Was not Golestan recommended for Referral?

The composition of the 19 new sites also shows a gradual change away from old-established inscribing countries. Assuming China still has a lot of catching up to do, only Italy/Germany and Mexico, plus possibly Japan, are what might be called "Serial nominators"!

W Europe - 4 (No France or Spain!!)
Italy 2
Germany 1
Portugal 1

E Europe - 2
Ukraine - 2 (corrected after comment below) - 1 shared with Poland

Africa - 2 (plus a first for Lesotho as an extension)
Niger - 1
Namibia - 1

Oceania - 1
Fiji -1 (New country)

Americas - 2 (nothing from S America!)
Canada -1
Mexico -1

Asia - 8
China - 2
Qatar - 1 (new country)
Japan - 1
India -1 (also has a lot of catching up to do)
Iran - 1 (is turning into a "serial nominator"!)
Tajikistan - 1 (first natural site)
DPRK - 1

Indeed, that's what I meant. ICOMOS asked for referral, but it was inscribed.

Golestan was recommended a referral together with Coimbra. Lesotho was recommended a deferral and a referral.

Nothing in South America this year, but next year, with the Inca trails, a large serial nomination will be proposed. It will be the same with the Silk Road.

Germany will likely continue to do so. In Germany, it is the states that have the power in all cultural matters, and they will push the federal government to make yearly nominations according to a schedule they have agreed upon themselves.

Next year we also have Dikis (Costa Rica) and Parati (Brazil).

This is a mistake, I believe. Ukraine got 2 (the tserkvas, and Chersonese) while Russia got none.

Of course - sorry . I forgot that Krushchev gave away the Crimea!!! I have corrected the original above in line with the facts. Thanks

What happened with Alanya and the other Russian nomination?

So how many did you see already?

I only have 3 (last year 5): Hill Forts, Fujisan, Coimbra

Aggressive political discourse by Israel, Jordan and Palestine.

Anyone still watching/listening?

The Palestine spokesman has just compared/contrasted the hours spent debating some pretty minor issues about conservation in the Bolgar site with the apparent ease with which actions dangerous to the preservation of Old Jerusalem are allowed -he even quoted George Orwell ("Some are more equal than others")!!!

Maybe the world is fed up with the Israëli-Palestine debate. Lot of abstentions of vote also

One of my "worst" years for some time! Just 5 - Hill forts, Etna, Kaesong, Namib Sand Sea, Fujisan. "Below average" - I would normally hope to get around 40%. It must show that less "obvious" ones are getting inscribed

It is the "near misses" which are annoying - Have been to Coimbra but didn't target the University, I drove past Al Zubarah in Qatar a few years ago. Similarly with the Medici Villas - have been past the "door"! I can't see myself getting back to at least the first 2 of these.

The only saving grace is that we should be able to visit Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe this summer during our trip to/from Beyreuth.