On June 9, 2010, a delegation led by Mr. Francesco Bandarin, Assistant-Director General for Culture and Director of the World Heritage Centre, paid a visit to UNESCO Centre on Space Technologies for Cultural and Natural Heritage(WHIST) located in CEODE.

CAS’s Proposal of the WHIST was approved at the 35th General Assembly in October of 2009. It was CEODE who established and maintained the operational roles and responsibilities, including institution building, capacity building in human resource, and sustainable S&T development.

Prof. Guo Huadong, Director-General of CEODE, presented a warm and courteous welcome to the visitors. In his briefing on WHIST, Prof. Guo introduced its background, functions, overall objectives and the progress achieved so far in the scientific projects.

Mr. Bandarin offered his heartiest congratulations on WHIST's success in the natural and cultural heritage research via space technologies. He also invited Prof. Guo to attend the 35th World Heritage Convention which will be held in Bahrain in 2011.

The two parties exchanged their views on WHIST's strategic development in the long run. It is expected that the meeting will lay a solid foundation for further cooperation in the protection, monitoring and management of world heritage sites.

Discussion session