India will host the 46th World Heritage Committee Meeting from July 21 to 31 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This is the first time India is hosting this significant event, which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay and other high-level dignitaries, including Culture Ministers and Ambassadors, will also attend.
Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, announced that the meeting would highlight India’s diverse cultural and natural heritage, further enhancing India’s global cultural influence. He praised the Culture Ministry for organizing the event in just 40 days, emphasizing its role in strengthening India’s soft power.
The event’s logo, inspired by the stone chariot at Hampi’s Vijaya Vitthala Temple, reflects India’s architectural grandeur. The logo’s tagline, “May our Glory Grow,” is derived from an ancient Sanskrit scripture and signifies India’s commitment to expanding the scope of the World Heritage Convention.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is organizing the meeting on behalf of the Ministry of Culture. Delegates from around the world will discuss preserving cultural, natural, and mixed heritage. This event is a significant step for India in promoting global cooperation and protecting World Heritage sites.
The World Heritage Committee, comprising representatives from 21 countries, will focus on identifying and inscribing new sites on the World Heritage List, monitoring the conservation of listed sites, and examining requests for international assistance.
Parallel events include the World Heritage Young Professionals Forum and the World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum, focusing on sustainable heritage management and fostering intercultural exchange.
Side events and exhibitions will showcase India’s rich culture, digital advancements, and traditional medicinal practices. Foreign delegates will be introduced to India’s digital payment system, UPI-One World, and can explore exhibitions on traditional crafts, Ayurveda, and more. Curated tours to heritage sites will also be organized.
India has been a member of the World Heritage Committee for four terms and currently has 42 properties on the World Heritage List, including cultural, natural, and mixed heritage sites. Twelve sites were added in the last decade, with the latest being Santiniketan and Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas.
By Manish Poswal
