Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee on 21st July at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. He will also deliver a speech at the event. UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, will be present at the inauguration.

This is the first time India is hosting the World Heritage Committee Meeting. The event will run from 21st to 31st July at Bharat Mandapam. The Committee, which meets annually, manages all matters related to World Heritage sites and decides on new sites to be added to the World Heritage list. During this session, they will discuss nominations for new World Heritage sites, conservation reports for 124 existing sites, international assistance, and the use of World Heritage Funds. More than 2000 delegates from over 150 countries are expected to attend.

In addition to the main meeting, there will be a World Heritage Young Professionals’ Forum and a World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum.

Various exhibitions will also be held at Bharat Mandapam to showcase India’s culture. The “Return of Treasures” exhibition will display artefacts that have been brought back to India, totaling over 350 items so far. Advanced AR and VR technologies will offer immersive experiences of three Indian World Heritage sites: Rani ki Vav in Patan, Gujarat; Kailasa Temple at Ellora Caves, Maharashtra; and Hoysala Temple in Halebid, Karnataka. Additionally, the “Incredible India” exhibition will highlight India’s rich cultural heritage, geographical diversity, tourist destinations, and modern advancements in IT and infrastructure.