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Financial regulations of the Heritage Emergency Fund

Article 1 – Creation of a Special Account

1.1 In accordance with Article 6, paragraphs 5 and 6, of the Financial Regulations of UNESCO, there is hereby created a Special Account for the protection of heritage in emergency situations, hereafter referred to as the “Heritage Emergency Fund”.

1.2 The following regulations shall govern the operation of the Heritage Emergency Fund.

Article 2 – Financial period

The financial period shall correspond to that of UNESCO.

Article 3 – Purpose

The purpose of the Heritage Emergency Fund is to finance activities and projects under a Programme for “Heritage Emergency Preparedness and Response” which would enable UNESCO to assist its Member States in protecting natural and cultural heritage from disasters and conflicts by more effectively preparing and responding to emergency situations.

Article 4 – Income

The income of the Heritage Emergency Fund shall consist of:

(a) voluntary contributions from States, international agencies and organizations, as well as other entities;

(b) such amounts provided from the regular budget of the Organization as might be determined by the General Conference;

(c) such subventions, endowments, gifts and bequests as are allocated to it for purposes consistent with the object of the Special Account;

(d) miscellaneous income, including any interest earned on the investments referred to in Article 7 below.

Article 5 – Expenditure

The Heritage Emergency Fund shall be debited with the expenditure relating to its purpose as described in Article 3 above, including administrative expenses specifically relating to it and programme support costs applicable to Special Accounts.

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Article 6 – Accounts

6.1 The Chief Financial Officer shall maintain such accounting records as are necessary.

6.2 Any unused balance at the end of a financial period shall be carried forward to the following financial period.

6.3 The accounts of the Heritage Emergency Fund shall be presented for audit to the External Auditor of UNESCO, together with the other accounts of the Organization.

6.4 Contributions in kind shall be recorded outside the Heritage Emergency Fund.

Article 7 – Investments

7.1 The Director-General may make short-term investments of sums standing to the credit of the Heritage Emergency Fund.

7.2 Interest earned on these investments shall be credited to the Heritage Emergency Fund.

Article 8 – Closure of the Special Account

The Director-General shall decide upon the closure of the Heritage Emergency Fund at such time as she deems that its operation is no longer necessary and inform the Executive Board accordingly.

Article 9 – General provision

Unless otherwise provided in these Regulations, the Heritage Emergency Fund shall be administered in accordance with the Financial Regulations of UNESCO.