Photo: IUCN © Yichuan Shi
The World Heritage Committee is the governing body on World Heritage and meets every year
The intergovermental World Heritage Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties.
IUCN is the Advisory Body on nature to the World Heritage Committee. Ahead of the annual session of the Committee, IUCN submits its recommendations regarding the inscription of new sites following a rigorous evaluation process through which it works with members on the ground, scientific experts, independent feedback and desk reviews. IUCN also submits state of conservation reports for sites under threat, including sites inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger or that it considers should be.
The Committee has the final say on whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List, and can also defer its decision and request further information from the States Parties. The Committee examines reports on the state of conservation of listed sites and asks States Parties to take action when these are facing major threats or are not being adequately managed. It also decides on inscriptions or deletions on the List in Danger.
