Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) on Sunday. This is a major event of UNESCO. India is hosting it for the first time from 21 to 31 July. The Prime Minister's Office has said that UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay will also attend the inaugural ceremony at Bharat Mandapam. Prime Minister Modi will address the gathering on this occasion.

More than two thousand delegates from more than 150 countries will participate

More than two thousand delegates from over 150 countries will participate in the meeting. During the 11-day session, proposals for nominating new sites to UNESCO's World Heritage List, the state of conservation reports of 124 existing World Heritage properties, international assistance and the use of the World Heritage Fund, among others, will be discussed.

More than 350 artifacts have been returned so far

The World Heritage Young Professionals Forum and the World Heritage Site Managers Forum are being organised alongside the World Heritage Committee meeting. In addition, various exhibitions will be held at the Bharat Mandapam to showcase Indian culture. The Return of Treasures exhibition will showcase some of the artefacts brought back to the country. Over 350 artefacts have been brought back so far.

Additionally, an immersive experience will be provided using the latest AR and VR technologies for 3 World Heritage Sites of India – Rani ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat; Kailasa Temple, Ellora Caves, Maharashtra; and Hoysala Temples, Halebid, Karnataka.

Besides, an 'Incredible India' exhibition will also be organised to highlight India's rich cultural heritage, age-old civilisation, geographical diversity, tourist destinations as well as modern developments in the field of information technology and infrastructure.