On 29 June, during the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee in Bonn, Germany, the Chairs of the six UNESCO culture conventions met for the first time to discuss ways to work together more effectively.
In the context of the 70th anniversary of UNESCO, this provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the future of the Organization’s standard-setting action in the face of contemporary challenges and emerging needs. This is particularly important as the international community advances towards the definition of the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda, in which the linkages between culture, development and peace should be fully recognized and projected forward.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Chairs released a statement outlining their concerns and emphasizing the need for a renewed political will to support UNESCO’s culture conventions and encouraging the United Nations to ensure that the protection, safeguarding and understanding of cultural and natural heritage, cultural diversity and creative expression worldwide be recognized as a cross-cutting issue in the implementation of the interrelated goals of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.
The statement also recommends that the Chairpersons meet regularly to evaluate progress and form a common vision going forward.
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