“Other specific groups” below may for example include gender-specific groups, communities who might not visit or reside in or near properties but are still stakeholders, civil society, etc.

This question includes a large group of stakeholders and takes into account the policy provisions devised in the ‘Policy Document for the Integration of a Sustainable Development Perspective into the Processes of the World Heritage Convention’ as adopted by the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention at its 20th session (UNESCO, 2015)

The World Heritage Sustainable Development Policy (adopted in 2015) states that:

“the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage is an integral part of UNESCO’s overarching mandate to foster equitable sustainable development and to promote peace and security, and with a view to ensuring policy coherence with the UN sustainable development agenda as enshrined in the document  “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, existing international humanitarian standards and other multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), States Parties should “ensure an appropriate and equitable balance between conservation, sustainability and development, so that World Heritage properties can be protected through appropriate activities contributing to the social and economic development and the quality of life of our communities.”

Further, it states that:

“By identifying, protecting, conserving, presenting and transmitting to present and future generations irreplaceable cultural and natural heritage properties of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), the World Heritage Convention, in itself, contributes significantly to sustainable development and the well-being of people. At the same time, strengthening the three dimensions of sustainable development that are environmental sustainability, inclusive social development, and inclusive economic development, as well as the fostering of peace and security, may bring benefits to World Heritage properties and support their OUV, if carefully integrated within their conservation and management systems.”

Sustainable development sensitive conservation considers the following basic principles:

• It is equitable;
• It is inclusive;
• It reflects trans-generational thinking/planning;
• It is environmental, socially, economically and culturally sustainable and these four pillars are balanced without given predominance of one over another;
• It fosters strong communities and supports the physical and spiritual well-being of its individuals;
• It promotes dignity, mutual understanding, and peace.

World Heritage conservation that is sensitive to sustainable development:

• Has an integrated stewardship of the cultural and natural values embodied in World Heritage properties;
• Contributes to the well-being of living and future generations;
• Addresses inequalities and human rights in the preservation of bio cultural diversity;
• Aligns, as much as possible, heritage conservation goals with sustainable development objectives to harness the potential of properties to effectively contribute to Sustainable Development;
• Acts with social responsibility;
• Considers Sustainable Development objectives at an adequate scale, which may go beyond the limits of inscribed properties and their buffer zones, and is planned for accordingly;
• Promotes environmental sustainability and avoids depletion or degradation of bio cultural diversity;
• Contributes to the alleviation of poverty and enhances sustainable livelihoods;
• Promotes sustained, equitable, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and adequate standards of living;
• Empowers people, through sustained capacity building and education, to effectively and pluralistically engage with World Heritage management/conservation decision-making and practice;
• Promotes the achievement and maintenance of peace and security between and within States Parties;
• Considers World Heritage properties as prime places for the application of the highest standards for the respect and realisation of human rights;
• Ensures equal opportunities for both women and men;
• Builds resilience against the impacts of globalisation and promotes the conservation of cultural diversity through the promotion of traditional practices, livelihoods and know-how;
• Builds resilience against the impacts of climate change and promotes the conservation of natural diversity and associated ecological goods and services.