Access information on Multilateral Environmental Agreements

The World Heritage Convention defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List. The States Parties are encouraged to integrate the protection of the cultural and natural heritage into regional planning programmes, set up staff and services at their sites, undertake scientific and technical conservation research and adopt measures which give this heritage a function in the day-to-day life of the community.The most significant feature of the Convention is that it links together in a single document the concepts of nature conservation and the preservation of cultural properties. It recognizes the way in which people interact with nature, and the fundamental need to preserve the balance between the two. Established in 1992, the World Heritage Centre ensures the day-to-day management of the Convention and is coordinator within UNESCO for all matters related to World Heritage.