The Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention are a handbook outlining the relevant procedures for the protection and conservation of World Heritage properties, to support the effective implementation of the Convention. Since the first “Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention” was adopted in 1978, up to now, this Guide has been revised and supplemented 29 times to suit the practical situation of World Heritage management.

At the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, India (in July 2024), the Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention were revised in relation to: (1) Nomination process and (2) International support under the World Heritage Fund. In which:

1. Add the content of the requirement for the Upstream Process in section 121 for the nomination process: The requirement to undergo a Preliminary Assessment shall be disregarded for nominations of sites which have been subject to an Upstream Process on a specific site under the condition that the related nomination dossier is submitted within five years following reception of the report of Upstream Process advice. In this case, once a nomination is submitted, the related report of Upstream Process advice shall be annexed to it. The report of Upstream Process advice concerning a specific site is relevant for up to five years. After this period, either a new Upstream Process or a Preliminary Assessment is required if a nomination is not submitted by 1 February on the fifth year following the transmission of the Report to the concerned State(s) Party(ies).

2. Adjustments to international support: For proposals of Emergency Support, the minimum amount is adjusted from 10,000 USD to 75,000 USD; For proposals of Preparation Support, Management and Conservation Support, the minimum amount is adjusted from 10,001 USD to 40,000 USD.

Over the years, the Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the Guidelines for the Implementation of the Convention have played an important role in contributing to the effective implementation of the management, conservation and promotion of the values ​​of the World Heritage Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park.

Aiming to sustainably protect the outstanding global value of the Heritage, not only advising on the promulgation of the “Regulations on management and protection of the World Natural Heritage Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park” as well as continuing to implement the “Plan for sustainable forest management and protection of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, period 2021-2030”, The Management Board of National Park is currently actively coordinating with relevant agencies to advise on the development of a World Heritage Management Plan for Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, contributing to improving the effectiveness of activities to protect and promote the values of the heritage, as well as demonstrating serious acceptance of the recommendations of the World Heritage Committee through its Sessions for the World Natural Heritage of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park./.