World Heritage in Danger

World Heritage Conservation is an ongoing process. Including a site on the List would be for nothing if the site is deteriorated or if some human intervention would destroy the qualities and characteristics that have justified their inclusion on the World Heritage List.

The Heritage credibility comes from a periodic monitoring of each site, through country reports on the state of the sites. In addition, there are measures to preserve them and also efforts to increase knowledge and therefore the public interest in cultural and natural heritage.

If there is any natural disaster on the property or on the World Heritage site, such as earthquake, flood or damage caused by armed conflict, the World Heritage Fund can be required. An International Campaign to finance and support the rescue of the heritage that has been hit is then created. This heritage is included on the List of Cultural or Natural Heritage in Danger.

Likewise, if a State Party does not meet the obligations listed on the Convention, it runs the risk that non-governmental organizations, civil associations and other groups warn the World Heritage Committee about the possible dangers to the sites. In this case, if the alert is justified and the problem is quite serious, the site will also be included on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

This list is intended to draw world attention to the factors that threaten the characteristics of properties which are inscribed on the list. The sites from this list deserve special attention and are the subject of urgent action in each country.

Underwater Cultural Heritage: consists of archaeological sites underwater that encompass the vestiges of the cultural character, historical or archaeological of human existence submerged for at least 100 years. Recognizing the urgent need to preserve and protect such heritage, UNESCO drafted the Convention for the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage in 2001.