The Closing Event of the Celebration of the 40th Anniversary
of the World Heritage Convention
Kyoto, Japan, 6-8 November 2012

November 8, 2012

To commemorate the 40th Anniversary year of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the Government of Japan (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Agency of Cultural Affairs, Ministry of the Environment and Forestry Agency) and UNESCO World Heritage Centre will jointly organize the closing event (Programme) [PDF] in Kyoto, Japan, from 6 to 8 November 2012.

Since the official launch of the anniversary year on the occasion of the 18th session of the World Heritage General Assembly in November 2011, numerous national, regional and global events have been organized by a number of States Parties to celebrate the 40th anniversary, within the overall anniversary theme of "World Heritage and Sustainable Development: the Role of Local Communities." The closing event in Kyoto will present the year's activities and conclusions drawn from them. Reflecting upon the founding spirit of the Convention, as well as its achievements and evolution over the past four decades, the event will also discuss the present day significance of World Heritage to humanity and the future of the Convention.

All the States Parties to the Convention, Advisory Bodies, cultural and natural heritage experts and all stakeholders involved in World Heritage are invited to attend the closing event.

We hope to see you in Kyoto!

• The Closing Event of the Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the World Heritage Convention Overview and Evaluation (November 9, 2012)
• The Kyoto Vision (November 8, 2012)
• Youth Programme on the occasion of the Closing Event of the Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the World Heritage Convention (November 20, 2012)
• World Heritage

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