Opening this topic already, although the Livestream has not been put Live yet.

If someone in the Asia/Pacific time zones (@Durian?) could share the link here when it becomes active (10 am Seoul time, July 20), please do.
You can find it at the bottom of this page: https://whc.unesco.org/en/sessions/48COM/: it is https://whc.unesco.org/include/tool_video_bootstrap.cfm?youtubeid=-WegNyIIBu8

The first day of the session usually is not the most spectacular, but also keep an eye on a tab called Amendments that will be added to that same page.

First Amendments are in:
- To avert the In Danger inscription of Lake Ohrid (by Turkiye)
- To Remove Vienna from the Danger List (by Ukraine)

English Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/hwbYU2dgLfY?si=lnMxUhluE5Uw0uyF

French Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/V8P6PH6Yhbw

Korean Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/nZckLr8Pcbw?si=1JYgaClBfsVf48iW

Breakdown of the Opening Ceremony:

Entrance of the President of Korea 24:30
Opening Remarks and Changing of the Guard Ceremony 25:30 - 29.25
Visual Performance: Highlighting Korea's 17 World Heritage Sites 29:30 - 33:00
Cultural Dance Performance 33:20 - 41:20
Speech by Director-General 41:30 - 48:00
Speech by President of Korea 48:35 - 54:40
Speech by G-Dragon 55:40 - 57:40
Gate of Harmony - Gate of Reflection Performance 58:05 - 1:09:25

Here are time stamps in the English video. I bolded the most interesting parts for us viewers who are not inclined to watch the whole Opening Ceremony. President of Korea's speech highlight Kim Gu (Korean Independence Activist and Statesman) and the History of Busan. However, thousands of views and more than 1,000 likes mostly thanks to G-Dragon!

Thanks for the highlights! I've been watching another event right now so its good to get your overview. In synergy, there was also a Korean cultural dance performance at the World Cup final, though I'm guessing it was a bit different than the one you got to watch.

- Good morning from Asia! The first day of the 2026 World Heritage Committee (WHC) session is underway.
- The livestream began at 10:12 a.m. local time.
- Chairperson Mr. Lee Byong-hun called the meeting to order. He welcomed participants in English and also delivered part of his opening remarks in French.
- Mr. Khaled El-Enary, UNESCO's Director-General, then took the floor. He noted that World Heritage holds a special place for his home country, Egypt, and emphasized the importance of the World Heritage Convention.
- He expressed the goal that every country should eventually have at least one World Heritage Site and encouraged the Committee to support nominations that would advance this objective.
- By the way, he appeared more comfortable speaking French than English, although he used both languages during his remarks.

some kind of minister of Korea heritage welcome in Korean, talking about the goal of collaboration, the city of Busan, new agenda for 5Cs:
- Credibility
- Conservation
- Capacity-building
- Communication
- Communities
+ Collaboration to enhance 5Cs to make interconnected world
Wow I felt like listening to my boss when announce his yearly corporate vision!!

At 10.46 the official session is opened! Chairperson set rule, time is essential, 3 minutes for intervention per state members, 2 minutes for other observers!

Admission of Observers:
- 646 observers were registered.
- Ukraine sought to expel two Russian organizations and experts from the list of observers, arguing that they support Russia's war against Ukraine and are involved in other illegal activities, including the transfer of children from Siberia to Crimea.
- The Chairperson asked Ukraine to conclude its intervention, noting that it had gone on too long, and suggested that the proposal be submitted through the Rapporteur.
- The Chairperson reaffirmed the three-minute speaking limit.
- The Legal Advisers consulted quietly with the Chairperson, after which the discussion was closed.
- Czechia requested clarification from the WHC regarding Ukraine's concerns.
- WHC Secretariat clarified that the criteria for observer status are based solely on conservation-related activities under the Convention. If the Russian organizations meet those criteria, they are eligible to be observers.
- Ukraine argued that the activities of the two organizations are linked to actions that violate the UN Charter and UNESCO principles.
- The Secretariat confirmed that the admission of the Russian organizations had been carried out in compliance with the Convention.
- Ukraine remained dissatisfied, but the Chairperson decided to proceed.
- The Rapporteur presented Ukraine's amendment to expel the two Russian organizations.
- The room remained silent, with neither support nor opposition expressed.
- Türkiye stated that Ukraine's action seemed inappropriate at this stage, as more time was needed to examine the activities of the two organizations.
- The decision was adopted. Ukraine achieved its objective, although the amended decision did not mention Russia and referred only to the names of the organizations concerned.
- Russia argued that it should have been given the opportunity to express its views before the decision was adopted and described the decision as regrettable, noting that the two organizations are well known for protecting the culture of indigenous peoples.
- The Secretariat also expressed regret about the decision and, in my understanding, indicated that it would continue to work with all organizations engaged in protecting cultural heritage.

Adoption of the Agenda and Timetable

Adopted with no comment

Report of the Rapporteur of previous session
Adopted with no comment

Budget account issue
- Set up working group & Azerbaijan will run as chairman.

Adaptation of Busan Declaration
- Adopted with no discussion. Collaboration will add as 6Cs

Report of the WHC on its activities and implementation of WHC decision last year

- Thanks to Andorra, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, China, Germany, Belgium (Flander only), Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Saudi Arabia, S. Korea and Spain for GENEROUSLY Support extra-budgetary positions.
- New guidance on wind and solar energy with heritage site!

There is message from the young professional and then lunch break. Some complaint on temperature in the hall is too cold! For the afternoon session that will start 15.00 local time I will skip as I have to work, and the topic of the session is TBH not interesting!