Impact assessment

The practice of impact assessment has spread around the world since the 1970s and there is a system for it in nearly every country in the world. The World Heritage Committee The main decision-making body of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , it consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties to the Convention elected for terms up to six years, but voluntarily reduced to 4 years to ensure equitable representation.The Committee meets at least once a year. It is one of the key implementing actors of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , allocates financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. and has the final say on whether a site shall be inscribed on the World Heritage List. It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed sites and decides on the inscription or removal of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.The main functions of the Convention, in cooperation with States Parties, are to:decide, on the basis of Tentative Lists and nominations submitted by States Parties, which cultural and natural properties of Outstanding Universal Value are to be inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore protected under the Convention;examine the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List through processes of Reactive Monitoring and Periodic Reporting;decide which properties inscribed on the World Heritage List are to be inscribed
on, or removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger;decide whether a property should be deleted from the World Heritage List;define the procedure by which requests for International Assistance are to be
considered and carry out studies and consultations as necessary before coming to a decision;determine how the resources of the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. can be used most advantageously to assist States Parties in the protection of their properties of Outstanding Universal Value;seek ways to increase the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. ;submit a report on its activities every two years to the General Assembly of States
Parties and to the UNESCO General Conference;review and evaluate periodically the implementation of the Convention;revise and adopt the Operational Guidelines. is increasingly requesting States Parties The countries that have ratified the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. . By ratifying the Convention, States Parties commit themselves to undertake actions directed to:identifying, knowing, protecting and promoting the cultural and natural heritage located on their territories;adopting a general policy aiming to give their cultural and natural heritage a function in the life of the community;integrating the protection of that heritage into comprehensive planning programmes;setting up services for the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage with an appropriate staff and possessing the means to carry out their functions;developing scientific and technical studies and research to counteract the dangers that threaten their cultural or natural heritage;taking the appropriate legal, scientific, technical, administrative and financial measures necessary for the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of their heritage;
• fostering the establishment or development of national or regional centres for
training in the protection, conservation and presentation of their cultural and
natural heritage;encouraging scientific research in this field.As members of the international community and while respecting the sovereignty of each State, States Parties to the Convention also recognize their duty to collectively contribute to the protection of the properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. Therefore, upon request by other States Parties to the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , they may provide their help in the identification, protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage located on the territory of those countries. Each State Party to the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. undertakes not to take any deliberate measures that might damage, directly or indirectly, the cultural and natural heritage situated on the territory of other States Parties to the Convention.States Parties identify and nominate sites on their national territory to be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List. Once inscribed, States Parties assume the primary responsibility for the protection of those properties and to do all they can to achieve this purpose. They are also requested to report periodically on the state of conservation of those properties as well as on the provisions they have adopted to implement the Convention. to carry out impact assessments in order to meet their obligations and make better informed decisions that prevent the negative impacts and the optimize positive benefits that can come from proposed actions. Impact assessments come in different forms but the two that are most commonly carried out at a heritage place are Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA):

• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA): this looks at the potential positive and negative impacts of policies, plans or programmes that could affect a heritage place. By taking a strategic overview on a large landscape scale and considering cumulative impacts, such assessments have the advantage of being proactive in considering heritage before any specific changes are being proposed. This can provide a framework when considering individual projects, developments and uses in and around World Heritage.
• Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA; also referred to as Environmental Impact Assessment or EIA): these are assessments of the potential positive and negative impacts of a specific project on the environmental and social aspects of a place, including heritage. If an assessment of a project looks largely at the potential impacts on heritage values, then it is often referred to as a Heritage Impact Assessment A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is an activity-specific or project-level assessment that is focused on identifying and assessing the potential effect of a proposed activity or project on the heritage/conservation values of a natural and/or cultural heritage place. In the context of World Heritage properties, a Heritage Impact Assessment should be particularly focused on identifying and assessing negative and positive impacts on the attributes which convey the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
  When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. .  (HIA).

In the context of any type of impact assessment, the term ‘environment’ is used in its broadest sense and includes physical, biological, social and cultural aspects of a place. So any of these assessments can be applied to natural and cultural heritage places and should consider the full range of heritage values, the attributes that convey them and the interplay between these attributes. In the context of World Heritage it is important that there is a focus on identifying and assessing negative and positive impacts on the attributes that convey the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. .

