes
2 - Agency - designatednational authority(continued)
Road signs, highway signs

Uses
Type of Logo the agency
can useAuthorization

Graphic illustrations

Use of the Logo by the Agency can authorize the Type of Logo the agency Logo to be used and/or authorised
agency is authorized byuse of the Logo to
can authorizeby the agency

Choice of the logo
National Commission oraccording to the kind of sign World Heritage Centre
and its location:
UNESCO/World Heritagelogo in full or simplified
with site's name underneath

World Heritage sitemanagement authority

UNESCO/World Heritagelogo in full or simplified
with site's nameunderneath

Text under the name of the site is
optional.
Possibility to replace “inscribed on
the World Heritage List in” by“World Heritage since”
World Heritage Emblem

150

Statutory use

World Heritage sitemanagement authority

World Heritage Emblem

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Table of Uses of the World Heritage Emblem

Uses and purposes
2 - Agency - designatednational authority(continued)
Commercial use

Annex 14

Uses

Authorization

Graphic illustrations

Type of Logo the agency
can useUse of the Logo by the Agency can authorize the Type of Logo the agency Logo to be used and/or authorised
agency is authorized byuse of the Logo to
can authorizeby the agency

UNESCO/World Heritagelogo with text “World
Heritage in... [Countryname]”

Director-General of
UNESCOWorld Heritage Emblem

Statutory use

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WORLD HERITAGE SITE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
Uses and purposes
World Heritage sitemanagement authority(for site-related content)

Uses

Type of Logo the WH site
can use1) Non-commercial
UNESCO/World Heritage
publications
site-specific logo2) Communicationmaterials
3) Website, social
media, apps, etc.
4) Communication
products (such as Tshirts, bags, umbrellas)
non-merchandising,for special events
5) Stationery
6) Plaque, flag, banner152

Authorization
Use of the Logo by theWH site is authorizedby

WH Site can authorize
the Logo forType of Logo the WH
Site can authorize

Graphic illustrations

Logo to be used and/or authorized
by the WH site

National Commission orWorld Heritage Centre

Possibility to replace “Inscribed on
the World Heritage List in” by“World Heritage since”

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Table of Uses of the World Heritage Emblem

Uses and purposes
World Heritage sitemanagement authority(continued)

Annex 14

Uses

Type of Logo the WH site
can use1) Non-commercial
World Heritage Emblem
publications
2) Communicationmaterials
3) Website, social media,
apps, etc. when spaceis limited4) Communication
products (T-shirts,
bags, umbrellas, keyrings, pens etc.) nonmerchandising, for
special events
5) Plaque, flag, banner

Authorization
Use of the Logo by theWH site is authorizedby

WH site can authorize
the Logo forType of Logo the WH
site can authorize

Graphic illustrations

Logo to be used and/or authorized
by the WH site

National Commission or
agency or World
Heritage Centre

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Uses and purposes
World Heritage site
Management Authority(continued)
Road signs, highway signs

Uses

Type of Logo the WH site
can useAuthorization
Use of the Logo by theWH site is authorizedby

WH site can authorize
the Logo forType of Logo the WH
site can authorize

Graphic illustrations

Logo to be used and/or authorized
by the WH site

Choice of the logo
National Commission oraccording to the kind of sign World Heritage Centre
and its location:
UNESCO/World Heritagelogo in full or simplified
with site's name underneath

Text under the name of the site is
optional.
Possibility to replace "inscribed on
the World Heritage List in" by"World Heritage since"
World Heritage Emblem

154

National Commission orWorld Heritage Centre

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Table of Uses of the World Heritage Emblem

Uses and purposes
World Heritage site
Management Authority(continued)
Commercial use

Annex 14

Uses

Authorization

Type of Logo the WH site
can useUse of the Logo by theWH site is authorized
by

UNESCO/World Heritagesite-specific logo

Director-General of
UNESCO

WH site can authorize theLogo for

Type of Logo the WH
site can authorize

Graphic illustrations

Logo to be used and/or authorized
by the WH site

Possibility to replace:“inscribed on the World Heritage
List in” by “World Heritage since”
World Heritage Emblem

National Commission

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Specific case: serial sites or very large sites including several/various elements/monuments/places
Uses and purposes
World Heritage sitemanagement authority(continued)
1) Non-commercial
publications
2) Communicationmaterials
3) Website, social media,
apps, etc.
4) Communication
products (T-shirts,
bags, umbrellas, keyrings, pens etc.) nonmerchandising, for
special events
5) Stationery
6) Plaque, flag, banner

