At its 19th session (UNECO, 2014), the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention decided (Resolution 19 GA 4, paragraphs 7 et 8) to establish an Open-Ended Working Group to make proposals to amend the Rules of Procedures of the General Assembly in order to achieve the goal of an equitable geographical and cultural representation, including through allocation of seats by region (defined with reference to UNESCO’s electoral groups) on the World Heritage Committee, as well as other measures. This Open-Ended Working Group met on 3 occasions in 2014, at UNESCO Headquarters.

As per Resolution 19 GA 4 (paragraph 9), the final proposals of the Open-Ended working group will be presented to and examined by the 1st extraordinary session of the General Assembly.