Third meeting of Open-Ended Working Group

At its 19th session (UNESCO, 2013), the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention decided (Resolution 19 GA 4) to fully apply Article 8, paragraph 2, of the World Heritage Convention which stipulates that “Election of members of the Committee shall ensure an equitable representation of the different regions and cultures of the world". 

In this regard, the General Assembly, decided to establish an Open-Ended Working Group of limited duration of one year with an equitable participation of all regions, which would meet in Paris, with extrabudgetary resources.

This Open-Ended Working Group will make proposals to amend the Rules of Procedures 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.

A first meeting of this Open-Ended Working Group was held on 23-24 January 2014 (see Chairperson's Summary below  -  more details and background information available here). 

A second meeting of this Open-Ended Working Group was held on 20-21 March 2014 (see Chairperson's Summary below  -  more details and background information available here).