保護世界文化和自然遺產公約

多語譯本均摘（編）自UNESCO。

聯合國教育、科學及文化組織大會於1972年10月17日至11月21日在巴黎舉行的第十七屆會議，

注意到文化遺產和自然遺產越來越受到破壞的威脅，一方面因年久腐變所致，同時變化中的社會和經濟條件使情況惡化，造成更加難以對付的損害或破壞現象；

考慮到任何文化或自然遺產的壞變或丟失都有使全世界遺產枯竭的有害影響；

考慮到國家一級保護這類遺產的工作往往不很完善，原因在於這項工作需要大量手段而列為保護物件的財產的所在國卻不具備充足的經濟、科學和技術力量；

回顧本組織《組織法》規定，本組織將通過保存和維護世界遺產和建議有關國家訂立必要的國際公約來維護、增進和傳播知識；

考慮到現有關於文化和自然遺產的國際公約、建議和決議表明，保護不論屬於哪國人民的這類罕見且無法替代的財產，對全世界人民都很重要；

考慮到部分文化或自然遺產具有突出的重要性，因而需作為全人類世界遺產的一部分加以保護；

考慮到鑒於威脅這類遺產的新危險的規模和嚴重性，整個國際社會有責任通過提供集體性援助來參與保護具有突出的普遍價值的文化和自然遺產；這種援助儘管不能代替有關國家採取的行動，但將成為它的有效補充；

考慮到為此有必要通過採用公約形式的新規定，以便為集體保護具有突出的普遍價值的文化和自然遺產建立一個根據現代科學方法制定的永久性的有效制度；

在大會第十六屆會議上，曾決定應就此問題制訂一項國際公約，於1972年11月16日通過本公約。

Ⅰ. 文化和自然遺產的定義

第1條

在本公約中，以下各項為「文化遺產」：

• 文物：從歷史、藝術或科學角度看具有突出的普遍價值的建築物、碑雕和碑畫、具有考古性質成份或結構、銘文、窟洞以及聯合體；
• 建築群：從歷史、藝術或科學角度看在建築式樣、分布均勻或與環境景色結合方面具有突出的普遍價值的單立或連接的建築群；
• 遺址：從歷史、審美、人種學或人類學角度看具有突出的普遍價值的人類工程或自然與人聯合工程以及考古位址等地方。

第2條

在本公約中，以下各項為「自然遺產」：

• 從審美或科學角度看具有突出的普遍價值的由物質和生物結構或這類結構群組成的自然面貌；從科學或保護角度看具有突出的普遍價值的地質和自然地理結構以及明確劃為受威脅的動物和植物生境區；
• 從科學、保護或自然美角度看具有突出的普遍價值的天然名勝或明確劃分的自然區域。

第3條

本公約締約國均可自行確定和劃分上面第1條和第2條中提及的、本國領土內的文化和自然財產。

Ⅱ. 文化和自然遺產的國家保護和國際保護

第4條

本公約締約國均承認，保證第1條和第2條中提及的、本國領土內的文化和自然遺產的確定、保護、保存、展出和遺傳後代，主要是有關國家的責任。該國將為此目的竭盡全力，最大限度地利用本國資源，必要時利用所能獲得的國際援助和合作，特別是財政、藝術、科學及技術方面的援助和合作。

第5條

為保證、保護、保存和展出本國領土內的文化和自然遺產採取積極有效的措施，本公約各締約國應視本國具體情況盡力做到以下幾點：

• （a）通過一項旨在使文化和自然遺產在社會生活中起一定作用並把遺產保護工作納入全面規劃計劃的總政策；
• （b）如本國內尚未建立負責文化和自然遺產的保護、保存和展出的機構，則建立一個或幾個此類機構，配備適當的工作人員和為履行其職能所需的手段；
• （c）發展科學和技術研究，並制訂出能夠抵抗威脅本國文化或自然遺產的危險的實際方法；
• （d）採取為確定、保護、保存、展出和恢復這類遺產所需的適當的法律、科學、技術、行政和財政措施；
• （e）促進建立或發展有關保護、保存和展出文化和自然遺產的國家或地區培訓中心，並鼓勵這方面的科學研究。

第6條

1. 本公約締約國，在充分尊重第1條和第2條中提及的文化和自然遺產的所在國的主權，並不使國家立法規定的財產權受到損害的同時，承認這類遺產是世界遺產的一部分，因此，整個國際社會有責任合作予以保護。
2. 締約國根據本公約的規定，應有關國家的要求幫助該國確定、保護、保存和展出第11條第2和4段中提及的文化和自然遺產。
3. 本公約各締約國不得故意採取任何可能直接或間接損害本公約其他締約國領土的、第1條和第2條中提及的文化和自然遺產的措施。

