[text currently under revision]

Sites which are annually inscribed on the World Heritage List are subject to rigorous selection. It is ICOMOS' mission as an advisory body for UNESCO to evaluate all cultural and mixed (possessing both cultural and natural features) properties nominated by States Parties each year.

In this regard, ICOMOS is responsible for determining whether the properties carry Outstanding Universal Value. The sites must meet the criteria and conditions of authenticity and integrity defined by UNESCO, and must be provided with adequate legal protection and good management systems. Following this evaluation, ICOMOS presents its recommendations to the annual session of the World Heritage Committee. The Committee is then responsible for the final decision regarding the listing of the properties.

Further Reading: The evaluation process in detail

Photo: Presentation of the Forth Bridge (UK) nomination at the 2015 World Heritage Committee session in Bonn, Germany. © ICOMOS

ICOMOS provides scientific and professional expertise to the World Heritage Committee on cultural heritage issues.

Evaluation ICOMOS evaluates the cultural properties nominated for inscription on the World Heritage List. Read more

Monitoring ICOMOS participates in monitoring the state of conservation of cultural properties inscribed on the World Heritage List. Read more

Advisory services ICOMOS gives advice to States Parties on matters related to the inscription or to the management of World Heritage cultural properties. Read more

Reflection ICOMOS participates in the intellectual development of the Convention through various events, projects and publications. Read more

Photo: Classical Gardens of Suzhou, China © Ronan Le Roscoet/ICOMOS

UNESCO World Heritage Convention

Year of adoption of the World Heritage Convention : 1972
Properties on the World Heritage List : 1157 (as of January 2023)
Cultural properties on the List : 900 (as of January 2023)
Natural properties on the List : 218 (as of January 2023)
Mixed properties on the List : 39 (as of January 2023)
Properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger : 55 (as of January 2023)
States Parties to the Convention : 194
States Parties on the World Heritage Committee : 21
Last revision of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention : 2021
World Heritage Fund : 5,9 millions $US/year (for the biennium 2022-2023)

ICOMOS

Year of creation : 1965
Individual members : 9500 (in 151 countries)
Institutional members : 265
National committees : 113
International Scientific Committees : 30

World Heritage Missions

Reactive monitoring missions: 7 (June 2023)
Advisory missions: 6 (June 2023)
Evaluation of nominated properties : 55 discussed at the 44th extended session of the World Heritage Committee, Fuzhou (July 2021)
State of conservation reports (SOC) : 104 (June 2023)

Photo : Archaeological site of Sabratha, Libya © Gordontour / Flickr