The World Heritage Centre is the focal point and coordinator within UNESCO for all matters related to World Heritage. As the permanent Secretariat to the World Heritage Convention, it is responsible for all statutory and policy matters of the sessions of the World Heritage Committee. In this context, it provides advice to States Parties regarding the preparation of nominations for the World Heritage List, organises international assistance from the World Heritage Fund upon request, and coordinates both the reporting on the condition of sites and the emergency action undertaken when a site is threatened.

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With headquarters in Berlin and a network of 229 missions abroad, the Federal Foreign Office maintains Germany’s relations with other countries and international as well as supra-national organisations. Along with political and economic relations, cultural relations is one of the three cornerstones of German foreign policy. The federal Foreign Office contributes through Germany’s membership to the achievements of UNESCO e.g. by financing, co-organising and chairing the 39th session of the World Heritage Committee in Bonn.

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The German Commission for UNESCO is one of 199 National Commissions established under Article VII of the UNESCO Constitution. It acts as an intermediary of Germany’s cultural relations and education policy, and is funded by the Federal Foreign Office. It provides advice and liaison for all public stakeholders on UNESCO issues as well as on other issues of multilateral policy in education, culture and science. The German Commission for UNESCO was responsible for all organisational, logistical matters and public relations of the 39th session.

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