The World Heritage Committee decided at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006) to suspend for two years the commencement of the next cycle of Periodic Reporting in order to ensure that necessary time is allocated to study and reflect on the first cycle and develop strategic direction, clear objectives and benchmarks for the next cycle (Decision 30 COM 11.G paragraph 5).

Following the meetings held in Berlin (10-11 November 2005) and at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (2-3 March 2006), the World Heritage Centre is organizing a third Periodic Reporting reflection meeting at UNESCO Headquarters, on 9 and 10 November 2006, as requested by the World Heritage Committee.