Preparing World Heritage nominations

The manual is based on the version of the "Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention" dated January 2008 and seeks to complement it. In particular, the manual seeks to support States Parties in implementing the World Heritage Convention and to provide guidance and knowledge that will help to ensure a credible World Heritage List of well-managed properties of Outstanding Universal Value. As requested by the World Heritage Committee and States Parties, it is an attempt to support States Parties at any early stage of the research process – upstream of the point at which a nomination is submitted for formal evaluation – as the Advisory Bodies evaluating nominations, ICOMOS and IUCN, cannot work directly on the preparation of specific nominations. However, it is hoped that the manual will help States Parties to carefully consider the implications of proceeding with World Heritage nominations and take the necessary steps to ensure that the effort is worthwhile for both the conservation of the property and the well-being of local communities and other local stakeholders.