ICOMOS
International
ICOMOS works worldwide to protect cultural heritage through expertise, international cooperation, and the development of global conservation standards.
Global Impact
Six decades of shaping how the world understands, protects, and transmits cultural heritage
World Heritage Properties
Nominations Evaluated
National Committees
Members Worldwide
What is ICOMOS?
ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) is a global non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation and protection of cultural heritage places.
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Advises UNESCO on World Heritage Sites
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Develops international conservation standards
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Brings together a global network of experts
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Promotes best practices in heritage protection
From global concern to international action
A Brief History of ICOMOS
ICOMOS was created in response to the need for a unified international approach to protecting cultural heritage
The Venice Charter establishes international principles for the conservation and restoration of monuments and sites.
ICOMOS is founded to promote and apply these principles on a global scale.
ICOMOS becomes a key advisory body to UNESCO under the World Heritage Convention.
A worldwide network of national and scientific committees is established.
ICOMOS plays a central role in heritage conservation, policy, and international cooperation.
What Does ICOMOS Do?
World Heritage Advisory
Evaluates sites for UNESCO inscription
Capacity Building
Provides training and knowledge sharing
International Collaboration
Connects experts and institutions worldwide
Standards & Charters
Develops international conservation frameworks
Monitoring & Evaluation
Assesses the condition of heritage sites
Advocacy
Protects heritage under any threat that might impose
Setting global standards for heritage conservation
Development of Standards and Charters
ICOMOS contributes to the development of doctrinal and normative texts that define the principles and standards guiding the conservation of cultural heritage worldwide. These include international charters, guidelines, and recommendations that establish shared approaches to heritage conservation.
While not legally binding, these texts serve as key reference frameworks for heritage professionals, governments, and international organizations, including UNESCO. They inform decision-making processes, shape conservation policies, and support the evaluation of heritage sites, particularly within the World Heritage system.
Collective expertise: Through its network of International Scientific Committees and national committees, ICOMOS brings together multidisciplinary expertise to continuously refine these principles in response to evolving challenges in heritage conservation.
The texts developed by these professionals form the backbone of ICOMOS’s advisory role to UNESCO and underpin World Heritage evaluations.
Core Areas Addressed
Authenticity
Integrity
Restoration
Management
Sustainable Use
ICOMOS & UNESCO
Since 1972, ICOMOS has served as the principal advisory body to UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee
on matters relating to cultural and mixed heritage sites.
How a Site Becomes World Heritage
Beyond Nominations
ICOMOS’s role doesn’t end at inscription. The organization conducts reactive monitoring missions when a listed site faces threats, from urban encroachment and climate change to armed conflict. These missions result in State of Conservation reports presented to the Committee.
ICOMOS also contributes to upstream processes, advising countries during the early stages of nomination preparation to strengthen dossiers and avoid common pitfalls.
To date, ICOMOS has evaluated over 1,600 nominations and contributed to monitoring hundreds of the 1,199 properties currently on the World Heritage List.
Global Structure
ICOMOS operates through a three-pillar structure that connects local expertise to international action.
The International Secretariat — Charenton-le-Pont, France
The permanent administrative hub of ICOMOS, located near Paris. The Secretariat coordinates World Heritage evaluation missions, manages institutional relationships with UNESCO and partner organizations, supports the work of all committees, and publishes key documents including scientific proceedings and annual reports. It is led by the Director General under the authority of the elected Board.
110+ National Committees
Each committee represents ICOMOS in its country – advocating for heritage protection, advising governments, organizing training, and connecting local professionals to the global network. They also nominate members to International Scientific Committees and contribute to World Heritage monitoring.
Membership in ICOMOS is held through a National Committee. Each committee is an independent legal entity governed by its own statutes.
28+ International Scientific Committees
Specialized bodies that advance knowledge in focused areas of heritage conservation.
They produce doctrinal texts, organize symposia, and serve as expert pools for evaluation and advisory missions.
The General Assembly
The supreme governing body of ICOMOS, bringing together delegates from around the world
Every 3 Years
100+ National Committees
500+ Delegates
What Happens at the Assembly
- Elects the President and Board of Directors
- Adopts resolutions on heritage conservation policies
- Approves the triennial work programme and budget
- Hosts a scientific symposium on a key heritage theme
- Reviews reports from National and Scientific Committees
The International Secretariat
The Secretariat coordinates ICOMOS activities between assemblies. It manages World Heritage evaluations, supports committees, and maintains institutional relations with UNESCO and partner organizations. It also publishes proceedings from each General Assembly, documenting resolutions and decisions that guide heritage conservation worldwide.
Interested in joining an International Scientific Committee?
Learn more about participation and guiding principles such as the Eger–Xi’an Principles.
