INDIA HOSTS HISTORIC 46TH WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE MEETING
For the first time, India hosted the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting, from 21st to 31st July, 2024.
Organized at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, this significant event marked a milestone in India's longstanding association with the World Heritage Convention, which began in 1977.
India's active participation in the World Heritage Committee, serving four terms, underscores its dedication to international cooperation and capacity-building.
In the inaugural session, in line with his vision of "Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi" Prime Minister Modi announced a $1 million grant to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
This contribution will support capacity building, technical assistance, and conservation efforts, particularly benefiting Global South countries.
India’s stance:
In the last 10 years, India has touched new dimensions of modern development, while also taking a pledge of ‘Virasat Par Garv’”.
Numerous heritage conservation projects like the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and the construction of a modern campus of the ancient Nalanda University are being undertaken across the country.
India’s efforts led to the successful inscription of 13 World Heritage Properties in the last decade, positioning India at the 6th spot globally for the most World Heritage Sites.
The 46th session of WHC witnessed the inscription of 24 new World Heritage Sites, including 19 cultural, 4 natural, and 1 mixed property.
Moidams from Assam became India's 43rd World Heritage Site, a significant achievement as it is the first cultural site from Assam to receive this recognition.
World Heritage Convention
Full Name: Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage
Adopted in 1972 at the UNESCO General Conference in Paris, France.
Came into force in 1975.
India ratified the convention in 1977.
Currently, there are 195 State Parties to the convention.
Purpose:
Global Cooperation: Promotes international collaboration to protect cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value.
Conservation Goal: Ensures the preservation of heritage for both current and future generations.
Key Objectives:
Identification: Recognize and list sites of exceptional cultural and natural significance.
Protection: Implement measures to safeguard these sites from deterioration and destruction.
Promotion: Raise awareness and appreciation of the value of global heritage.
Implementation:
World Heritage List: Designates sites that meet the criteria of outstanding universal value, which are then protected under the convention’s guidelines.
World Heritage Committee: Oversees the implementation of the convention and the management of the World Heritage List.
Significance:
Cultural and Natural Heritage: Covers both cultural sites (monuments, buildings, etc.) and natural sites (landscapes, ecosystems, etc.).
Global Impact: Encourages sustainable tourism and fosters international dialogue on heritage preservation.
World Heritage Committee
Administers the World Heritage Convention.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Acts as the secretariat for the Convention.
Technical Advisory Bodies:
IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature (advises on natural heritage).
ICOMOS: International Council on Monuments and Sites (advises on cultural heritage).
ICCROM: International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (provides expertise on conservation).
Composition:
Members: 21 members elected from among the State Parties.
Term: Members are generally elected for six years, though State Parties may choose to reduce terms to four years.
Functions:
Property Inscription: Makes decisions on adding new properties to the World Heritage List.
Implementation Oversight: Discusses matters related to the implementation of the Convention.
International Assistance: Considers requests for international assistance for heritage preservation.
Advice to State Parties: Provides guidance on fulfilling obligations to protect World Heritage properties.
World Heritage Fund: Administers the World Heritage Fund, which supports conservation efforts.
Decision Authority:
Final Authority: The Committee has the final say on whether sites or properties nominated by national governments are inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Advisory Roles: For natural heritage matters, the IUCN serves as the advisory body to the Committee.
The 46th session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting concluded with extensive discussions on conservation, international assistance, and bilateral meetings with various countries and organizations. This historic event showcased India’s rich heritage and set the stage for future global heritage conservation efforts.
