International assisstance in the system of world heritage protection

The important role of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in the protection of unique natural complexes is stated. The article reveals the existence of misconceptions in public opinion about the amount of financial assistance provided through the World Heritage Fund. The article analyzes the normative grounds for the provision of international assistance within the framework of the procedures enshrined in the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, and states the obligation to preserve the natural heritage on the States where the properties in question are located. The institutional system of granting international assistance within the framework of the World Heritage protection system is characterized. The procedure of formation of the World Heritage Fund is analyzed, the problems of sufficiency of its resources for international assistance are revealed. The article shows the increasing complexity of works on evaluation of nomination materials for properties on the World Heritage List and monitoring missions financed by the World Heritage Fund. Problems of efficiency of spending of the Fund’s resources are identified, related to the lack of competition for the provision of advisory services to the World Heritage Committee and non-transparent pricing of sub-executors contracted by the Advisory Bodies. It is concluded that the size of the World Heritage Fund is insufficient to finance major projects on World Heritage properties. Statistical data on the amount of international assistance provided to individual World Heritage properties is presented. The important ideological significance of the Convention is stated, demonstrating the commitment to the common cause of all mankind to preserve the unique works of man and nature and to transfer them to future generations.