What is our World Heritage?
The concept of World Heritage is remarkable.
The Pyramids of Egypt, Angkor Wat, Easter, Island, Petra, Chichén Itzá…these make up our world’s heritage.
World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located. They are irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage , adopted by UNESCO in 1972.
“The mission of UNESCO’s World Heritage is to:
-Encourage countries to sign the World Heritage Convention and to ensure the protection of their natural and cultural heritage;
-Encourage States Parties to the Convention to nominate sites within their national territory for inclusion on the World Heritage List;
-Encourage States Parties to establish management plans and set up reporting systems on the state of conservation of their World Heritage sites;
-Help States Parties safeguard World Heritage properties by providing technical assistance and professional training;
-Provide emergency assistance for World Heritage sites in immediate danger;
-Support States Parties’ public awareness-building activities for World Heritage conservation;
-Encourage participation of the local population in the preservation of their cultural and natural heritage;
-Encourage international cooperation in the conservation of our world’s cultural and natural heritage.”