There is an advantage to using the different types of impact assessment as complementary processes. An SEA can provide a strategic framework that already includes heritage considerations, which can be applied to assess individual projects in an ESIA/HIA. For example, an SEA can help ensure that a new regional land-use plan takes heritage values into consideration, defining appropriate uses for different areas in and around a World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. . Subsequently, that land-use plan can be used to ensure that only suitable projects are proposed for each area and ESIA/HIAs can then assess those individual project proposals to ensure they are aligned. Such an approach is also useful for reducing the number of individual ESIAs/HIAs and or understanding the cumulative impacts of multiple projects within and around the same heritage place.

There are a range of factors that can affect a heritage place, many of which are planned in advance, such as creating infrastructure or buildings, new forms of biological resource use or new activities that create pollution. Impact assessment Impact assessment is the process of identifying, predicting and evaluating the potential environmental impacts of proposed actions prior to major approval decisions being taken and commitments made. It is undertaken for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating adverse impacts and enhancing beneficial impacts. More generally, impact assessment can be appreciated as a way of thinking and planning that can be applied to all scales of activity. Impact assessment can be applied to development proposals at various levels – projects, plans, programmes and policies.

See also: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Heritage Impact Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment is a methodology that helps inform decision-making at places where there is a proposed action with potential impacts that can be evaluated in advance. By ensuring that an impact assessment fully takes into consideration OUV and other heritage values, it can help improve planning, as well as inform good decision-making about whether a proposed action should take place or not. Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines requests that the World Heritage Committee The main decision-making body of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , it consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties to the Convention elected for terms up to six years, but voluntarily reduced to 4 years to ensure equitable representation.The Committee meets at least once a year. It is one of the key implementing actors of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , allocates financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. and has the final say on whether a site shall be inscribed on the World Heritage List. It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed sites and decides on the inscription or removal of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.The main functions of the Convention, in cooperation with States Parties, are to:decide, on the basis of Tentative Lists and nominations submitted by States Parties, which cultural and natural properties of Outstanding Universal Value are to be inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore protected under the Convention;examine the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List through processes of Reactive Monitoring and Periodic Reporting;decide which properties inscribed on the World Heritage List are to be inscribed
on, or removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger;decide whether a property should be deleted from the World Heritage List;define the procedure by which requests for International Assistance are to be
considered and carry out studies and consultations as necessary before coming to a decision;determine how the resources of the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. can be used most advantageously to assist States Parties in the protection of their properties of Outstanding Universal Value;seek ways to increase the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. ;submit a report on its activities every two years to the General Assembly of States
Parties and to the UNESCO General Conference;review and evaluate periodically the implementation of the Convention;revise and adopt the Operational Guidelines. be notified in advance of any significant project that might affect a World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. before any irreversible decisions or actions are taken. Impact assessments are mandatory for World Heritage (Operational Guidelines, paragraph 118bis) and support States Parties The countries that have ratified the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. . By ratifying the Convention, States Parties commit themselves to undertake actions directed to:identifying, knowing, protecting and promoting the cultural and natural heritage located on their territories;adopting a general policy aiming to give their cultural and natural heritage a function in the life of the community;integrating the protection of that heritage into comprehensive planning programmes;setting up services for the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage with an appropriate staff and possessing the means to carry out their functions;developing scientific and technical studies and research to counteract the dangers that threaten their cultural or natural heritage;taking the appropriate legal, scientific, technical, administrative and financial measures necessary for the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of their heritage;
• fostering the establishment or development of national or regional centres for
training in the protection, conservation and presentation of their cultural and
natural heritage;encouraging scientific research in this field.As members of the international community and while respecting the sovereignty of each State, States Parties to the Convention also recognize their duty to collectively contribute to the protection of the properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. Therefore, upon request by other States Parties to the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , they may provide their help in the identification, protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage located on the territory of those countries. Each State Party to the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. undertakes not to take any deliberate measures that might damage, directly or indirectly, the cultural and natural heritage situated on the territory of other States Parties to the Convention.States Parties identify and nominate sites on their national territory to be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List. Once inscribed, States Parties assume the primary responsibility for the protection of those properties and to do all they can to achieve this purpose. They are also requested to report periodically on the state of conservation of those properties as well as on the provisions they have adopted to implement the Convention. in meeting their obligations under the Convention, reassuring the Committee that there will be no negative impacts on the OUV.