第7條

在本公約中，世界文化和自然遺產的國際保護應被理解為建立一個旨在支持本公約締約國保存和確定這類遺產的努力的國際合作和援助系統。

Ⅲ. 保護世界文化和自然遺產政府間委員會

第8條

1. 在聯合國教育、科學及文化組織內，要建立一個保護具有突出的普遍價值的文化和自然遺產政府間委員會，稱為「世界遺產委員會」。委員會由聯合國教育、科學及文化組織大會常會期間召集的本公約締約國大會選出的15個締約國組成。委員會成員國的數目將在至少40個締約國實施本公約之後的大會常會之日起增至21個。
2. 委員會委員的選舉須保證均衡地代表世界的不同地區和不同文化。
3. 國際文物保護與修復研究中心（羅馬中心）的一名代表、國際古跡遺址理事會的一名代表以及國際自然及資源保護聯盟的一名代表可以諮詢者身份出席委員會的會議，此外，應聯合國教育、科學及文化組織大會常會期間舉行大會的本公約締約國提出的要求，其他具有類似目標的政府間或非政府組織的代表亦可以諮詢者身份出席委員會的會議。

第9條

1. 世界遺產委員會成員國的任期自當選之應屆大會常會結束時起至應屆大會後第三次常會閉幕時止。
2. 但是，第一次選舉時指定的委員中，有三分之一的委員的任期放於當選應屆大會後第一次常會閉幕時截止；同時指定的委員中，另有三分之一的委員的任期應於當選之應屆大會後第二次常會閉幕時截止。這些委員由聯合國教育、科學及文化組織大會主席在第一次選舉後抽籤決定。
3. 委員會成員國應選派在文化或自然遺產方面有資歷的人員擔任代表。

第10條

1. 世界遺產委員會應通過其議事規則。
2. 委員會可隨時邀請公共或私立組織或個人參加其會議，以就具體問題進行磋商。
3. 委員會可設立它認為為履行其職能所需的諮詢機構。

第11條

1. 本公約各締約國應盡力向世界遺產委員會遞交一份關於本國領土內適於列入本條第2段所述《世界遺產目錄》的、組成文化和自然遺產的財產的清單。這份清單不應看作是齊全的，它應包括有關財產的所在地及其意義的文獻資料。
2. 根據締約國按照第1段規定遞交的清單，委員會應制訂、更新和出版一份《世界遺產目錄》，其中所列的均為本公約第1條和第2條確定的文化遺產和自然遺產的組成部分，也是委員會按照自己制訂的標準認為是具有突出的普遍價值的財產。一份最新目錄應至少每兩年分發一次。
3. 把一項財產列入《世界遺產目錄》需征得有關國家同意。當幾個國家對某一領土的主權或管轄權均提出要求時，將該領土內的一項財產列入《目錄》不得損害爭端各方的權利。
4. 委員會應在必要時制訂、更新和出版一份《處於危險的世界遺產目錄》，其中所列財產均為載於《世界遺產目錄》之中、需要採取重大活動加以保護並為根據本公約要求給予援助的財產。《處於危險的世界遺產目錄》應載有這類活動的費用概算，並只可包括文化和自然遺產中受到下述嚴重的特殊危險威脅的財產，這些危險是：蛻變加劇、大規模公共或私人工程、城市或旅遊業迅速發展計劃造成的消失威脅；土地的使用變動或易主造成的破壞；未知原因造成的重大變化；隨意擯棄；武裝衝突的爆發或威脅；災害和災變；嚴重火災、地震、山崩；火山爆發；水位變動、洪水和海嘯等。委員會在緊急需要時可隨時在《處於危險的世界遺產目錄》中增列新的條目並立即予以發表。
5. 委員會應確定屬於文化或自然遺產的財產可被列入本條第2和4段中提及的目錄所依據的標準。
6. 委員會在拒絕一項要求列入本條第2和4段中提及的目錄之一的申請之前，應與有關文化或自然財產所在締約國磋商。
7. 委員會經與有關國家商定，應協調和鼓勵為擬訂本條第2和4段中提及的目錄所需進行的研究。

第12條

未被列入第11條第2和4段提及的兩個目錄的屬於文化或自然遺產的財產，決非意味著在列入這些目錄的目的之外的其他領域不具有突出的普遍價值。

第13條

1. 世界遺產委員會應接收並研究本公約締約國就已經列入或可能適於列入第11條第2和4段中提及的目錄的本國領土內成為文化或自然遺產的財產要求國際援助而遞交的申請。這種申請的目的可能是保證這類財產得到保護、保存、展出或恢復。
2. 本條第1段中提及的國際援助申請還可能涉及鑒定哪些財產屬於第1和2條所確定的文化或自然遺產，當初步調查表明此項調查值得進行下去。
3. 委員會應就對這些申請所需採取的行動作出決定，必要時應確定其援助的性質和程度，並授權以它的名義與有關政府作出必要的安排。
4. 委員會應制訂其活動的優先順序並在進行這項工作時應考慮到需予保護的財產對世界文化和自然遺產各具的重要性、對最能代表一種自然環境或世界各國人民的才華和歷史的財產給予國際援助的必要性、所需開展工作的迫切性、擁有受到威脅的財產的國家現有的資源、特別是這些國家利用本國資源保護這類財產的能力大小。
5. 委員會應制訂、更新和發表已給予國際援助的財產目錄。
6. 委員會應就本公約第15條下設立的基金的資金使用問題作出決定。委員會應設法增加這類資金，並為此目的採取一切有益的措施。
7. 委員會應與擁有與本公約目標相似的目標的國際和國家級政府組織和非政府組織合作。委員會為實施其計劃和專案，可約請這類組織；特別是國際文物保護與修復研究中心（羅馬中心）、國際古跡遺址理事會和國際自然及自然資源保護聯盟並可約請公共和私立機構與個人。
8. 委員會的決定應經出席及參加表決的委員的三分之二多數通過。委員會委員的多數構成法定人數。

第14條

1. 世界遺產委員會應由聯合國教育、科學及文化組織總幹事任命組成的一個秘書處協助工作。
2. 聯合國教育、科學及文化組織總幹事應盡可能充分利用國際文物保護與修復研究中心（羅馬中心）、國際古跡遺址理事會和國際自然及自然資源保護聯盟在各自職權範圍內提供的服務，以為委員會準備檔資料，制訂委員會會議議程，並負責執行委員會的決定。

Ⅳ. 保護世界文化和自然基金

第15條

1. 現設立一項保護具有突出的普遍價值的世界文化和自然遺產基金，稱為「世界遺產基金」。
2. 根據聯合國教育、科學及文化組織《財務條例》的規定，此項基金應構成一項信託基金。
3. 基金的資金采源應包括：

• （a） 本公約締約國義務捐款和自願捐款；
• （b） 下列方面可能提供的捐款、贈款或遺贈：
  • （i） 其他國家；
  • （ii） 聯合國教育、科學及文化組織、聯合國系統的其他組織（特別是聯合國開發計劃署）或其他政府問組織；
  • （iii） 公共或私立機構或個人；
• （c） 基金款項所得利息；
• （d） 募捐的資金和為本基金組織的活動的所得收入；
• （e） 世界遺產委員會擬訂的基金條例所認可的所有其他資金。

4. 對基金的捐款和向委員會提供的其他形式的援助只能用於委員會限定的目的。委員會可接受僅用於某個計劃或專案的捐款，但以委員會業已決定實施該計劃或專案為條件，對基金的捐款不得帶有政治條件。

第16條

1. 在不影響任何自願補充捐款的情況下；本公約締約國每兩年定期向世界遺產基金納款，本公約締約國大會應在聯合因教育、科學及文化組織大會屆會期間開會確定適用於所有締約國的一個統一的納款額百分比，締約國大會關於此問題的決定，需由未作本條第2段中所述聲明的、出席及參加表決的締約國的多數通過。本公約締約國的義務納款在任何情況下都不得超過對聯合國教育、科學及文化組織正常預算納款的百分之一。
2. 然而，本公約經第31條或第32條中提及的國家均可在交存批准書、接受書或加入書時聲明不受本條第1段的約束。
3. 已作本條第2段中所述聲明的本公約締約國可隨時通過通知聯合國教育、科學及文化組織總幹事收回所作聲明。然而，收回聲明之舉在緊接的一屆本公約締約國大會之日以前不得影響該國的義務納款。
4. 為使委員會得以有效地規劃其活動，已作本條第2段中所述聲明的本公約締約國應至少每兩年定期納款，納款不得少於它們如受本條第1段規定約束所須交納的款額。
5. 凡拖延交付當年和前一日歷年的義務納款或自願捐款的本公約締約國不能當選為世界遺產委員會成員，但此項規定不適用於第一次選舉。屬於上述情況但已當選委員會成員的締約國的任期應在本公約第8條第1段規定的選舉之時截止。

第17條

本公約締約國應考慮或鼓勵設立旨在為保護本公約第1和2條中所確定的文化和自然遺產募捐的國家、公共及私立基金會或協會。

第18條

本公約締約國應對在聯合國教育、科學及文化組織贊助下為世界遺產基金所組織的國際募捐運動給予援助。它們應為第15條第3 段中提及的機構為此目的所進行的募款活動提供便利。

Ⅴ. 國際援助的條件和安排

第19條

凡本公約締約國均可要求對本國領土內組成具有突出的普遍價值的文化或自然遺產之財產給予國際援助。它在遞交申請時還應按照第21條規定所擁有的有助於委員會作出決定的文件資料。

第20條

除第13條第2段、第22條（c）分段和第23條所述情況外，本公約規定提供的國際援助僅限於世界遺產委員會業已決定或可能決定列入第11條第2和4段中所述目錄的文化和自然遺產的財產。

第21條

1. 世界遺產委員會應制訂對向它提交的國際援助申請的審議程式，並應確定申請應包括的內容，即打算開展的活動、必要的工程、工程的預計費用和緊急程度以及申請國的資源不能滿足所有開支的原因所在。這類申請須盡可能附有專家報告。
2. 對因遭受災難或自然災害而提出的申請，由於可能需要開展緊急工作，委員會應立即給予優先審議，委員會應掌握一筆應急儲備金。
3. 委員會在作出決定之前，應進行它認為必要的研究和磋商。第22條世界遺產委員會提供的援助可採取下述形式；

• （a）研究在保護、保存、展出和恢復本公約第11條第2和4段所確定的文化和自然遺產方面所產生的藝術、科學和技術性問題；
• （b）提供專家、技術人員和熟練工人，以保證正確地進行已批准的工作；
• （c）在各級培訓文化和自然遺產的鑒定、保護、保存、展出和恢復方面的工作人員和專家；
• （d）提供有關國家不具備或無法獲得的設備；
• （e）提供可長期償還的低息或無息貸款；
• （f）在例外和特殊情況下提供無償補助金。

