Chapter 4.8 of the Report to the Storting (white paper) no. 35 (2012-2013) - The Cultural Heritage Policy specifically tackles the aspect of World Heritage and sets out the Norwegian policy on World Heritage management in Norway.
World Heritage properties require protection to safeguard their Outstanding Universal Value. The management of World Heritage properties includes the involvement of a range of sectors and stakeholders including several ministries, each with sector responsibilities concerning the cultural and natural heritage, as well as national, regional and local authorities. The policy has been created as a response to an increased focus on the management of world heritage properties, as well as the need for clarifying roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders and to allow for better coordination and collaboration between the different sectors involved in the management and conservation of World Heritage properties.
Norway was among the first countries to become a State Party to the World Heritage Convention after ratifying it in 1977. Norway’s high ambition in effectively implementing the World Heritage Convention has been the key driver for the development of a policy focused on clarifying roles and responsibilities on the matter of World Heritage management and conservation.
The policy implemented through Chapter 4.8 of the Report to the Storting (white paper) no. 35 (2012-2013) is perceived as successful, and the priorities have been continued in the new white paper on cultural heritage presented in 2020, Report to the Storting (white paper) no. 16 (2019-2020) Nye mål i kulturmiljøpolitikken. Engasjement, bærekraft og mangfold" ("New goals for the cultural heritage policy – engagement, sustainability and diversity" (unofficial translation)).
The adoption of the policy has led to increased focus on the roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders in the management of World Heritage properties.