It is important that impact assessment takes a holistic approach to World Heritage and benefits from applying a heritage place approach. Impact assessment Impact assessment is the process of identifying, predicting and evaluating the potential environmental impacts of proposed actions prior to major approval decisions being taken and commitments made. It is undertaken for the purpose of avoiding or mitigating adverse impacts and enhancing beneficial impacts. More generally, impact assessment can be appreciated as a way of thinking and planning that can be applied to all scales of activity. Impact assessment can be applied to development proposals at various levels – projects, plans, programmes and policies.

See also: Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Heritage Impact Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment needs to consider the type, size and characteristics of the proposed action, the sensitivity of the receiving environment and the types of likely impacts. Since World Heritage properties are of international importance, impact assessment is required not only for large development projects, but also for any proposed action that may affect the property’s OUV, regardless of that action›s size or location within the property, the buffer zone or wider setting. Individual cases of smaller proposed actions may not require standalone impact assessment but may need to be checked collectively as a series of actions to identify indirect and cumulative impacts on a property.

The current state of the World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. , its OUV and attributes, constitutes the baseline of impact assessment, which should compare the future of the World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. with and without the proposed action. The baseline can also be used as a reference point to monitor the situation during and after implementation of action, to ensure the heritage is protected.

Analysis of the management system of the heritage place is needed for impact assessment. The consistency of the proposed action with existing policies and legislation – national, regional and local policies and land-use plans relating to heritage and the attributes that support the World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. ’s OUV – needs to be reviewed. This allows a critical understanding not only of how the proposed action might affect the management system, but also the capacity of that management system to implement any proposed mitigation measures and monitor the actions implementation. Any previous Advisory or Reactive Monitoring mission Technical visits to threatened World Heritage properties aiming to ascertain their conditions. These missions are part of the statutory reporting by the Secretariat and the Advisory Bodies on the state of conservation of specific properties that are under threat (Reactive Monitoring process).They are requested by the World Heritage Committee The main decision-making body of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , it consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties to the Convention elected for terms up to six years, but voluntarily reduced to 4 years to ensure equitable representation.The Committee meets at least once a year. It is one of the key implementing actors of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , allocates financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. and has the final say on whether a site shall be inscribed on the World Heritage List. It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed sites and decides on the inscription or removal of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.The main functions of the Convention, in cooperation with States Parties, are to:decide, on the basis of Tentative Lists and nominations submitted by States Parties, which cultural and natural properties of Outstanding Universal Value are to be inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore protected under the Convention;examine the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List through processes of Reactive Monitoring and Periodic Reporting;decide which properties inscribed on the World Heritage List are to be inscribed
on, or removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger;decide whether a property should be deleted from the World Heritage List;define the procedure by which requests for International Assistance are to be
considered and carry out studies and consultations as necessary before coming to a decision;determine how the resources of the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. can be used most advantageously to assist States Parties in the protection of their properties of Outstanding Universal Value;seek ways to increase the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. ;submit a report on its activities every two years to the General Assembly of States
Parties and to the UNESCO General Conference;review and evaluate periodically the implementation of the Convention;revise and adopt the Operational Guidelines. 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 made in implementing such corrective measures, and include reporting back to the Committee on the findings of the mission).The terms of reference of Reactive Monitoring missions are proposed by the World Heritage Centre The UNESCO World Heritage Centre is a technical administrative body within UNESCO, established in 1992 and appointed by the Director-General of UNESCO. It acts as the Secretariat of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , is the focal point and coordinator within UNESCO for all matters related to World Heritage, and ensures the day-to-day management of the Convention.The main tasks of the World Heritage Centre are:the organization of the meetings of the General Assembly and the Committee;the implementation of decisions of the World Heritage Committee The main decision-making body of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , it consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties to the Convention elected for terms up to six years, but voluntarily reduced to 4 years to ensure equitable representation.The Committee meets at least once a year. It is one of the key implementing actors of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , allocates financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. and has the final say on whether a site shall be inscribed on the World Heritage List. It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed sites and decides on the inscription or removal of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.The main functions of the Convention, in cooperation with States Parties, are to:decide, on the basis of Tentative Lists and nominations submitted by States Parties, which cultural and natural properties of Outstanding Universal Value are to be inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore protected under the Convention;examine the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List through processes of Reactive Monitoring and Periodic Reporting;decide which properties inscribed on the World Heritage List are to be inscribed
on, or removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger;decide whether a property should be deleted from the World Heritage List;define the procedure by which requests for International Assistance are to be
