“Heritage recognized by UNESCO as having Outstanding Universal Value that should be protected for the benefit of all humanity”

In 1960, the international community launched the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia, to protect the endangered ancient Nubian monuments and sites threatened by inundation due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam in Egypt. With the support of UNESCO and 50 donor states, the relocation and restoration campaign was carried out over a period of 20 years.

The campaign led up to the adoption of the 'World Heritage Convention' at the UNESCO General Assembly in 1972 to ensure the permanent protection of heritage of historical significance to humankind.

What is the World Heritage Tentative List?

A tentative list is submitted to UNESCO by the State Party for the purpose of inscription on the World Heritage list. It must be submitted at least one year prior to the submitting the nomination dossier for World Heritage, and heritage not included in the tentative list cannot be inscribed as a World Heritage.

What is a World Heritage Preliminary Assessment?

The preliminary assessment is a new system introduced by UNESCO to prepare high-quality nominations and increase the likelihood of World Heritage inscription through prior consultations with advisory bodies from the initial stages of preparation (operated as a pilot program from 2022 to 2027, mandatory from 2028).

Process for the Inscription on the World Heritage List

Domestic Process

Deliberation at the National Heritage Committee of the Korea Heritage Service

Tentative
List

Listed on the
Priority List

Become a candidate
for the nomination
process

Prepare a nomination dossier

International Process

Deliberation by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee

Tentative
List

Preliminary
Assessment

Nomination
Dossier
Submission

Advisory
Body
Evaluation

World Heritage
Committee
Deliberation /
Decision