The conservation of world heritage is facing vital challenge and joint efforts from all countries are needed, said a senior official with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

"Nearly half of the declared World Heritage are scattered in Europe, which indicates a very imbalance situation worldwide," said Mounir Bouchenaki, UNESCO assistant director-general for culture in Suzhou Monday.

"Many underdeveloped and developing countries are lacking of fund and expertise, which made them unable to apply for the qualification of World Heritage and carry out proper conservation," Bouchenaki told the ongoing 28th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

In a bid to change the situation, UNESCO has offered series of international assistance, involving preparation work for world heritage application, conservation plan, training, technical cooperation and emergency aid, he said.

The UNESCO passed a convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage in 1972, requiring all countries to protect cultural and natural heritage located on its territory, and to help other states do the same.

Relics in many countries and regions have benefited from international economic and technological assistance, the official said, taking the remove of Nubian relics in Egypt as example.

International aid and cooperation could revitalize those relics in danger and that's a basic method to protect the common heritage of human beings, Bouchenaki said.
 
(Xinhua News Agency July 5, 2004)