24. Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention)

Abstract

The forty-fourth session of the World Heritage Committee, held online and with an extended agenda due to the ongoing pandemic, took place on 16–31 July and was hosted by China. This report will give an overview of developments since the previous session, changes to the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger, and other key outcomes of the meeting. The World Heritage Committee reiterated its concern as to the impacts of the pandemic on World Heritage, although it made some positive observations as to certain achievements. It praised the continued efforts to enhance synergies between the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) culture conventions and requested the World Heritage Centre to further strengthen these efforts in light of various challenges, including climate change impacts (Decision 44 COM 5A). It also called on the convention parties to actively engage with the Global Biodiversity Framework, emphasizing the important role of the World Heritage Convention in protecting biodiversity.