× 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. Other matters - Balance between natural and cultural properties Type du document Décision Numéro de référence XVII.57 Date Oct 22, 1979 SourceUNEP, InforMEA Statut active Sujet Espèces sauvages et écosystèmes Traité Convention concernant la protection du patrimoine mondial, culturel et naturel (Nov 23, 1972) Réunion 3e session du Comité Site web whc.unesco.org Résumé The working group on natural criteria also reported to the Committee on its concern at the relatively low number of natural properties so far included in the World Heritage List. It considered that, if the List gave an initial impression of being a list of cultural properties, it would deter further nominations of natural properties. The working group was also concerned that the delegations of States Members at the third session of the Committee did not include a sufficient number of specialists in the natural heritage field which reduced the Committee's ability to evaluate properly natural properties. In order to increase the awareness of the Committee and of States Parties of the need to redress this situation, the working group made two specific recommendations to the Committee: (i) that in future a quorum for a meeting of the Committee should require, in addition to a majority of States Members at least five delegates among the delegations with expertise in natural heritage; and (ii) that, in allocating funds for assistance to States, not more than 60% should be allocated to either cultural or natural properties.