第23條

世界遺產委員會還可向培訓文化和自然遺產的鑒定、保護、保存、展出和恢復方面的各級工作人員和專家的國家或地區中心提供國際援助。

第24條

在提供大規模的國際援助之前，應先進行周密的科學、經濟和技術研究。這些研究應考慮採用保護、保存、展出和恢復自然和文化遺產方面最先進的技術，並應與本公約的目標相一致。這些研究還應探討合理利用有關國家現有資源的手段。

第25條

原則上，國際社會只擔負必要工程的部分費用。除非本國資源不許可，受益於國際援助的國家承擔的費用應構成用於各項計劃或專案的資金的主要份額。

第26條

世界遺產委員會和受援國應在他們簽訂的協定中確定享有根據本公約規定提供的國際援助的計劃或專案的實施條件。應由接受這類國際援助的國家負責按照協定制訂的條件對如此衛護的財產繼續加以保護、保存和展出。

Ⅵ. 教育計劃

第27條

1. 本公約締約國應通過一切適當手段，特別是教育和宣傳計劃，努力增強本國人民對本公約第1和2條中確定的文化和自然遺產的讚賞和尊重。
2. 締約國應使公眾廣泛瞭解對這類遺產造成威脅的危險和根據本公約進行的活動。

第28條

接受根據本公約提供的國際援助的締約國應採取適當措施，使人們瞭解接受援助的財產的重要性和國際援助所發揮的作用。

Ⅶ. 報告

第29條

1. 本公約締約國在按照聯合國教育、科學及文化組織大會確定的日期和方式向該組織大會遞交的報告中，應提供有關它們為實行本公約所通過的法律和行政規定和採取的其他行動的情況，並詳述在這方面獲得的經驗。
2. 應提請世界遺產委員會注意這些報告。
3. 委員會應在聯合國教育、科學及文化組織大會的每屆常會上遞交 7 份關於其活動的報告。

Ⅷ. 最後條款

第30條

本公約以阿拉伯文、英文、法文、俄文和西班牙文擬訂，五種文本同一作準。

第31條

1. 本公約應由聯合國教育、科學及文化組織會員國根據各自的憲法程式予以批准或接受。
2. 批難書或接受書應交存聯合國教育、科學及文化組織總幹事。

第32條

1. 所有非聯合國教育、科學及文化組織會員的國家，經該組織大會邀請均可加入本公約。
2. 向聯合國教育、科學及文化組織總幹事交存一份加入書後，加入方才有效。

第33條

本公約須在第二十份批准書、接受書或加入書交存之日的三個月之後生效，但這僅涉及在該日或之首交存各自批准書、接受書或加入書的國家。就任何其他國家而言，本公約應在這些國家交存其批准書、接受書或加入書的三個月之後生效。

第34條

下述規定須應用於擁有聯邦制或非單一立憲制的本公約締約國：

• （a）關於在聯邦或中央立法機構的法律管轄下實施的本公約規定，聯邦或中央政府的義務應 與非聯邦國家的締約國的義務相同；
• （b）關於在無須按照聯邦立憲制採取立法措施的聯邦各個國家、地區、省或州法律管轄下實施的本公約規定，聯邦政府應將這些規定連同其關於予以通過的建議一併通告各個國家、地區、省或州的主管當局。

第35條

1. 本公約締約國均可通告廢除本公約。
2. 廢約通告應以一份書面檔交存聯合國教育、科學及文化組織的總幹事。
3. 公約的廢除應在接到廢約通告書一年後生效，廢約在生效日之前不得影響退約國承擔的財政義務。

第36條

聯合國教育、科學及文化組織總幹事應將第31 和 32條規定交存的所有批准書、接受書和加入書和第35條規定的廢約等事通告本組織會員國、第32條中提及的非本組織會員的國家以及聯合國。

第37條

1. 本公約可由聯合國教育、科學及文化組織的大會修訂。但任何修訂只將成為修訂的公約締約國具有約束力。
2. 如大會通過一項全部或部分修訂本公約的新公約，除非新分約另有規定，本公約應從新的修訂公約生效之日起停止批准、接受或加入。

第38條

按照《聯合國憲章》第102條，本公約須應聯合國教育、科學及文化組織總幹事的要求在聯合國秘書處登記。

1972年11月23日訂於巴黎，兩個正式文本均有大會第十七屆會議主席和聯合國教育、科學及文化組織總幹事的簽字，由聯合國教育、科學及文化組織存檔，並將證明無誤之副本發送第31條和第32條述之所有國家以及聯合國。

前文系聯合國教育、科學及文化組織大會在巴黎舉行的，於一九七二年十一月二十一日宣布閉幕的第十七屆會議通過的《公約》正式文本。

一九七二年十一月二十三日簽字，以昭信守。

大會主席

荻原徹

總幹事

勒力・馬厄

該副本經驗明無誤

巴黎

聯合國教育、科學及文化組織國際準則及法律事務辦公室主任

Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage

Adopted by the General Conference at its seventeenth session Paris, 16 november 1972

