World Heritage Convention

Or: World Heritage Convention/Convention du Patrimoine Mondial
One of UNESCO objectives is to protect the world’s natural and cultural heritage. This led in November 1972 to the ‘Convention concerning the Protection of the Cultural and Natural Heritage of the World’, popularly known as the ‘World Heritage Convention’ or the ‘Convention’. Those who wish to read the Convention in Dutch can find a Dutch version in the ‘Treaty Series’, volume 1973, no. 155. The Dutch Lower Chamber did not ratify the Convention until 1992.

(Photo right: Egypt, Abou-Simbel)

When drawing up the Convention, UNESCO held that the world has a number of outstanding natural and cultural values or qualities that are of universal significance to mankind and its history. This was based mainly on the realisation that culture and nature are unique and irreplaceable.
 
The Convention was a direct result of the construction of the Aswan Dam in Egypt, for which the more than 3000-year-old temples of Abou-Simbel had to make way – literally, because they were dismantled, removed and re-erected elsewhere before the reservoir was filled. By way of thanks for their support, Egypt presented some countries with one of the buildings as a gift. The Netherlands was granted a small temple, which is displayed in the ‘Museum van Oudheden’ (Museum of Antiquities) in Leiden.

The countries that signed the Convention have committed themselves to ‘identify, protect, preserve, make accessible and transfer to next generations’ the heritage within their borders that meets the requirements. The State Parties to the Convention recognise that protection of World Heritage is the duty of the entire international community. Implementation of the Convention rests entirely with the State Parties. An appeal is made in this respect to the legal, financial and other provisions which are available to the countries to protect their heritage. Most Western countries are able to meet this request, but occasionally they must help other countries that are not so fortunate. The World Heritage Committee can also provide support via the World Heritage Fund. This support is financed through the contributions of the State Parties. In addition to the afore-mentioned help some countries make donations (Funds-in-Trust, FIT) available for specific purposes.