PM Modi to Open UNESCO World Heritage Committee's 46th Session in India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee on Sunday. This significant UNESCO event, hosted by India for the first time, will take place from July 21-31. Director General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay will also be present at the inaugural event at Bharat Mandapam, according to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi expressed his excitement about India hosting this meeting. "It's a matter of immense joy that India is hosting the meeting of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi. This is the first time our nation is hosting this Committee," he said. "I look forward to attending the programme at 7 PM tomorrow evening. This is an important forum to exchange views on ways to preserve our heritage."

Focus on Cultural and Natural Sites

The session will review 27 nominations from around the globe, including 19 cultural sites, four natural sites, and two mixed sites. India's nomination for Moidams in Assam under the cultural property category for 2023-24 will be examined. Janhwij Sharma, Additional Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), mentioned that ICOMOS has recommended Moidams favourably for inscription.

During the 11-day session, discussions will cover proposals for new sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List and state of conservation reports for 124 existing properties. Other topics include international assistance and utilisation of the World Heritage Fund. The PMO confirmed these details in a statement released on Saturday.

Exhibitions and Side Events

India has planned various side events and exhibitions to showcase its rich heritage and modern advancements. The Ministry of Tourism, along with other ministries like railways, mines, electronics, and information technology, has curated exhibitions. These include handlooms and handicrafts displays at Bharat Mandapam.

An exhibition titled "Return of Treasures" will feature artefacts brought back to India. Over 350 artefacts have been retrieved so far. Additionally, immersive experiences using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies will be offered for three World Heritage Sites: Rani ki Vav in Gujarat, Kailasa Temple in Maharashtra, and Hoysala Temple in Karnataka.

World Heritage Committee's Role

The World Heritage Committee meets annually to manage matters related to world heritage sites and decide on new inscriptions. Currently, 1,199 properties are listed by 168 State Parties on the World Heritage List. The Culture Ministry stated that all matters related to World Heritage Conventions are addressed during these sessions.

India was elected to the 21-member WHC in 2021 for a four-year term until 2025. This marks India's fourth term on the WHC, having previously served from 1985-1991, 2001-2007, and 2011-2015. Current WHC members include India, Argentina, Belgium, Italy, Ukraine, and Vietnam.

Youth and Professional Forums

Parallel meetings are scheduled alongside the plenary session at Bharat Mandapam. These include the World Heritage Young Professionals Forum from July 14-23 and the World Heritage Site Managers Forum from July 18-25. The Young Professionals Forum aims to foster intercultural learning and exchange among youth and heritage experts.

The Site Managers Forum focuses on collaborative and sustainable management practices for heritage sites. Both forums provide platforms for discussing common preservation concerns and exploring new roles in heritage conservation.

India's Contributions

India has 42 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List: 34 cultural sites, seven natural sites, and one mixed heritage site. In the last decade, twelve sites have been added to this list. Recent additions include Santiniketan in West Bengal and Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas in Karnataka during the Extended 45th Session held in Riyadh last year.

India ranks sixth globally and second in the Asia Pacific Region based on its number of World Heritage sites. Additionally, India has 57 sites on UNESCO's Tentative List.

The event promises to be a significant platform for exchanging ideas on preserving global heritage while showcasing India's rich cultural legacy and modern advancements.