Call For 2026 Good Practices | World Heritage Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

In 2023, the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (WHITR-AP, Shanghai Center) launched the "World Heritage Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals" project (2023-2028). The overall goal of the project is to facilitate the understanding of the 2015 UNESCO Policy document for the Integration of a Sustainable Development Perspective into the Process of the World Heritage Convention and to create appropriate tools for heritage practitioners to streamline recommendations for the effective use of heritage as a driver for sustainable development, in line with the Regional Framework Action Plan for Asia and the Pacific developed based on the 3rd Periodic Reporting cycle. The project includes multiple activities, including the recognition of Good Practices from heritage practitioners on how heritage conservation and management contribute to sustainable development. 

The Heritage Asia-Pacific (HeritAP) is a network of heritage practitioners supported by WHITR-AP Shanghai. It aims to foster the sharing of knowledge and experiences among individuals and institutions in the Asia-Pacific Region by establishing diverse links between individuals, groups and institutions, adhering to the philosophy that true knowledge springs from practice.

Background  

        The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the core guidelines for global development efforts from 2015 to 2030. In 2015, UNESCO adopted the "Policy on the Integration of a Sustainable Development Perspective into the Process of the World Heritage Convention" to guide the conservation and management of World Heritage. The "Regional Framework Action Plan for Asia and the Pacific (2023 - 2030)" adopted by the World Heritage Committee, considers good sustainable development cases as one of the performance indicators.

        In addition, the UNESCO Thematic Indicators for Culture (Culture| 2030 Indicators) proposed a conceptual framework to measure and monitor the progress of culture’s enabling contribution to the SDGs with four transversal thematic dimensions 1. Environment & Resilience; 2. Prosperity & Livelihoods; 3. Knowledge & Skills; 4. Inclusion & Participation.

        As aforementioned, in 2023, encouraged by UNESCO, WHITR-AP Shanghai launched the "World Heritage Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals" project (2023 - 2028) in the Asia - Pacific region. A steering group was established with representatives from UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the World Heritage Advisory Bodies (ICOMOS, ICCROM and IUCN), the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SEAMEO SPAFA), and the International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST). The overarching aim of the project is to facilitate the dialogue between a range of viewpoints, identify Good Practices based on the four transversal thematic dimensions established by the 2030 Culture Indicators, and provide guidance to heritage practitioners to effectively contribute to sustainable development. 

        The overall goals of the project are as follows

• Facilitate the understanding of the 2015 Policy on Integration of a Sustainable Development Perspective into the Processes of the World Heritage Convention and contribute to the implementation of the Regional Framework Action Plan for Asia and the Pacific (2023-2030).
• Create appropriate tools for heritage practitioners to streamline sustainability and effectively harness the potential of heritage as a driver for sustainable development;
• Promote capacity development and information exchange between heritage practitioners on good practices to streamline sustainable development in heritage conservation and management.
• Disseminate experiences and lessons learned from good practices in World Heritage contribution to SDGs, recognize and reward the contributions made by heritage practitioners.
   

Knowledge & Skills (2026)

         The theme for the 2026 call for practices are "Knowledge & Skills". This thematic dimension provides a framework for evaluating the role of heritage in developing knowledge and skills, including traditional knowledge and cultural diversity. It emphasizes the contribution of heritage in transmitting local values, knowledge, and skills, and fostering empowerment through education, training, processes, policies, and materials. The focus is on integrating heritage knowledge into primary, secondary, and tertiary education, as well as vocational training and to assess the commitment of public authorities and institutions in leveraging heritage knowledge to foster respect for cultural diversity, understanding of sustainable development, and transmission of values. Additionally, it prioritizes cultural and natural training, including advanced training in heritage conservation, and promotes skills and competence in creative fields.

        This thematic dimension also directly supports UNESCO’s Promoting Tangible – Intangible Synergies at UNESCO Designated Sites in Asia-Pacific by generating and sharing integrated knowledge systems that treat built fabric, landscapes, and living practices as mutually reinforcing resources. By embedding both tangible and intangible elements in education, training, and policy tools, it equips practitioners to document, interpret, and safeguard sites holistically; facilitates joint curricula that link craft techniques to conservation science; and strengthens local capacity to manage heritage places as dynamic cultural-ecological systems.