Independent review of the performance of the Committee

A UNESCO audit has identified key areas for improvement in the functioning of the World Heritage Committee. However, critical areas identified for action in the audit have not yet been implemented.

ARCS is suggesting that in addition to examining the recommendations of the UNESCO audit, a small expert group could examine some of the most problematic decisions of the WH Committee and explore avenues for formal complaint and/or formal review of those decisions. A formal the review could identify and analyze the impact of:

• The trend to increasingly ignore the formal, expert advice of Advisory Bodies;


• Disjunctions between the decisions taken by the WH Committee and the intent of the Convention;


• Shifts in interpretation of the World Heritage Operational Guidelines;


• Changes to the Operational guidelines likely to impact on management and protection of natural World Heritage Sites;


• The treatment of conflicts of interest; and


• The adequacy of the rules of procedure in relation to conflicts of interest and the role of the Chair.