Editorial note

The Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted under the auspices of UNESCO. It applies to ‘cultural heritage’ and ‘natural heritage’ which is of ‘outstanding universal value’ from several points of view (Articles 1 and 2), as defined by reference to, inter alia, conservation (Article 2). The Convention places the primary duty upon each State Party to ‘do all it can’ to identify, protect, present and transmit the natural and cultural heritage to future generations (Article 4). Each Party is required to endeavour to include in its planning the protection of their cultural and natural heritage and to take appropriate measures to protect, conserve and rehabilitate this heritage (Article 5). The Convention further places on the international community as a whole the duty to co-operate in the protection of such heritage, and, accordingly, Parties undertake to provide assistance in the identification, protection, conservation and preservation of cultural and natural heritage when so requested (Article 6).

The Convention establishes a World Heritage Committee within UNESCO, composed of a limited number of experts elected by the Parties meeting in General Assembly (Article 8). On the basis of information submitted by Parties, the definitions of cultural and natural heritage and its own criteria, the Committee is to establish two lists: the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger (Article 11). The Committee receives requests for international assistance from Parties for the protection, conservation, presentation or rehabilitation of their cultural and natural heritage, and decides on how the World Heritage Fund is to disburse funds (Article 13).