The World Heritage Committee meets once a year, and consists of representatives from 21 of the States Parties (States Parties are countries which have adhered to the World Heritage Convention, they thereby agree to identify and nominate properties on their national territory to be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List) to the Convention elected by their General Assembly.

The Committee is responsible for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties. It has the final say on whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List. The Committee can also defer its decision and request further information on properties from the States Parties. It examines reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties and asks States Parties to take action when properties are not being properly managed. It also decides on the inscription or deletion of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.