The UNESCO World Heritage List (WHL) is the most prestigious distinction established under the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO at its 17th session in 1972 and ratified by Poland in 1976. The list includes cultural, natural and mixed properties.
Currently, there are 17 properties from Poland on the List, such as Historic Centre of Kraków, Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines, Białowieża Forest, Historic Centre of Warsaw, Old City of Zamość, Medieval Town of Toruń, Castle of the Teutonic Order in Malbork, Churches of Peace in Jawor and Świdnica, Centennial Hall in Wrocław.
Presently, the nomination dossier formally submitted in 2023 by the Republic of Poland regarding Gdynia is being processed under the name: "GDYNIA, EARLY MODERNIST CITY CENTRE". It is the area of the City Centre, entered into the register of monuments in 2007, and recognised in 2015 by the regulation of the President of the Republic of Poland as a historical monument.
The nomination dossier for Gdynia, extensively justifying the so-called outstanding universal value, is now under evaluation by the ICOMOS (International Council for the Protection of Monuments and Historic Sites - UNESCO advisory organization) experts. After the initial evaluation of the nomination dossier by the experts, the State Party was given detailed questions and provided answers.
The decision to inscribe or not to inscribe on the WHL will be made by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee at a session that will take place on 6-16 July, 2025, in Paris.
The World Heritage Committee is a body composed of representatives of the member states which make decisions on inscription on the WHL. Currently, the Committee includes representatives of 21 countries: Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, India, Jamaica, Japan, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Rwanda, Senegal, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam, Italy, Zambia.
It is the local government of the City of Gdynia that stands behind the extensive studies and initiating Gdynia's nomination to the WHL, striving for many years to ensure that the exceptional heritage of the Second Polish Republic is protected as best as possible. It is worth adding that also in the opinion of many foreign experts who know Gdynia, this heritage deserves world recognition.