The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-15/39.COM/12,
2. Recalling Decision 35 COM 12B and Decision 37 COM 13 adopted respectively at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011) and its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013);
3. Thanks the Government of Australia for their commitment and financial contribution in view of the development of a Policy Guidelines document for a better implementation of the World Heritage Convention;
4. Takes note of the status report prepared by the World Heritage Centre on the progress made so far;
5. Thanks ICCROM for taking the lead for undertaking the scoping study in close consultation with ICOMOS and IUCN and the World Heritage Centre;
6. Requests the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies to make additional progress beyond the scoping study over the next year;
7. Requests ICCROM and other stakeholders involved in the preparation of the scoping study to take into account the Policy Document on sustainable development – once the Policy Document is adopted by the General Assembly of the States Parties – as one of the essential elements to be inserted in the future Policy Guidelines;
8. Also requests the World Heritage Centre to present the scoping study along with additional progress report to the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016.