156

Uses

Type of Logo the WH site
can useAuthorization
Use of the Logo by theWH site is authorized
by

UNESCO/World Heritage National Commission orsite-specific logo, preceded World Heritage Centre
by the mention “Xxxx[name of theelement/monument/place],part of”

WH site can authorize
the Logo forType of Logo the WH
site can authorize

Graphic illustrations

Logo to be used and/or authorized
by the WH site

Xxxx part ofOperational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Table of Uses of the World Heritage Emblem

Annex 14WORLD HERITAGE ADVISORY BODIES
Uses and purposes

Advisory Bodies

Uses
Type of Logo theAdvisory Bodies can use

Authorization
Use of the Logo by
Advisory Bodies is
authorized by

1) Non-commercial
publications
2) Non-commercial
communicationmaterials
3) Website4) Non-commercial
stationery

UNESCO/World Heritage
Convention logo

World Heritage Centre

1) Publications
2) Communicationmaterials
3) Website
4) Stationery

World Heritage Emblem

World Heritage Centre

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

Advisory Bodies canauthorize the Logo forType of Logo theAdvisory Bodies canauthorize

Graphic illustrations
Logo to be used by the Advisory
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PATRONAGE
Uses and purposes

Patronage

One-off activities(conferences, exhibitions,
festivals, publications or
audio-visual productions)

Uses

Authorization

UNESCO DirectorGeneral can authorize

Organizing authorities

Type of Logo DirectorGeneral can authorize

Graphic illustrations

Logo to be authorized

UNESCO/World
Heritage logo with text
“Under the patronage of”.

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SELECT WORLD HERITAGE BIBLIOGRAPHYWORLD HERITAGE CENTRE DOCUMENTS DATABASE
http://whc.unesco.org/en/documents/
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre "Official Records" searchable online document collection permits theretrieval of information contained in the reports of the World Heritage Committee and General Assembly ofStates Parties to the Convention
BASIC TEXTSUNESCO. 1972. Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. (World
Heritage Convention).
http://whc.unesco.org/en/conventiontext
UNESCO General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention concerning the Protection of the World
Cultural and Natural Heritage. 2014. Rules of Procedure. WHC-14/GA/1 Rev. 4 (as of 14 November 2014)
http://whc.unesco.org/en/ga/
UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. 1995.
Financial Regulations for the World Heritage Fund, Paris. (WHC/7, August 1995).
http://whc.unesco.org/en/committeerules
UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. 2013.
Rules of Procedure, WHC-2013/5
http://whc.unesco.org/en/committee
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2005. Basic Texts of the 1972 World Heritage Convention (2005 Edition).
Paris, UNESCO.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/basictexts/
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Tentative Lists.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/
STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS
UNESCO World Heritage Committee. 1992. Strategic Orientations. in Annex II of the Report of the 16th
session of the World Heritage Committee (Santa Fe, 1992) (WHC-92/CONF.002/12).
http://whc.unesco.org/en/documents/940
UNESCO World Heritage Committee. 1994. Report of the Expert Meeting on the "Global Strategy" andthematic studies for a representative World Heritage List (20-22 June 1994) (WHC-94/CONF.003/INF.6)
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/global94.htm
UNESCO World Heritage Committee. 1994. Nara Document on Authenticity.
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/nara94.htm
UNESCO World Heritage Committee. 1996. Report of the Expert Meeting on Evaluation of General
Principles and Criteria for Nominations of Natural World Heritage sites. (WHC-96/CONF.202/INF.9).
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/1996/whc-96-conf202-inf9e.htm

Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention

159

UNESCO World Heritage Committee. 2001. Global Training Strategy for World Cultural and Natural
Heritage, adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 25th session (Annex X of WHC01/CONF.208/24)- Update of the Global Training Strategy (Doc WHC-09/33.COM/10B).
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2001/whc-01-conf208-24e.pdf
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2009/whc09-33com-10Be.pdf
UNESCO World Heritage Committee. 2002. Budapest Declaration on World Heritage.
(Doc WHC-02/CONF.202/5).
http://whc/unesco.org/en/budapestdeclaration
UNESCO World Heritage Committee. 2004. Evaluation of the Global Strategy for a representative,
balanced and credible World Heritage List (1994-2004). (Doc WHC-04/28.COM/13)
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2004/whc04-28com-13e.pdf
UNESCO World Heritage Comittee. 2005. Vienna Memorandum on World Heritage and Contemporary
Architecture – Managing the Historic Urban Landscape. (Doc WHC-05/15.GA/INF.7).
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2005/whc05-15ga-inf7e.pdf
UNESCO World Heritage Committee. 2007. Strategy for Reducing Risks from Disasters at World Heritage
Properties. (Doc WHC-07/31.COM/7.2)
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2007/whc07-31com-72e.pdf
UNESCO World Heritage Committee. 2007. The “fifth C” for “Communities”. (Doc WHC07/31.COM/13B).
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2007/whc07-31com-13be.pdf
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2008. Policy Document on the Impacts of Climate Change on World
Heritage Properties. Paris, UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
http://whc.unesco.org/uploads/activities/documents/activity-397-2.pdf
UNESCO World Heritage Committee. 2010. Reflection on the Trends of the State of Conservation. (Doc
WHC-10/34.COM/7C).
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2010/whc10-34com-7Ce.pdf
UNESCO World Heritage Committee. 2011. World Heritage Convention and Sustainable Development.
(Doc WHC-11/35.COM/5E).
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2011/whc11-35com-5Ee.pdf
UNESCO World Heritage Committee. 2011. Presentation and adoption of the World Heritage strategy forcapacity building. (Doc WHC-11/35.COM/9B).
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2011/whc11-35com-9Be.pdf
UNESCO World Heritage Committee. 2012. World Heritage Tourism Programme. (Doc WHC12/36.COM/5E).
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2012/whc12-36com-5E-en.pdf
UNESCO World Heritage Committee. 2013. Revised Partnerships for Conservation (PACT) Initiative
Strategy. (Doc WHC-13/37.COM/5D).
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2013/whc13-37com-5D-en.pdf
WORLD HERITAGE RESOURCE MANUALS
http://whc.unesco.org/en/resourcemanuals/
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WORLD HERITAGE PAPER SERIES
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2002. Managing Tourism at World Heritage Sites: a Practical Manual for
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2002. Investing in World Heritage: past achievements, future ambitions.
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2003. Periodic Report Africa. Paris, UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
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Hillary, A., Kokkonen, M. and Max, L. (eds). 2003. Proceedings of the World Heritage Marine Biodiversity
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2003. Identification and Documentation of Modern Heritage. Paris,
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Fowler, P. J., (ed.), World Heritage Cultural Landscapes 1992-2002. Paris, UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2003. Cultural Landscapes: the Challenges of Conservation. Paris,
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2004. Partnerships for World Heritage Cities: Culture as a Vector for
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Stovel, H. (ed). 2004. Monitoring World Heritage, Paris, UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (World Heritage
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2004. Periodic Report and Regional Programme Arab States 2000-2003.
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2004. The State of World Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region 2003. Paris,
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de Merode, E., Smeets, R. and Westrik, C. 2004. Linking Universal and Local Values: Managing a
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2005. Caribbean Archaeology and World Heritage Convention. Paris,
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2005. World Heritage at the Vth IUCN World Parks Congress. Paris,
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2007. World Heritage Forests - Leveraging Conservation at theLandscape Level. Paris, UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (World Heritage Reports 21.)http://whc.unesco.org/en/series/21/
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2011. Navigating the Future of Marine World Heritage. Paris, UNESCOWorld Heritage Centre. (World Heritage Papers 28.)
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2011. Human Evolution: Adaptations, Dispersals and Social
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Falzon, C., Perry, J. 2014. Climate Change Adaptation for Natural World Heritage Sites. Paris, UNESCOWorld Heritage Centre. (World Heritage Papers 37.)
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National System Planning for Protected Areas, 1998
Economic Values of Protected Areas: Guidelines for Protected Area Managers, 1998
Guidelines for Marine Protected Areas, 1999
Indigenous and Traditional Peoples and Protected Areas, 2000
Financing Protected Areas: Guidelines for Protected Area Managers, 2000
Transboundary Protected Areas for Peace and Co-operation, 2001
Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas: Guidelines for Planning and Management, 2002
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Guidelines for Management Planning of Protected Areas, 2003
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Sustainable Financing of Protected Areas: A global review of challenges and options, 2006
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WEB ADDRESSESUNESCO
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre
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UNESCO World Heritage Centre publications
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UNESCO World Heritage Review
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ICOMOS
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ICOMOS publications
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IUCN
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IUCN publications
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World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) Best Practice Guidelines
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