The race to become a World Heritage site

AFP
July 8, 2006

"Our experts have recommended 14 sites to be included on the World Heritage list, but this does not mean that only these sites will be included," Ina Marciulionyte, chairwoman of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, told a press briefing on the eve of the opening of the committee's 30th session.

"Four countries have withdrawn their nominations," she added, but refused to specify either the sites that have passed the first hurdle and been approved, or those that have been withdrawn.

UNESCO officials are due to examine cultural, or man-made, sites; natural sites and so-called mixed sites from 30 countries around the world which have been nominated for inclusion on the World Heritage list, when they meet in the Lithuanian capital from Saturday until July 16.

Although the UN's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation does not officially publish its list of heritage candidates, to avoid "politicising the debate", some of the nominated sites have already been announced.

These include the archaeological site of Bisotoun near Kermanshah in western Iran, which is home to temples and monuments spanning more than 1,000 years.

The southern French region of Causses-Cevennes -- which combines spectacular scenery with a rich heritage of mediaeval Templar ruins and is home to the famed Roquefort blue cheese -- has officially declared its candidacy.

The list of countries that have proposed sites is Austria, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Britain, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Oman, Poland, Senegal, Spain, Syria and Tanzania.

"Some half or two thirds of the nominations may be included in the final list," Marciulionyte said.

"It will be hard and long work to decide which ones. We do not have room for mistakes," she added.

The World Heritage Committee will also decide this month whether to extend the area of four existing sites in Finland, Nepal, Serbia and Sweden.

It will also examine the 34 sites currently on the List of World Heritage in Danger, which includes the minaret and archaelogical vestiges of Jam in Afghanistan, Cologne cathedral in Germany and Garmba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

UNESCO's World Heritage List, created in 1972, includes some 812 sites around the world -- from the Giza pyramids in Egypt to the Great Wall of China. The sites are based in 137 countries; 628 of them are cultural, 160 natural and 24 mixed.

Endowed with a four-million-dollar budget, the UN body can give assistance and training to help countries protect and manage their listed heritage sites, and can provide emergency assistance for sites in immediate danger.