The General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization meeting in Paris from 17 October to 21 November 1972, at its seventeenth session,

Noting that the cultural heritage and the natural heritage are increasingly threatened with destruction not only by the traditional causes of decay, but also by changing social and economic conditions which aggravate the situation with even more formidable phenomena of damage or destruction,

Considering that deterioration or disappearance of any item of the cultural or natural heritage constitutes a harmful impoverishment of the heritage of all the nations of the world,

Considering that protection of this heritage at the national level often remains incomplete because of the scale of the resources which it requires and of the insufficient economic, scientific, and technological resources of the country where the property to be protected is situated,

Recalling that the Constitution of the Organization provides that it will maintain, increase, and diffuse knowledge by assuring the conservation and protection of the world's heritage, and recommending to the nations concerned the necessary international conventions,

Considering that the existing international conventions, recommendations and resolutions concerning cultural and natural property demonstrate the importance, for all the peoples of the world, of safeguarding this unique and irreplaceable property, to whatever people it may belong,

Considering that parts of the cultural or natural heritage are of outstanding interest and therefore need to be preserved as part of the world heritage of mankind as a whole,

Considering that, in view of the magnitude and gravity of the new dangers threatening them, it is incumbent on the international community as a whole to participate in the protection of the cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value, by the granting of collective assistance which, although not taking the place of action by the State concerned, will serve as an efficient complement thereto,

Considering that it is essential for this purpose to adopt new provisions in the form of a convention establishing an effective system of collective protection of the cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value, organized on a permanent basis and in accordance with modern scientific methods,

Having decided, at its sixteenth session, that this question should be made the subject of an international convention,

Adopts this sixteenth day of November 1972 this Convention.

I. Definition of the Cultural and Natural Heritage

Article 1

For the purpose of this Convention, the following shall be considered as "cultural heritage":

• monuments: architectural works, works of monumental sculpture and painting, elements or structures of an archaeological nature, inscriptions, cave dwellings and combinations of features, which are of outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or science;
• groups of buildings: groups of separate or connected buildings which, because of their architecture, their homogeneity or their place in the landscape, are of outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or science;
• sites: works of man or the combined works of nature and man, and areas including archaeological sites which are of outstanding universal value from the historical, aesthetic, ethnological or anthropological point of view.

Article 2

For the purposes of this Convention, the following shall be considered as "natural heritage":

• natural features consisting of physical and biological formations or groups of such formations, which are of outstanding universal value from the aesthetic or scientific point of view;
• geological and physiographical formations and precisely delineated areas which constitute the habitat of threatened species of animals and plants of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation;
• natural sites or precisely delineated natural areas of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty.

Article 3

It is for each State Party to this Convention to identify and delineate the different properties situated on its territory mentioned in Articles 1 and 2 above.

Ⅱ. National Protection and International Protection of the Cultural and Natural Heritage

Article 4

Each State Party to this Convention recognizes that the duty of ensuring the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and transmission to future generations of the cultural and natural heritage referred to in Articles 1 and 2 and situated on its territory, belongs primarily to that State. It will do all it can to this end, to the utmost of its own resources and, where appropriate, with any international assistance and co-operation, in particular, financial, artistic, scientific and technical, which it may be able to obtain.

Article 5

To ensure that effective and active measures are taken for the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage situated on its territory, each State Party to this Convention shall endeavor, in so far as possible, and as appropriate for each country:

• (a) to adopt a general policy which aims to give the cultural and natural heritage a function in the life of the community and to integrate the protection of that heritage into comprehensive planning programmes;
• (b) to set up within its territories, where such services do not exist, one or more services for the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage with an appropriate staff and possessing the means to discharge their functions;
• (c) to develop scientific and technical studies and research and to work out such operating methods as will make the State capable of counteracting the dangers that threaten its cultural or natural heritage;
• (d) to take the appropriate legal, scientific, technical, administrative and financial measures necessary for the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of this heritage; and
• (e) to foster the establishment or development of national or regional centres for training in the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage and to encourage scientific research in this field.

Article 6

1. Whilst fully respecting the sovereignty of the States on whose territory the cultural and natural heritage mentioned in Articles 1 and 2 is situated, and without prejudice to property right provided by national legislation, the States Parties to this Convention recognize that such heritage constitutes a world heritage for whose protection it is the duty of the international community as a whole to co-operate.
2. The States Parties undertake, in accordance with the provisions of this Convention, to give their help in the identification, protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage referred to in paragraphs 2 and 4 of Article 11 if the States on whose territory it is situated so request.
3. Each State Party to this Convention undertakes not to take any deliberate measures which might damage directly or indirectly the cultural and natural heritage referred to in Articles 1 and 2 situated on the territory of other States Parties to this Convention.

Article 7

For the purpose of this Convention, international protection of the world cultural and natural heritage shall be understood to mean the establishment of a system of international co-operation and assistance designed to support States Parties to the Convention in their efforts to conserve and identify that heritage.

