At its 15th extraordinary session, held online on March 29, 2021, the World Heritage Committee decided to hold its 44th session from July 16 to 31, 2021. In light of developments in the world related to the COVID-19 pandemic and travel restrictions, the conference will be convened mainly in a virtual format, with the main venue set in Fuzhou, China.
Hosted by Tian Xuejun, China’s Vice Education Minister, Chair of Chinese National Commission for UNESCO and Chair of the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee, the extraordinary session was attended by UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone R., Director of World Heritage Centre Mechtild Rossler, and representatives of 21 members of the World Heritage Committee. Representatives of Parties to the World Heritage Convention attended the meeting as observers.