Monitoring the state of conservation

Reactive monitoring missions and practical tools

Upon receipt of a SOC report, the Committee may appeal to ICOMOS for a reactive monitoring mission. Experts are then sent on site to assess the threats to the property’s outstanding universal value and to identify concrete actions to improve its state of conservation. These missions, paid for by the World Heritage Fund, may be carried out conjointly with the World Heritage Centre, IUCN or ICCROM. They lead to the preparation of a mission report, which is revised by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies before being transmitted to the State Party. 

To help States Parties deal with threats to World Heritage properties, such as urban development, natural disasters, armed conflicts or mass tourism, ICOMOS also produces studies and practical tools:

• Threats to World Heritage Sites 1994-2004: An Analysis
• Guidance on Heritage Impact Assessments for Cultural World Heritage Properties