× Information on this section of ECOLEX comes from the InforMEA Portal which compiled information from MEA Secretariats with the support of the European Union. The accuracy of the information displayed is the responsibility of the originating data source. In case of discrepancy the information as displayed on the respective MEA website prevails. Opening of the session Document type Decision Reference number II.4 Date Jun 27, 1977 SourceUNEP, InforMEA Status Active Subject Wild species & ecosystems Treaty Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (Nov 23, 1972) Meeting 1ère session du Comité Website whc.unesco.org Abstract After welcoming the representatives of States members of the Committee, the Director-General underlined the importance of the meeting for the pursuit of one of the fundamental objectives of the Organization - the promotion of the preservation and presentation of the cultural and natural heritage of mankind. He stressed the innovative character of the World Heritage Convention under which the Committee was established: for the first time, an international convention was concerned with both the cultural and the natural elements of the environment of man and, again for the first time, the international community as a whole was called upon to assume responsibility for protecting the cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value. He expressed the hope that action taken by the Committee would not induce States Parties to neglect that part of their heritage that would not be included in the World Heritage List. The Director-General also recalled the different tasks before the Committee, referring in particular to the establishment of the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger and to the provision of international co-operation under the World Heritage Fund. Before concluding, he thanked the Rome Centre, ICOMOS and IUCN for their valuable assistance in preparing the documentation for the meeting and expressed his conviction that the same spirit of co-operation with these three organizations would continue to prevail.