India Hosts 46th World Heritage Committee Session with PM Modi Inaugurating

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Sunday. The event will also feature an address by PM Modi and the attendance of UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

Expressing his excitement on X, Prime Minister Modi stated, “It’s a matter of immense joy that India is hosting the meeting of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi. This is the first time our nation is hosting this Committee. I look forward to attending the programme at 7 PM tomorrow evening. This is an important forum to exchange views on ways to preserve our heritage.”

This is India's first time hosting the World Heritage Committee Meeting, which will take place from July 21 to 31, 2024. The Committee meets annually to manage World Heritage matters and decide on new site inscriptions. Key discussions will include proposals for new World Heritage sites, State of Conservation reports for 124 existing sites, International Assistance, and utilising World Heritage Funds. The meeting will see participation from over 2,000 delegates representing more than 150 countries.

The World Heritage Young Professionals’ Forum and World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum will also be held in conjunction with the World Heritage Committee Meeting. Additionally, various exhibitions will be set up at Bharat Mandapam to showcase India's rich culture.

The Return of Treasures Exhibition will display some of the 350 artefacts that have been retrieved and brought back to India. Using the latest AR and VR technologies, visitors can enjoy 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. The 'Incredible India' exhibition will highlight India's cultural heritage, ancient civilization, geographical diversity, tourism destinations, and advancements in Information Technology and infrastructure.