Decision : 31 COM 18B
International Assistance
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-07/31.COM/18B,
2. Recalling Decision 30 COM 14A, adopted at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006),
3. Taking into account the recommendations contained in Document WHC-06/30.COM/14A,
4. Considers that the preference for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Low Income Economies (LIEs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and post-conflict countries apply when the funds available are limited and a selection has to be made;
5. Decides:
a) to adopt the new application form and its written guidelines presented in the above-mentioned Document, as Annexes I and II (as amended);
b) to adopt the selection criteria to be used in the evaluation of International Assistance requests by the Advisory Bodies presented in the above-mentioned Document as Annex III (as amended);
c) to dedicate 35% of the envelope foreseen for International Assistance in the World Heritage Fund budget (excluding Emergency Assistance) to natural heritage and 65% to cultural heritage;
d) to maintain a ceiling of USD 10,000 for International Assistance requests falling under items (vii) and (viii) of the Conservation & Management category in paragraph 241 of the Operational Guidelines
e) that there will be no more earmarking of funds against the different types of international assistance, except emergency assistance, beginning in the 2008-2009 biennium;
6. Also decides that requests of less than USD 5,000 will be submitted for approval by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, within the limits set out in Paragraph 241 of the Operational Guidelines, without examination by the panel;
7. Further decides that requests for Emergency Assistance of up to USD 75,000 will be submitted for approval by the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee after comments by the Advisory Bodies and without examination by the panel, provided they meet the definition established for Emergency Assistance;
8. Further decides that for requests for international assistance for the preparation of nomination dossiers, every effort will be made to recommend the use of the technical assistance of experts and to monitor the effectiveness of the international assistance in the context of future inscriptions;
9. Requests the World Heritage Centre to include in future reports on international assistance approved by the Director and the Chairperson details about the application of the selection criteria to each project;
10. Approves the modifications in the Operational Guidelines, paragraphs 233 to 257, proposed in the above-mentioned Document.
Original Decision Document