Management plans for World Heritage sites serve as fundamental instruments for safeguarding Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) as required by UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention. However, contemporary realities—including climate change, rapid urbanization, development pressures, tourism impacts, illicit trafficking, and evolving governance contexts—reveal persistent shortcomings in how heritage planning fails to effectively address such complex challenges facing cultural, natural, and mixed World Heritage sites globally.

During the next ICOMOS General Assembly 17-24 October in Kuching/Malaysia, Session 1 of the Scientific Symposium will focus on the topic: “Heritage Management Planning Systems: Challenges, Lessons Learned and Potential New Approaches”. Chaired by OWHC Regional Coordinator Dr. Matthias Ripp and Secretary General of ICAHM, Dr. Matt Whincop, you are invited to hand in abstracts for this session. Deadline is 30 April 2026 – please find the official call here and more information on the conference and the scientific sessions under this link: www.icomosga2026.org.my/en/abstract/sessions