Implementation of the World Heritage Convention by the Independent Pacific Island States

Abstract

This chapter provides an introduction to the World Heritage Convention and its implementation by the independent Pacific Island States. It explains the key features of the Convention and the World Heritage Committee’s Operational Guidelines. It then discusses the Committee’s adoption of the Global Strategy for a Representative, Balanced and Credible World Heritage List, and explains why few sites in the Pacific have been listed. The chapter argues that strengthening the legal protection of Pacific Island heritage could lead to greater Pacific representation on the World Heritage List, as well as helping to safeguard the region’s important cultural and natural sites.