ICOMOS’ work feeds the intellectual reflection on the World Heritage convention.

Since its inception, ICOMOS has been involved in the development of doctrine and in the evolution and spreading of ideas for the conservation of monuments, built ensembles and sites. Issues related to World Heritage are at the forefront of these reflections and at the heart of many of the organization's initiatives. These initiatives aim to observe and analyze the challenges behind the implementation of the World Heritage Convention and to facilitate its implementation.

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Photo : Collapsed temple in Kathmandu, Nepal © Kai Weise

States Parties can call upon ICOMOS’ expertise for issues relating to the inscription or conservation of World Heritage sites.

In addition to its advisory role in regard to the World Heritage Committee, ICOMOS provides ad hoc assistance to the signatory States of the Convention. More specifically, it can provide professional and technical assistance to solve difficulties related to the preparation of nomination dossiers or to the management of World Heritage cultural properties. Therefore, this support can be made available either before or after the inscription of a property on the World Heritage List. It can be requested by States Parties themselves or recommended by the Committee. 

Further reading: The assistance provided to States Parties by ICOMOS in detail

Photo: Advisory mission in Rijal Almaa village, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 2016 © Samar Damluji, Salma

The protection of cultural properties does not only rely on their inscription on the World Heritage List. Proper management of the sites is vital to preserving their inestimable value.

ICOMOS takes an active part in this management effort by participating in the monitoring of the state of conservation of World Heritage properties and by identifying the dangers that threaten them as well as solutions. To this end, it informs the World Heritage Committee of the most alarming situations by submitting reports on the state of conservation of a number of sites and by organizing expert missions to endangered properties. In 2015, ICOMOS contributed to the preparation of 91 state of conservation reports and organized 15 reactive monitoring missions.

Further reading: the monitoring process in detail

Photo: Mission at Forth Bridge, United Kingdom © Tara Bushe / ICOMOS

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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