Article 13 World Heritage Committee and International Assistance

Abstract

The core framework created by the 1972 World Heritage Convention ('WHC') which has rendered it innovative and successful is made up of three elements: international assistance, the World Heritage Fund ('Fund') and the World Heritage Committee ('Committee'). While the World Heritage List raises the profile of the properties in the public eye; it is the possibility of financial and technical assistance which has proved an additional incentive for states to sign-up to the Convention. The creation, maintenance and evolution of this international assistance under the Convention has only been possible through the combined effect of the Committee and the Fund.

This commentary covers Article 13, which serves as the intersection of these three defining elements of the world heritage framework. First, there is an examination of the rationale for International Assistance as it evolved from the negotiations leading up to the final text of the Convention to the recent evaluations of grants provided from 1978 to date. Second, the parameters of the Committee's power to receive requests for International Assistance are considered. Next, the Committee's power to determine the outcome of requests and to set the order of priorities of its operations is examined. Then, the requirement that the Committee maintain and publicise a list of successful grants for international assistance is outlined briefly. Fifth, the Committee's power in respect of the Fund and fund-raising is explained in context of its role in international assistance. Finally, the power of the Committee to cooperate with international and national governmental and non-governmental organisations, public and private bodies and individuals in the realisation of its programmes and projects is examined.

Keywords: World Heritage, Cultural Heritage, International Law, International Assistance

JEL Classification: K32, K33