The World Heritage Committee will consider the inscription of 33 sites on the World Heritage List during its meeting from June 24 – July 6 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Palestine, which became a member of Unesco in October 2011 and subsequently ratified the World Heritage Convention, will be presenting its first site for inscription on the World Heritage List.

Five natural sites are to be considered for inscription:

• Chad, Lakes of Ounianga; China, Chengjian Fossil Site; Congo, Cameroon and Central African Republic, Sangha Trinational; India, Western Ghats; Russian Federation, Lena Pillars Nature Park.

 Two “mixed sites” are to be considered for inscription for their natural and cultural values:

 • Israel, Sites of Human Evolution at Mount Carmel: The Nahal Me’arot / Wadi Al Mughara caves; Palau, Rock islands Southern Lagoon.

 Twenty-six cultural sites are to be considered:

 • Bahrain, Pearling, testimony of an island economy;

• Belgium, Major Mining Sites of Wallonia;

• Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Carioca Landscapes between the Mountain and the Sea;

• Canada, Landscape of Grand Pré;

• China, Site of Xanadu;

• Côte d’Ivoire, Historic Town of Grand-Bassam;

• Croatia, Sacral Complex on the remains of the Roman Forum in Zadar;

• France, Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin;

• Germany, Margravial Opera House Bayreuth;

• Germany, Schwetzingen: A Prince Elector’s Summer Residence;

• India, Hill Forts of Rajasthan;

• Indonesia, Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: The Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy;

• Islamic Republic of Iran, Masjed-e Jāmé of Isfahan;

• Islamic Republic of Iran, Gonbad-e Qābus;

• Italy, Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero and Monferrato;

• Malaysia, Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley;

• Morocco, Rabat, modern capital and historic city: a shared heritage;

• Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem;

• Portugal, Garrison Border Town of Elvas and its Fortifications;

• Qatar, Al Zubarah Archaeological Site;

• Russian Federation, Russian Kremlins;

• Senegal, Bassari Country: Bassari, Fula and Bedik Cultural Landscapes;

• Slovenia and Spain; Heritage of Mercury. Almadén and Idrija;

• Sweden, Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland;

• Turkey, Neolithic site of Çatalhöyük;

• Ukraine, Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral with related Monastic Buildings, St. Cyril’s and St. Andrew’s Churches (extension).