On 18 February 2016, the participants in the first Thematic Expert Consultation meeting on sustainable management of World Heritage properties of Religious Interest focused on South-Eastern and Mediterranean Europe successfully adopted conclusions and recommendations. The adopted conclusions and recommendations will contribute to the development, by the World Heritage Centre, in consultation with the Advisory Bodies, of a thematic paper proposing to States Parties general guidance regarding the management of their cultural and natural heritage of religious interest, as requested by the World Heritage Committee. It is hoped that this first regional thematic consultation will be the first of many more come, and that the adopted conclusions and recommendations will provide useful guidance for ensuing consultations.
A report will be submitted to the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session (Istanbul, July 2016).
