World Heritage

In an event organised by the Austrian Commission for UNESCO in cooperation with the Netherlands Commission for UNESCO, which took place during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris, the important role of National Commissions for UNESCO in the implementation of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention was demonstrated and an important impetus was given to strengthening the networking of National Commissions for UNESCO in the context of World Heritage.

The well-attended event was not only joined by representatives of National Commissions from different global regions but also by diplomats and international experts in the field of World Heritage from academia and public administration.

The event was opened by Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, who emphasised the importance of National Commissions and not only warmly welcomed this initiative, but also expressed his explicit wish to see it continue in the coming years. He specifically thanked Austria and the Netherlands for initiating this important dialogue.

The event focused on presentations of good practice examples from five European National Commissions (Belgium, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Austria), which impressively demonstrated the potential that UNESCO National Commissions can unleash by connecting different stakeholder groups, actors and thematic aspects in World Heritage – and beyond. The creation of links between different areas of UNESCO's mandate and programmes was also a focus.

The event was rounded off by statements highlighting the value of UNESCO National Commissions from the perspective of ICOMOS – as an Advisory Body to the World Heritage Committee – and of a State Party.

Prof. Teresa Patricio, President of ICOMOS, described UNESCO National Commissions as ‘perfect platforms for knowledge sharing and strategic cooperation’ and pointed out the joint and shared responsibility of all actors in implementing the World Heritage Convention.

Ruth Pröckl, Focal Point and National Coordinator for World Heritage in Austria at the Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport (BMWKMS), highlighted the close and trusting cooperation between the ministry and the Austrian Commission for UNESCO as an example of the beneficial potential of a National Commission.

The network of National Commissions for UNESCO is unique within the UN system. As coordinating platforms, they often link governmental and non-governmental actors and are important points of contact for expertise in the UNESCO context. This special role and position give them the potential to create synergies at both national and international level and to significantly support and advance the implementation of UNESCO's goals.