United States Mission to UNESCO

Monticello

Yosemite National Park

The U.S. was the first signatory of the 1972 UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which supports the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage worldwide that is considered to be of "outstanding value to humanity."

The U.S. Mission works with the UNESCO Secretariat and member states to promote better management of the World Heritage Centre.

At the 2005 UNESCO General Assembly of State Parties, the U.S. was elected to a term on the World Heritage Committee and served for four years. The Committee administers the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention, which includes inscribing new sites on the World Heritage list, establishing the World Heritage list of endangered sites, and promoting effective management and preservation plans for nominated and inscribed sites.

In addition to its work on the World Heritage Committee, the U.S. demonstrates its commitment to cultural preservation by working closely with the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of State's Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation.