UNESCO World Heritage Committee conference starts in Poland

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By CGTN's Yu Fengsheng, Yang Ran

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee has started its annual conference in Poland, bringing together 21 member states, more than 170 observer countries and many non-governmental organizations.

The agency's director, General Irina Bokova, opened the session at the Renaissance Wawel Castle, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 as part of the Historic Centre of Kraków.

During the opening ceremony, Bokova said the world has reached a consensus on the preservation of world heritage. She said this was deeply connected with human fate and has become the driving force of social stability and economic development.

"World heritage is not just a list of marvelous sites. It is a vision for peace, carved in stone and cultural landscapes with the power to change the minds of women and men to shape a different future for all," she added.

Tibetan antelopes in Hoh Xil. China has proposed Hoh Xil in Qinghai Province for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list. /VCG Photo

Delegates will discuss applications from 34 sites, including 26 cultural heritage sites, seven natural heritage sites and one dual heritage site.

Italy has the most biggest number of heritage sites listed with UNESCO at 51, followed by China with 50. Final approvals will be unveiled later this week.

Since its first meeting in Paris in 1977, the World Heritage Committee Conference has been held annually.

It aims to identify world heritage sites that are in danger, monitor the conservation of world heritage properties and manage the World Heritage Fund.

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