United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
UNESCO is a specialized agency of the United Nations, founded in 1945, that promotes international collaboration through education, science, culture, and heritage. It coordinates the World Heritage program, providing guidance, technical support, and monitoring to safeguard cultural and natural sites of outstanding universal value. UNESCO also encourages global awareness and understanding of heritage as part of humanity’s shared legacy.
World Heritage Convention
Officially called the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972), this international treaty established the legal and institutional framework for preserving sites of exceptional importance. It defines the responsibilities of States Parties, provides mechanisms for international cooperation, and created the World Heritage List, the World Heritage Committee, and advisory bodies to oversee conservation efforts worldwide.
States Parties
States Parties are countries that have ratified the World Heritage Convention and committed to identifying, protecting, conserving, and transmitting World Heritage properties within their territory. They are responsible for preparing Tentative Lists, submitting nomination dossiers, and ensuring effective management and legal protection of inscribed sites. As of 2026, 196 States Parties have ratified the World Heritage Convention — making it one of the most widely supported international environmental and cultural treaties in the world.
World Heritage Committee
The World Heritage Committee is the decision-making body responsible for implementing the World Heritage Convention. Composed of representatives from 21 States Parties, the Committee evaluates nominations, monitors site preservation, provides technical assistance, and decides which properties are inscribed on the World Heritage List. It meets annually in July to review sites and coordinate international heritage protection efforts. The 48th session of the World Heritage Committee will be held between 19-29 July 2026 in Busan, South Korea.
Advisory Bodies
The advisory bodies are international organizations that provide expert evaluations and technical advice to the World Heritage Committee. They include the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) for cultural heritage, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for natural heritage, and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) for conservation training and capacity building. Their assessments play a key role in nomination and monitoring processes.
World Heritage Site
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area officially recognized by UNESCO for its cultural, natural, or mixed significance. These sites are selected for their “outstanding universal value” to humanity and are protected for future generations. They can range from ancient cities and historic monuments to national parks and unique ecosystems.
Outstanding Universal Value
Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) refers to the cultural and/or natural significance of a site that is so exceptional it transcends national boundaries and is important for present and future generations of all humanity. To be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List, a property must demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value, meet at least one of the inscription criteria, and satisfy conditions of integrity, authenticity, and adequate protection and management.
Criteria for Inscription
UNESCO evaluates sites based on ten criteria, ranging from representing a masterpiece of human creative genius to containing significant natural habitats or ecological processes. A site must meet at least one criterion and demonstrate integrity and authenticity to qualify for inscription. These criteria ensure that listed sites have universal value and are worth safeguarding for all humanity.
Tentative List
Before a site can be formally nominated for the World Heritage List, it must first appear on a country’s Tentative List. This list acts as a planning tool for future nominations, allowing the World Heritage Committee and advisory bodies to review potential sites systematically. It ensures nominations are well-prepared and reflect the country’s heritage priorities.
World Heritage List
The World Heritage List is the official catalogue of all designated World Heritage Sites. It includes cultural, natural, and mixed properties from across the globe and is continuously updated as new sites are inscribed. The list not only highlights extraordinary heritage but also helps prioritize conservation and raise global awareness about the importance of preserving these places.
World Heritage in Danger List
The List of World Heritage in Danger identifies World Heritage Sites facing serious and specific threats, such as armed conflict, natural disasters, uncontrolled development, or environmental degradation. Inclusion on this list aims to mobilize international attention and assistance to support corrective measures and prevent the loss of Outstanding Universal Value.