Verdensarvkomitéen

Verdensarvkomitéen, officially known as the World Heritage Committee, is the governing body of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Its primary function is to oversee the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, adopted by UNESCO in 1972. The Committee is composed of representatives from the 194 States Parties to the Convention.

The Committee meets annually to discuss and decide on the inscription of new sites onto the World Heritage List, which identifies and protects cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value. It also reviews the state of conservation of existing World Heritage sites and can place sites in danger on the List of World Heritage in Danger. Decisions are made by consensus, or by a two-thirds majority vote if consensus cannot be reached.

The Committee's work involves setting policies and guidelines for the management and protection of World Heritage sites. It also approves the UNESCO World Heritage Centre's program and budget. The members of the Committee are elected for a term of four years, with a maximum of two consecutive terms. The presidency of the Committee rotates annually among the member States. The Committee's sessions are open to observers from States not party to the Convention, as well as representatives of international organizations and NGOs.