The report also found membership of heritage groups were the highest they had ever been.

BBC: English heritage sites 'thriving'

Correspondents say Unesco membership would allow Palestinians to apply to classify their monuments as World Heritage Sites at a time when the heritage of much of the region is under dispute.

BBC: Unesco clears way for Palestinian membership vote

The Committee is an intergovernmental body with a membership of 21 State Parties elected by an assembly of all States Parties to the World Heritage Convention.

UNESCO: OFFICE IN DHAKA