Paris, UNESCO is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention, the text which launched the list of World Heritage sites.

Now ratified by 194 countries, the list features more than 1,100 sites, from the Machu Picchu in Peru to the Acropolis of Athens in Greece.

The World Heritage convention works to preserve and protect its sites, which once inscribed, can access World Heritage funds.

The recognition usually benefits the area with increased tourism, but this perk can be a double-edged sword.

UNESCO is expected to announce an action plan for the future of the World Heritage Convention to make the list more representative and make the sites more accessible and sustainable.

Source: Oman News Agency