Ⅲ. Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage

Article 8

1. An Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, called "the World Heritage Committee", is hereby established within the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It shall be composed of 15 States Parties to the Convention, elected by States Parties to the Convention meeting in general assembly during the ordinary session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The number of States members of the Committee shall be increased to 21 as from the date of the ordinary session of the General Conference following the entry into force of this Convention for at least 40 States.
2. Election of members of the Committee shall ensure an equitable representation of the different regions and cultures of the world.
3. A representative of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (Rome Centre), a representative of the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and a representative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), to whom may be added, at the request of States Parties to the Convention meeting in general assembly during the ordinary sessions of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, representatives of other intergovernmental or non-governmental organizations, with similar objectives, may attend the meetings of the Committee in an advisory capacity.

Article 9

1. The term of office of States members of the World Heritage Committee shall extend from the end of the ordinary session of the General Conference during which they are elected until the end of its third subsequent ordinary session.
2. The term of office of one-third of the members designated at the time of the first election shall, however, cease at the end of the first ordinary session of the General Conference following that at which they were elected; and the term of office of a further third of the members designated at the same time shall cease at the end of the second ordinary session of the General Conference following that at which they were elected. The names of these members shall be chosen by lot by the President of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization after the first election.
3. States members of the Committee shall choose as their representatives persons qualified in the field of the cultural or natural heritage.

Article 10

1. The World Heritage Committee shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.
2. The Committee may at any time invite public or private organizations or individuals to participate in its meetings for consultation on particular problems.
3. The Committee may create such consultative bodies as it deems necessary for the performance of its functions.

Article 11

1. Every State Party to this Convention shall, in so far as possible, submit to the World Heritage Committee an inventory of property forming part of the cultural and natural heritage, situated in its territory and suitable for inclusion in the list provided for in paragraph 2 of this Article. This inventory, which shall not be considered exhaustive, shall include documentation about the location of the property in question and its significance.
2. On the basis of the inventories submitted by States in accordance with paragraph 1, the Committee shall establish, keep up to date and publish, under the title of "World Heritage List," a list of properties forming part of the cultural heritage and natural heritage, as defined in Articles 1 and 2 of this Convention, which it considers as having outstanding universal value in terms of such criteria as it shall have established. An updated list shall be distributed at least every two years.
3. The inclusion of a property in the World Heritage List requires the consent of the State concerned. The inclusion of a property situated in a territory, sovereignty or jurisdiction over which is claimed by more than one State shall in no way prejudice the rights of the parties to the dispute.
4. The Committee shall establish, keep up to date and publish, whenever circumstances shall so require, under the title of "list of World Heritage in Danger", a list of the property appearing in the World Heritage List for the conservation of which major operations are necessary and for which assistance has been requested under this Convention. This list shall contain an estimate of the cost of such operations. The list may include only such property forming part of the cultural and natural heritage as is threatened by serious and specific dangers, such as the threat of disappearance caused by accelerated deterioration, large-scale public or private projects or rapid urban or tourist development projects; destruction caused by changes in the use or ownership of the land; major alterations due to unknown causes; abandonment for any reason whatsoever; the outbreak or the threat of an armed conflict; calamities and cataclysms; serious fires, earthquakes, landslides; volcanic eruptions; changes in water level, floods and tidal waves. The Committee may at any time, in case of urgent need, make a new entry in the List of World Heritage in Danger and publicize such entry immediately.
5. The Committee shall define the criteria on the basis of which a property belonging to the cultural or natural heritage may be included in either of the lists mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 4 of this article.
6. Before refusing a request for inclusion in one of the two lists mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 4 of this article, the Committee shall consult the State Party in whose territory the cultural or natural property in question is situated.
7. The Committee shall, with the agreement of the States concerned, co-ordinate and encourage the studies and research needed for the drawing up of the lists referred to in paragraphs 2 and 4 of this article.

Article 12

The fact that a property belonging to the cultural or natural heritage has not been included in either of the two lists mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 4 of Article 11 shall in no way be construed to mean that it does not have an outstanding universal value for purposes other than those resulting from inclusion in these lists.

Article 13

1. The World Heritage Committee shall receive and study requests for international assistance formulated by States Parties to this Convention with respect to property forming part of the cultural or natural heritage, situated in their territories, and included or potentially suitable for inclusion in the lists mentioned referred to in paragraphs 2 and 4 of Article 11. The purpose of such requests may be to secure the protection, conservation, presentation or rehabilitation of such property.
2. Requests for international assistance under paragraph 1 of this article may also be concerned with identification of cultural or natural property defined in Articles 1 and 2, when preliminary investigations have shown that further inquiries would be justified.
3. The Committee shall decide on the action to be taken with regard to these requests, determine where appropriate, the nature and extent of its assistance, and authorize the conclusion, on its behalf, of the necessary arrangements with the government concerned.
4. The Committee shall determine an order of priorities for its operations. It shall in so doing bear in mind the respective importance for the world cultural and natural heritage of the property requiring protection, the need to give international assistance to the property most representative of a natural environment or of the genius and the history of the peoples of the world, the urgency of the work to be done, the resources available to the States on whose territory the threatened property is situated and in particular the extent to which they are able to safeguard such property by their own means.
5. The Committee shall draw up, keep up to date and publicize a list of property for which international assistance has been granted.
6. The Committee shall decide on the use of the resources of the Fund established under Article 15 of this Convention. It shall seek ways of increasing these resources and shall take all useful steps to this end.
7. The Committee shall co-operate with international and national governmental and non-governmental organizations having objectives similar to those of this Convention. For the implementation of its programmes and projects, the Committee may call on such organizations, particularly the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (the Rome Centre), the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), as well as on public and private bodies and individuals.
8. Decisions of the Committee shall be taken by a majority of two-thirds of its members present and voting. A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.

