UNESCO Tentative Lists: The Pathway to World Heritage Status
Before a site can be officially recognized as a World Heritage Site, it must first undergo a rigorous preparatory process. Central to this journey is the Tentative List—a provisional inventory of cultural monuments and protected areas that individual nations intend to nominate for UNESCO recognition in the future.
Managed by the States Parties to the "Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage" (the World Heritage Convention), these lists serve as a roadmap for heritage preservation and international recognition.
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Understanding the Terminology
While the English term used by UNESCO is "Tentative List," the concept is described differently across various languages. In French and Spanish, it is referred to as the liste indicative or lista indicativa, which translates to a "non-binding list." In Italian, the English term is commonly adopted as a loanword. In German, the Federal Foreign Office uses the term Vorschlagsliste, or "Proposal List," describing it as an inventory of properties within a state's territory that are considered suitable for inscription on the World Heritage List.
The Nomination Procedure and Timeline
The transition from a tentative entry to an official World Heritage Site is a highly regulated process. Member States typically submit their Proposal Lists to UNESCO with the intention of nominating specific sites within a five to ten-year window.
Submission Rules and Limits
To maintain a structured selection process, UNESCO enforces specific rules regarding how many sites a country can nominate:
- Annual Limits: Currently, a state can nominate a maximum of one site per year to the World Heritage Committee.
- Prerequisites: A site must have been included on a national Tentative List for at least one year before it can be formally nominated.
- Historical Context: Between 2006 and 2018, countries were permitted to submit two proposals per year. Prior to that period, there was no upper limit on the number of submissions.
- Deadlines: All applications must be submitted by the respective state no later than February 1 of the given year.
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Review and Decision Making
When a state submits a nomination, it simultaneously commits to the ongoing maintenance and protection of those monuments. The evaluation process involves specialized advisory bodies:
- ICOMOS: The International Council on Monuments and Sites reviews applications related to cultural monuments.
- IUCN: The International Union for Conservation of Nature reviews applications related to protected natural areas.
These organizations submit detailed reports containing their findings and recommendations to the World Heritage Committee. The Committee then meets in the year following the nomination to make a final decision on whether the site will be officially inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Global Participation and National Lists
The participation in this process is widespread. As of 2020, the World Heritage Committee has received proposal lists from 185 of the 194 states that are parties to the World Heritage Convention. The remaining nine states parties do not currently have a list, which may be due to several reasons:
- The state has not yet submitted a list.
- Previously listed sites have already been successfully designated as World Heritage Sites.
- Sites were rejected by UNESCO.
- The state has withdrawn its previous nominations.
Summary of the Nomination Process
| Stage | Entity Responsible | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|
| Tentative List | State Party | Provisional inventory of potential sites. |
| Nomination | State Party | Formal application submitted by February 1. |
| Technical Review | ICOMOS / IUCN | Scientific evaluation of cultural or natural value. |
| Final Decision | World Heritage Committee | Official inscription or rejection of the site. |
Key Facts
- The Tentative List is non-binding and serves as a preliminary inventory.
- States must wait at least one year after a site is on the Tentative List before nominating it.
- The deadline for annual nominations is February 1.
- ICOMOS evaluates cultural sites, while IUCN evaluates natural protected areas.
- As of 2020, 185 out of 194 states parties have submitted proposal lists.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main purpose of a Tentative List?
The Tentative List acts as a provisional inventory where countries list the cultural and natural sites they intend to nominate for World Heritage status in the future.
How many sites can a country nominate each year?
Under current regulations, a state is permitted to nominate a maximum of one site per year to the World Heritage Committee.
Who evaluates the sites submitted for nomination?
Cultural monuments are reviewed by ICOMOS, while protected natural areas are reviewed by the IUCN. Both bodies provide recommendations to the World Heritage Committee.
Can a site be nominated immediately after being added to the Tentative List?
No. A site must remain on the national Tentative List for a minimum of one year before a formal nomination can be submitted.
What happens if a site is rejected by UNESCO?
If a site is rejected, it does not appear on the World Heritage List. This may result in a state having no active proposal list if all their previously submitted sites were rejected or withdrawn.