ICCROM was named in the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention) as one of the three advisory bodies to the World Heritage Committee. ICCROM and ICOMOS are responsible for cultural heritage matters, while IUCN deals with issues related to natural heritage. The role of the three organizations is to advise the Committee on the implementation of the Convention, assist in the preparation of the Committee’s work, and aid in the development and implementation of strategic orientations identified by the Committee.

All three advisory bodies are involved in monitoring the state of conservation of properties on the World Heritage List, providing technical advice, reviewing requests for international assistance, and taking part in the continued scientific development of the Convention. Over the past ten years, ICCROM has played roles in Periodic Reporting, the development of the Global Training Strategy, and the revision of the Operational Guidelines. In addition, ICCROM has been recognized by the Committee as the priority partner for training related to cultural heritage.

Increased cooperation with the World Heritage Committee has led to ICCROM being contracted by the World Heritage Centre to run national and regional level training courses for World Heritage topics.  In the 2008 – 2009 biennium (pending funding from the World Heritage Committee), it is expected that ICCROM will organize training courses in the Arab States, Latin America and Asia/Pacific regions as well as a thematic course on cultural landscapes (see Built Heritage programme). It is also a partner with African cultural heritage organizations, the World Heritage Centre, and CRATerre-ENSAG, EPA, and CHDA in the AFRICA 2009 programme, for which ICCROM acts as the secretariat. ICCROM has also been asked to create specific training materials in support of World Heritage.

ICCROM staff time is devoted to attending all statutory meetings of the World Heritage Committee, and other meetings devoted to scientific and administrative issues related to World Heritage. Costs for attending these meetings as well as some of the administrative costs at ICCROM are covered by a contribution from the World Heritage Fund. ICCROM does, however, contribute a considerable amount of staff time in its role as Advisory Body to the World Heritage Committee. These roles are expected to continue in the 2008–9 biennium, subject to the coincidence of ICCROM’s programmes with World Heritage priorities.

ICCROM’s role is consistent with its own mandate of raising the standards of professional practice at all levels, achieved here through disseminating good theory and practice for World Heritage sites applicable at the regional, national, and local  levels.

updated on: 24 November, 2007