Article 14

1. The World Heritage Committee shall be assisted by a Secretariat appointed by the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
2. The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, utilizing to the fullest extent possible the services of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and the Restoration of Cultural Property (the Rome Centre), the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) in their respective areas of competence and capability, shall prepare the Committee's documentation and the agenda of its meetings and shall have the responsibility for the implementation of its decisions.

Ⅳ. Fund for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage

Article 15

1. A Fund for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Outstanding Universal Value, called "the World Heritage Fund", is hereby established.
2. The Fund shall constitute a trust fund, in conformity with the provisions of the Financial Regulations of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
3. The resources of the Fund shall consist of:

• (a) compulsory and voluntary contributions made by States Parties to this Convention,
• (b) Contributions, gifts or bequests which may be made by:
  • (i) other States;
  • (ii) the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, other organizations of the United Nations system, particularly the United Nations Development Programme or other intergovernmental organizations;
  • (iii) public or private bodies or individuals;
• (c) any interest due on the resources of the Fund;
• (d) funds raised by collections and receipts from events organized for the benefit of the fund; and
• (e) all other resources authorized by the Fund's regulations, as drawn up by the World Heritage Committee.

4. Contributions to the Fund and other forms of assistance made available to the Committee may be used only for such purposes as the Committee shall define. The Committee may accept contributions to be used only for a certain programme or project, provided that the Committee shall have decided on the implementation of such programme or project. No political conditions may be attached to contributions made to the Fund.

Article 16

1. Without prejudice to any supplementary voluntary contribution, the States Parties to this Convention undertake to pay regularly, every two years, to the World Heritage Fund, contributions, the amount of which, in the form of a uniform percentage applicable to all States, shall be determined by the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention, meeting during the sessions of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. This decision of the General Assembly requires the majority of the States Parties present and voting, which have not made the declaration referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article. In no case shall the compulsory contribution of States Parties to the Convention exceed 1% of the contribution to the regular budget of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
2. However, each State referred to in Article 31 or in Article 32 of this Convention may declare, at the time of the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance or accession, that it shall not be bound by the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article.
3. A State Party to the Convention which has made the declaration referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article may at any time withdraw the said declaration by notifying the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. However, the withdrawal of the declaration shall not take effect in regard to the compulsory contribution due by the State until the date of the subsequent General Assembly of States parties to the Convention.
4. In order that the Committee may be able to plan its operations effectively, the contributions of States Parties to this Convention which have made the declaration referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article, shall be paid on a regular basis, at least every two years, and should not be less than the contributions which they should have paid if they had been bound by the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article.
5. Any State Party to the Convention which is in arrears with the payment of its compulsory or voluntary contribution for the current year and the calendar year immediately preceding it shall not be eligible as a Member of the World Heritage Committee, although this provision shall not apply to the first election.

The terms of office of any such State which is already a member of the Committee shall terminate at the time of the elections provided for in Article 8, paragraph 1 of this Convention.

Article 17

The States Parties to this Convention shall consider or encourage the establishment of national public and private foundations or associations whose purpose is to invite donations for the protection of the cultural and natural heritage as defined in Articles 1 and 2 of this Convention.

Article 18

The States Parties to this Convention shall give their assistance to international fund-raising campaigns organized for the World Heritage Fund under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. They shall facilitate collections made by the bodies mentioned in paragraph 3 of Article 15 for this purpose.

Ⅴ. Conditions and Aggrangements for International Assistance

Article 19

Any State Party to this Convention may request international assistance for property forming part of the cultural or natural heritage of outstanding universal value situated within its territory. It shall submit with its request such information and documentation provided for in Article 21 as it has in its possession and as will enable the Committee to come to a decision.

Article 20

Subject to the provisions of paragraph 2 of Article 13, sub-paragraph (c) of Article 22 and Article 23, international assistance provided for by this Convention may be granted only to property forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee has decided, or may decide, to enter in one of the lists mentioned in paragraphs 2 and 4 of Article 11.

Article 21

1. The World Heritage Committee shall define the procedure by which requests to it for international assistance shall be considered and shall specify the content of the request, which should define the operation contemplated, the work that is necessary, the expected cost thereof, the degree of urgency and the reasons why the resources of the State requesting assistance do not allow it to meet all the expenses. Such requests must be supported by experts' reports whenever possible.
2. Requests based upon disasters or natural calamities should, by reasons of the urgent work which they may involve, be given immediate, priority consideration by the Committee, which should have a reserve fund at its disposal against such contingencies.
3. Before coming to a decision, the Committee shall carry out such studies and consultations as it deems necessary.

