Monitoring the state of conservation

Reactive monitoring and SOC reports

ICOMOS is actively involved in the reactive monitoring process set up by the World Heritage Committee to ensure an effective protection and conservation of sites. In this regard, it continuously collects and analyzes information regarding the state of conservation of World Heritage properties and the dangers likely to have an impact on their Outstanding Universal Value. This information comes from various sources: reports submitted by States Parties, data provided by third-party organizations or individuals, press articles, etc. All the information is gathered in state of conservation reports (SOC), jointly prepared by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies once a year. These SOC reports are then presented in the form of a working document to the World Heritage Committee, which then makes requests to States Parties concerning the necessary measures to be taken to safeguard the sites.