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46th World Heritage Committee session kicks off in Delhi
India announces $1 million donation to Unesco’s World Heritage Centre, which manages the conservation of 1,199 global heritage sites
“India is committed to promoting global cooperation and engaging local communities towards heritage conservation efforts,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, while inaugurating the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee on Sunday.
The session will be held from 21-31 July at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
India is hosting the committee for the first time, and ranks sixth on the list of countries with the most number of world heritage sites, with a total of 42, behind Italy, China, France, Germany, and Spain.
Minister of external affairs S Jaishankar, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (Unesco) director-general Audrey Azoulay, minister of culture and tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and World Heritage Committee chairperson Vishal Sharma were present for the inaugural session on Sunday.
India is hosting the committee for the first time, and ranks sixth on the list of countries with the most number of World Heritage Sites, with a total of 42, behind Italy, China, France, Germany, and Spain.
The session’s agenda this time, as detailed by Sharma during his address at the inauguration ceremony, includes the updation of the World Heritage List, after careful evaluation of the nominations from various countries, assessing the conservation status of properties that are already inscribed on the World Heritage List, working alongside the State Parties, as well as evaluating proposals for financial support from the World Heritage Fund to assist with the preservation of World Heritage Sites.
The prime minister also announced a $1 million donation from India to Unesco’s World Heritage Centre, which manages the conservation of 1,199 global heritage sites and selects new ones for preservation.
While highlighting India’s commitment to heritage, he also mentioned the recent return of over 350 artifacts by other countries, calling it a global gesture of generosity and respect for history.
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