Article 22

Assistance granted by the World Heritage Fund may take the following forms:

• (a) studies concerning the artistic, scientific and technical problems raised by the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the cultural and natural heritage, as defined in paragraphs 2 and 4 of Article 11 of this Convention;
• (b) provisions of experts, technicians and skilled labour to ensure that the approved work is correctly carried out;
• (c) training of staff and specialists at all levels in the field of identification, protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the cultural and natural heritage;
• (d) supply of equipment which the State concerned does not possess or is not in a position to acquire;
• (e) low-interest or interest-free loans which might be repayable on a long-term basis;
• (f) the granting, in exceptional cases and for special reasons, of non-repayable subsidies.

Article 23

The World Heritage Committee may also provide international assistance to national or regional centres for the training of staff and specialists at all levels in the field of identification, protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the cultural and natural heritage.

Article 24

International assistance on a large scale shall be preceded by detailed scientific, economic and technical studies. These studies shall draw upon the most advanced techniques for the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the natural and cultural heritage and shall be consistent with the objectives of this Convention. The studies shall also seek means of making rational use of the resources available in the State concerned.

Article 25

As a general rule, only part of the cost of work necessary shall be borne by the international community. The contribution of the State benefiting from international assistance shall constitute a substantial share of the resources devoted to each programme or project, unless its resources do not permit this.

Article 26

The World Heritage Committee and the recipient State shall define in the agreement they conclude the conditions in which a programme or project for which international assistance under the terms of this Convention is provided, shall be carried out. It shall be the responsibility of the State receiving such international assistance to continue to protect, conserve and present the property so safeguarded, in observance of the conditions laid down by the agreement.

Ⅵ. Educational Programmes

Article 27

1. The States Parties to this Convention shall endeavor by all appropriate means, and in particular by educational and information programmes, to strengthen appreciation and respect by their peoples of the cultural and natural heritage defined in Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention.
2. They shall undertake to keep the public broadly informed of the dangers threatening this heritage and of the activities carried on in pursuance of this Convention.

Article 28

States Parties to this Convention which receive international assistance under the Convention shall take appropriate measures to make known the importance of the property for which assistance has been received and the role played by such assistance.

Ⅶ. Reports

Article 29

1. The States Parties to this Convention shall, in the reports which they submit to the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization on dates and in a manner to be determined by it, give information on the legislative and administrative provisions which they have adopted and other action which they have taken for the application of this Convention, together with details of the experience acquired in this field.
2. These reports shall be brought to the attention of the World Heritage Committee.
3. The Committee shall submit a report on its activities at each of the ordinary sessions of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Ⅷ. Final Clauses

Article 30

This Convention is drawn up in Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish, the five texts being equally authoritative.

Article 31

1. This Convention shall be subject to ratification or acceptance by States members of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in accordance with their respective constitutional procedures.
2. The instruments of ratification or acceptance shall be deposited with the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Article 32

1. This Convention shall be open to accession by all States not members of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization which are invited by the General Conference of the Organization to accede to it.
2. Accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of accession with the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Article 33

This Convention shall enter into force three months after the date of the deposit of the twentieth instrument of ratification, acceptance or accession, but only with respect to those States which have deposited their respective instruments of ratification, acceptance or accession on or before that date. It shall enter into force with respect to any other State three months after the deposit of its instrument of ratification, acceptance or accession.

Article 34

The following provisions shall apply to those States Parties to this Convention which have a federal or non-unitary constitutional system: (a) with regard to the provisions of this Convention, the implementation of which comes under the legal jurisdiction of the federal or central legislative power, the obligations of the federal or central government shall be the same as for those States parties which are not federal States; (b) with regard to the provisions of this Convention, the implementation of which comes under the legal jurisdiction of individual constituent States, countries, provinces or cantons that are not obliged by the constitutional system of the federation to take legislative measures, the federal government shall inform the competent authorities of such States, countries, provinces or cantons of the said provisions, with its recommendation for their adoption.

Article 35

1. Each State Party to this Convention may denounce the Convention.
2. The denunciation shall be notified by an instrument in writing, deposited with the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
3. The denunciation shall take effect twelve months after the receipt of the instrument of denunciation. It shall not affect the financial obligations of the denouncing State until the date on which the withdrawal takes effect. 16

Article 36

The Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization shall inform the States members of the Organization, the States not members of the Organization which are referred to in Article 32, as well as the United Nations, of the deposit of all the instruments of ratification, acceptance, or accession provided for in Articles 31 and 32, and of the denunciations provided for in Article 35.

Article 37

1. This Convention may be revised by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Any such revision shall, however, bind only the States which shall become Parties to the revising convention.
2. If the General Conference should adopt a new convention revising this Convention in whole or in part, then, unless the new convention otherwise provides, this Convention shall cease to be open to ratification, acceptance or accession, as from the date on which the new revising convention enters into force.

Article 38

In conformity with Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations, this Convention shall be registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations at the request of the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Done in Paris, this twenty-third day of November 1972, in two authentic copies bearing the signature of the President of the seventeenth session of the General Conference and of the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which shall be deposited in the archives of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and certified true copies of which shall be delivered to all the States referred to in Articles 31 and 32 as well as to the United Nations.