India Hosts UNESCO World Heritage Committee's 46th Session

Event Overview and Significance

• 46th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in New Delhi, July 21-31, 2024
• Venue: Bharat Mandapam
• Over 2,500 delegates from 195 countries expected to attend
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to inaugurate
• Showcases India's commitment to cultural diplomacy and heritage preservation
• Opportunity for India to highlight its 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The World Heritage Committee: Role and Composition

• Established by the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention
• 21 elected States Parties form the committee
• Current members include Argentina, Belgium, India, Japan, Kenya, and Ukraine
• Last Rules of Procedure update: 39th session in Bonn, Germany (2015)

Key responsibilities:

• • Implement the World Heritage Convention
  • Decide on new World Heritage List inscriptions
  • Manage the World Heritage Fund

UNESCO Heritage Sites in India

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Major Countries

India’s oldest & Newest UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

The oldest sites in India were inscribed in 1983: Agra Fort, Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, and Taj Mahal.

The Newest sites in India were inscribed in 2023: Santiniketan and Hoysala Temple

World's oldest UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

The oldest site on the UNESCO World Heritage List is the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, inscribed in 1978.

Facts about UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

1. There are 1,199 World Heritage Sites in 168 countries as of April 2024—933 cultural, 227 natural, and 39 mixed cultural and natural heritage sites.
2. Italy has the most World Heritage Sites with 59, followed by China with 57.
3. The World Heritage List was established by the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.
4. Sites can be added to the List of World Heritage in Danger if they face serious threats.
5. To be included on the World Heritage List, sites must be of "outstanding universal value" and meet at least one of ten selection criteria.
6. The World Heritage Committee meets once a year to decide which sites will be added to the World Heritage List.
7. Countries that ratify the World Heritage Convention pledge to protect their natural and cultural heritage.

Expected Agenda and Global Significance

• Review of existing World Heritage Sites' conservation status
• Consideration of new site nominations
• Allocation of funds for conservation projects
• Policy discussions on heritage preservation challenges
• Post-pandemic context adds importance to discussions

Key topics likely to be addressed:

• • Climate change impacts on heritage sites
  • Digital preservation and virtual access
  • Sustainable tourism at World Heritage Sites
  • Local community involvement in preservation efforts

India's Role and Opportunities

• Hosting demonstrates India's leadership in cultural affairs
• Chance to showcase India's rich cultural and natural heritage
• Recent addition: Santiniketan as India's 41st World Heritage Site (September 2023)

Potential benefits:

• • Strengthened diplomatic soft power
  • Boost to heritage tourism
  • Knowledge exchange on conservation practices

The conference may have advantages for India that go beyond the direct field of cultural conservation. It has the potential to increase heritage tourism, bolster India's soft power diplomacy, and promote important knowledge sharing on conservation practices.