considered and carry out studies and consultations as necessary before coming to a decision;determine how the resources of the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. can be used most advantageously to assist States Parties in the protection of their properties of Outstanding Universal Value;seek ways to increase the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. ;submit a report on its activities every two years to the General Assembly of States
Parties and to the UNESCO General Conference;review and evaluate periodically the implementation of the Convention;revise and adopt the Operational Guidelines. and resolutions of the General Assembly and reporting to them on their execution;the receipt, registration, checking the completeness, archiving and transmission to the relevant Advisory Bodies of nominations to the World Heritage List;the coordination of studies and activities as part of the Global Strategy for a Representative, Balanced and Credible World Heritage List;the organization of Periodic Reporting and coordination of Reactive Monitoring;the coordination of International Assistance;the mobilization of extra-budgetary resources for the conservation and management of World Heritage properties;the assistance to States Parties in the implementation of the Committee›s
programmes and projects;the promotion of World Heritage and the Convention through the dissemination of
information to States Parties, the Advisory Bodies and the general public. , in line with the decision adopted by the World Heritage Committee The main decision-making body of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , it consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties to the Convention elected for terms up to six years, but voluntarily reduced to 4 years to ensure equitable representation.The Committee meets at least once a year. It is one of the key implementing actors of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , allocates financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. and has the final say on whether a site shall be inscribed on the World Heritage List. It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed sites and decides on the inscription or removal of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.The main functions of the Convention, in cooperation with States Parties, are to:decide, on the basis of Tentative Lists and nominations submitted by States Parties, which cultural and natural properties of Outstanding Universal Value are to be inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore protected under the Convention;examine the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List through processes of Reactive Monitoring and Periodic Reporting;decide which properties inscribed on the World Heritage List are to be inscribed
on, or removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger;decide whether a property should be deleted from the World Heritage List;define the procedure by which requests for International Assistance are to be
considered and carry out studies and consultations as necessary before coming to a decision;determine how the resources of the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. can be used most advantageously to assist States Parties in the protection of their properties of Outstanding Universal Value;seek ways to increase the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. ;submit a report on its activities every two years to the General Assembly of States
Parties and to the UNESCO General Conference;review and evaluate periodically the implementation of the Convention;revise and adopt the Operational Guidelines. and consolidated in consultation with the State Party and the relevant Advisory Body(ies). Reactive Monitoring missions are usually jointly carried out by the World Heritage Centre The UNESCO World Heritage Centre is a technical administrative body within UNESCO, established in 1992 and appointed by the Director-General of UNESCO. It acts as the Secretariat of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , is the focal point and coordinator within UNESCO for all matters related to World Heritage, and ensures the day-to-day management of the Convention.The main tasks of the World Heritage Centre are:the organization of the meetings of the General Assembly and the Committee;the implementation of decisions of the World Heritage Committee The main decision-making body of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , it consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties to the Convention elected for terms up to six years, but voluntarily reduced to 4 years to ensure equitable representation.The Committee meets at least once a year. It is one of the key implementing actors of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , allocates financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. and has the final say on whether a site shall be inscribed on the World Heritage List. It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed sites and decides on the inscription or removal of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.The main functions of the Convention, in cooperation with States Parties, are to:decide, on the basis of Tentative Lists and nominations submitted by States Parties, which cultural and natural properties of Outstanding Universal Value are to be inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore protected under the Convention;examine the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List through processes of Reactive Monitoring and Periodic Reporting;decide which properties inscribed on the World Heritage List are to be inscribed
on, or removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger;decide whether a property should be deleted from the World Heritage List;define the procedure by which requests for International Assistance are to be
considered and carry out studies and consultations as necessary before coming to a decision;determine how the resources of the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. can be used most advantageously to assist States Parties in the protection of their properties of Outstanding Universal Value;seek ways to increase the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. ;submit a report on its activities every two years to the General Assembly of States
Parties and to the UNESCO General Conference;review and evaluate periodically the implementation of the Convention;revise and adopt the Operational Guidelines. and resolutions of the General Assembly and reporting to them on their execution;the receipt, registration, checking the completeness, archiving and transmission to the relevant Advisory Bodies of nominations to the World Heritage List;the coordination of studies and activities as part of the Global Strategy for a Representative, Balanced and Credible World Heritage List;the organization of Periodic Reporting and coordination of Reactive Monitoring;the coordination of International Assistance;the mobilization of extra-budgetary resources for the conservation and management of World Heritage properties;the assistance to States Parties in the implementation of the Committee›s
programmes and projects;the promotion of World Heritage and the Convention through the dissemination of
