The slogan promoting the Polish candidature, “Showing solidarity in heritage protection,” reflects the values that have characterised our involvement in UNESCO’s work over the last decades, that is respect for cultural diversity, responsibility for remembrance as well as readiness to cooperate and engage in intercultural dialogue. Thanks to our experience in post-conflict recovery and participation in various international conservation projects, Poland has been a steady contributor to the development of global protection standards.

Relevant initiatives that helped Poland gain ground within the UNESCO system include co-authoring and promoting the Warsaw Recommendation on Recovery and Reconstruction of Cultural Heritage damaged as a result of disasters and armed conflicts as well as organising the 41st session of the World Heritage Committee—one of the most prestigious events on cultural heritage preservation—in Kraków.

Poland’s mandate also shows recognition of the work of Polish institutions, experts, and conservation and restoration professionals, which have long been collaborating with partners around the globe to safeguard and restore sites of outstanding universal value. Polish expertise, which combines historical sensitivity, academic background, and a modern approach to heritage management, has earned high esteem internationally.

Membership of the World Heritage Committee will enable Poland to further strengthen global heritage protection mechanisms and encourage the idea of involving local communities in the process of managing World Heritage sites. We will also focus on fostering education projects and raising awareness of the significance of world heritage to peaceful and sustainable development.

The Polish diplomacy will work alongside national and international experts to continue the efforts for the protection of the world’s cultural and natural diversity. Electing Poland as one of the Committee members reaffirms our role as a responsible and committed partner that actively collaborates on the establishment of international heritage protection standards for the sake of future generations and in order to maintain the world’s diversity—the bedrock of understanding between the nations.

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The World Heritage Committee is tasked with evaluating nominations and deciding whether a property is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It also examines the state of conservation of inscribed properties and responds to threats affecting their value. Besides that, the Committee supports states in the management and conservation of World Heritage sites through advisory services and assistance programmes.