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Bosnia and Herzegovina was elected today as a member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, by which, state's activities in the field of protection of cultural and natural heritage, as well as its commitment to enforcement of UNESCO conventions, was recognized.

The World Heritage Committee is composed of representatives of the 21 signatory countries to the World Heritage Convention. The Committee is responsible for the application of the World Heritage Convention, the use of the World Heritage Fund's resources, makes the final decision on the entry of goods on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and is responsible for the proper compliance of all regulations relating to the management and status of goods that are described on the World Heritage List.

Through membership in the World Heritage Committee, Bosnian and Herzegovinian experts in the field of preservation, protection and restoration of cultural monuments, will have the opportunity to contribute to preserving the world's cultural heritage and raising public awareness of this important issue through their many years of experience. Through membership in the World Heritage Committee, cooperation with the signatory states of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage will be intensified, as well as the exchange of experiences and good practices on the preservation of cultural heritage.

Bosnia and Herzegovina was elected as a member of the Committee during the 21st session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, which was held at the 39th session of the General Conference of UNESCO.

An initiative for candidacy, the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH started in 2016, after which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina gave its positive opinion, and the BiH Presidency adopted the Decision on Bosnia and Herzegovina's candidacy for this prestigious body. The Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have carried out numerous activities in the preparation and promotion of candidacies that resulted in the election of BiH as a member of the World Heritage Committee in the period 2018-2021.

Bosnia and Herzegovina was also a candidate in 2011 and 2015, and it is why this year's selection for a member of the World Heritage Committee is of exceptional importance.