information to States Parties, the Advisory Bodies and the general public. and the Advisory Bodies in consultation with the State Party concerned. Experts for such missions shall not be nationals of the country where the property is located. It is, however, encouraged that, where possible, they be from the same region as the property. The costs of the Reactive Monitoring missions are borne by the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. .The report of the mission, compiled jointly by the Secretariat and the Advisory Body(ies), will be presented to the Committee along with the State of Conservation
report. This report shall include:an indication of threats or significant improvement in the conservation of the property since the last report to the World Heritage Committee The main decision-making body of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , it consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties to the Convention elected for terms up to six years, but voluntarily reduced to 4 years to ensure equitable representation.The Committee meets at least once a year. It is one of the key implementing actors of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , allocates financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. and has the final say on whether a site shall be inscribed on the World Heritage List. It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed sites and decides on the inscription or removal of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.The main functions of the Convention, in cooperation with States Parties, are to:decide, on the basis of Tentative Lists and nominations submitted by States Parties, which cultural and natural properties of Outstanding Universal Value are to be inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore protected under the Convention;examine the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List through processes of Reactive Monitoring and Periodic Reporting;decide which properties inscribed on the World Heritage List are to be inscribed
on, or removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger;decide whether a property should be deleted from the World Heritage List;define the procedure by which requests for International Assistance are to be
considered and carry out studies and consultations as necessary before coming to a decision;determine how the resources of the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. can be used most advantageously to assist States Parties in the protection of their properties of Outstanding Universal Value;seek ways to increase the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. ;submit a report on its activities every two years to the General Assembly of States
Parties and to the UNESCO General Conference;review and evaluate periodically the implementation of the Convention;revise and adopt the Operational Guidelines. ;any follow-up to previous decisions of the World Heritage Committee The main decision-making body of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , it consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties to the Convention elected for terms up to six years, but voluntarily reduced to 4 years to ensure equitable representation.The Committee meets at least once a year. It is one of the key implementing actors of the World Heritage Convention The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1972 that defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List for their Outstanding Universal Value for all humankind. Commonly known as the World Heritage Convention, it establishes how the international community as a whole is responsible for
the protection of such heritage and sets out the duties of States Parties in identifying potential sites that may be eligible for inscription onto the World Heritage List and their role in protecting and preserving them. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not only the sites situated on its territory that have been recognized as being of Outstanding Universal Value, but also to protect its national heritage and to be involved in international efforts to protect, conserve and promote the heritage of humankind. , allocates financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. and has the final say on whether a site shall be inscribed on the World Heritage List. It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed sites and decides on the inscription or removal of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.The main functions of the Convention, in cooperation with States Parties, are to:decide, on the basis of Tentative Lists and nominations submitted by States Parties, which cultural and natural properties of Outstanding Universal Value are to be inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore protected under the Convention;examine the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List through processes of Reactive Monitoring and Periodic Reporting;decide which properties inscribed on the World Heritage List are to be inscribed
on, or removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger;decide whether a property should be deleted from the World Heritage List;define the procedure by which requests for International Assistance are to be
considered and carry out studies and consultations as necessary before coming to a decision;determine how the resources of the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. can be used most advantageously to assist States Parties in the protection of their properties of Outstanding Universal Value;seek ways to increase the World Heritage Fund A trust fund established according to article 15 of the World Heritage Convention in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO to assist in the protection of properties forming part of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value.The Fund for the Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, commonly known as World Heritage Fund, consists of compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to the Convention, and any other resources authorized by the Fund’s regulations. These include resources received from UNESCO, UN organisations, public or private bodies or individuals, funds raised for the benefit of the Fund, any other source acceptable to the World Heritage Committee. The Fund may be used for purposes defined by the World Heritage Committee and may include studies, provision of expertise and skilled labour, training activities, low-interest or interest- free loans or, in exceptional cases and for special reasons of non- repayable subsidies for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage. ;submit a report on its activities every two years to the General Assembly of States
Parties and to the UNESCO General Conference;review and evaluate periodically the implementation of the Convention;revise and adopt the Operational Guidelines. on the state
of conservation of the property;information on any threat or damage to or loss of Outstanding Universal Value, integrity and/or authenticity for which the property was inscribed on the World
Heritage List. reports and impact assessments related to the World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. should also be reviewed to understand any key management concerns.

If there are any SEAs that were previously prepared for plans and policies that set the context for the proposed action, these can help identify: strategic-level alternatives and why they have been eliminated or chosen; expected mitigation measures; reasons why previous actions have been permitted or refused; and cumulative impacts that could be exacerbated or reduced by the proposed action.

Throughout the entire impact assessment process, the aspects of participation and proactive problem-solving are crucial. It is important that rights-holders, local or other associated communities, managers and any relevant stakeholders are included appropriately through a range of engagement methods that can be used throughout the assessment. The process of impact assessment is an opportunity to consider a proposed action in advance and think creatively about whether it seems appropriate to the heritage place and if it has any potential contribution to sustainable development. A proactive and innovative problem-solving approach can help think ‘outside the box’ to identify alternatives that might be better for avoiding negative impacts while also gaining positive impacts. The more participatory the impact assessment process, the more likely that successful problem-solving takes place. These need to be based on the governance arrangements of the heritage place, through different legal frameworks and analysis of actors.

Carrying out an impact assessment is generally easier and more effective where there is a robust management system with effective governance measures – data collection is more straightforward, public input is more easily facilitated and impacts are easier to monitor and manage. However, even if a World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. does not have a well-functioning management system, impact assessment can help to improve proposed actions. For example, the baseline information collected through the impact assessment process can be used for other management purposes; it can act as a catalyst for stakeholders to come together and promote more participatory decision-making; and it can help to
define what type of proposed actions are appropriate for the World Heritage property A cultural, natural or mixed heritage place inscribed on the World Heritage List and therefore considered to be of OUV for humanity. The responsibility for nominating a property to the World Heritage List falls upon the State(s) Party(ies) where it is located. The World Heritage Committee decides whether a property should be inscribed on the World Heritage List, taking into account the technical recommendations of the Advisory Bodies following rigorous evaluation processes.
When used as a general term, World Heritage refers to all the natural, cultural and mixed properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. .

For World Heritage All inherited assets that people value for reasons beyond mere utility. Heritage is a broad concept and includes shared legacies from the natural environment, the creations of humans and the creations and interactions of humans and nature. It encompasses built, terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments, landscapes and seascapes, biodiversity, geodiversity, collections, cultural practices, knowledge, living experiences, etc. properties and other heritage places facing increasing pressure from diverse types of development projects within and around the sites, assessing the impacts of such projects, before deciding to proceed with their implementation, is essential to prevent damage to World Heritage All inherited assets that people value for reasons beyond mere utility. Heritage is a broad concept and includes shared legacies from the natural environment, the creations of humans and the creations and interactions of humans and nature. It encompasses built, terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments, landscapes and seascapes, biodiversity, geodiversity, collections, cultural practices, knowledge, living experiences, etc. and identify sustainable options.

The Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context is the reference that explains the process with practical tips and tools, including checklists and a glossary. It provides a framework for conducting impact assessments for both cultural and natural heritage sites. The Guidance fosters cross-sectoral, multidisciplinary collaboration to identify solutions for both protecting World Heritage All inherited assets that people value for reasons beyond mere utility. Heritage is a broad concept and includes shared legacies from the natural environment, the creations of humans and the creations and interactions of humans and nature. It encompasses built, terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments, landscapes and seascapes, biodiversity, geodiversity, collections, cultural practices, knowledge, living experiences, etc. sites and supporting good quality and appropriate development.