Participation: By invitation only
Background and contents
A buffer zone serves to provide an additional layer of protection
to a World Heritage property. The concept of a buffer zone was first
included in the Operational Guidelines for the implementation
of the World Heritage Convention in 1977. In the most current
version of the Operational Guidelines of 2005 the inclusion of a
buffer zone into a nomination of a site to the World Heritage List
is strongly recommended but not mandatory.
Many World Heritage properties face problems that directly or indirectly
derive from the situation of their buffer zone. New constructions
within a buffer zone may have an impact on the World Heritage property
and could threaten its Outstanding Universal Value; a different
legal status of a buffer zone could also impact the conservation,
the protection or management plan of a site.
This expert meeting will implement Decision 30 COM 9 by the 30th
session of the World Heritage Committee. The discussion will focus
on problems and best practices concerning buffer zones and issues
related to the integrity of properties inscribed on the World Heritage
List.
The outcome of the meeting, including proposals of modifications
to the Operational Guidelines of the World Heritage Convention (Version
2005) regarding definition and management of buffer zones, as well
as conditions of integrity, will be presented to the 32nd session
of the Committee (Québec, July 2008). The discussion will
be based on case studies (of natural sites, cultural sites, mixed
sites, and cultural landscapes) as well as on the results of studies
undertaken in the framework of the Retrospective Inventory, Periodic
Reporting and State of conservation processes.
Experts and site managers from States Parties to the World Heritage
Convention, representatives from the Advisory Bodies to the Convention
IUCN, ICOMOS, ICCROM, representatives of related Conventions and
programmes (RAMSAR, MAB) as well as representatives of UNESCO and
the World Heritage Centre will participate in the meeting.
Aim and Objectives
The main objectives of the meeting are to:
- Review the provisions on buffer zones and boundaries in the
Operational Guidelines;
- Review case studies of World Heritage properties, natural, cultural
and cultural landscape sites to be presented to the workshop;
- Review background papers by the World Heritage Centre and the
Advisory Bodies as well as information analyzed through the Retrospective
Inventory Project;
- Compile specific recommendations from the working groups at
the Workshop and a draft decision for the 32nd Session of the
World Heritage Committee.
The results of the meeting will be presented to the 32nd World
Heritage Committee Session in 2008 in Quebec, Canada. A report documenting
the proceedings of the meeting will be published.
Languages
The working languages of the meeting are French and English. There
will be an interpretation service in both languages.
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