The WHITR-AP is a non-profit organization specialized in the area of heritage conservation.  Furthermore, as a category 2 institute under the auspices of UNESCO, it is the first one that established in the developing countries.  It will be an autonomous institution at the service of Member States and Associate Members of UNESCO.  The Institute’s mission is to strengthen implementation of World Heritage Convention in the Asia and the Pacific region, by building the capacity of all those professionals and bodies involved with World Heritage site inscription, protection, conservation and management in the Asia and the Pacific region, through training, research, the dissemination of information and network building.

The main objectives of the Institute shall be:

1. contributing to the achievement of a more balanced geographical distribution of training and research institutions and activities in the field of World Heritage conservation in the Asia and the Pacific region;
2. increasing the balanced representation and distribution of Asia-Pacific properties on the World Heritage List;
3. promoting better protection and management of the World Heritage properties in the Asia and the Pacific region;
4. raising awareness of the World Heritage conservation among the general public and promoting the free flow of information to improve the visibility of World Heritage;
5. fostering international collaboration with UNESCO and international and national bodies in other regions, by implementing cooperative projects in favour of World Heritage in the Asia and the Pacific region.

In support of these objectives, the main functions of the Institute shall be to:

1. execute short-term and long-term education and training activities for site managers, educators and technicians in China and in the Asia and the Pacific region, for the conservation of both cultural and natural heritage, including those directed at the preparation of World Heritage nomination files, the conservation and management approaches for World Heritage properties, the monitoring, assessment and reporting of the state of conservation of World Heritage properties;
2. undertake research on important regional and global World Heritage issues, and investigations of particular heritage resources in cooperation with relevant conservation training and research centres in the Asia and the Pacific region;
3. hold regional and global scientific symposia, conferences and workshops in all areas relating to World Heritage;
4. collect available information in order to set up a comprehensive database system for the conservation and management of World Heritage in the region;
5. collect and disseminate relevant knowledge and information, and the outcomes of research and training activities in Asia-Pacific countries through the Internet and the publications;
6. promote collaborative programmes in the areas of World Heritage conservation in the region and the exchange of conservation practitioners at the regional level in this context;
7. encourage the development of a World Heritage site manager’s regional network to exchange information, knowledge and experience;
8. facilitate the introduction of disciplines relating to World Heritage conservation and other academic research activities in universities, colleges and research institutes in China and in the Asia and the Pacific region.

July 2004, at the 28th Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, decision: ‘Welcomes the initiative of the Government of China to establish a World Heritage Research and Training Institute in China and invites the State Party to report on the progress of this initiative at the 7th extraordinary session of the Committee in 2004’ (WHC-04/28.COM/INF.19B).

December 2004, at the 7th Extraordinary Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, decision: ‘Takes note with appreciation of the progress made to date in the setting up of the "World Heritage Research and Training Institute in China" (WHC-04/ 7 EXT.COM 11)

April 2005, Tongji University (Shanghai) submitted the official application and proposal to the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO for hosting the ‘UNESCO World Heritage Research and Training Institute’ in Shanghai. Thereafter, Tongji University and its College of Architecture and Urban Planning have received high recognition for their capacity-building and preparation work from international/national experts and officials during reviews and measures.

July 2006 at the 30th UNESCO World Heritage Committee, Chinese delegation made a presentation on the Feasibility Study of World Heritage Research and Training Institute in China. The committee decision: ‘Thanks the State Party of China for pursuing and making possible the World Heritage Research and Training Institute’ (WHC-06/30.com/11D)

August 2006, Shanghai Municipal Government officially contacts the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO to support Tongji University for hosting World Heritage Research and Training Institute in Shanghai. September 2006, the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO officially endorses the establishment of World Heritage Research and Training Institute in Tongji University in Shanghai, specialized in the field of cultural heritage conservation.

January 2007, the coordinating meeting about the World Heritage Research and Training Institute was held at national level. The name is adjusted to World Heritage Institute of Training and Research-Asia and Pacific , Shanghai, hereinafter called “WHITR-AP (Shanghai)”. There will be three branches: WHITR-AP (Shanghai) is responsible for cultural heritage conservation; WHITR-AP (Beijing) takes charge of natural heritage conservation and WHITR-AP (Suzhou) is in charge of handcraft protection.

21st May, 2007, H.E. Francesco BANDARIN (Director of UNESCO WHC) and H.E. Xinsheng ZHANG (Vice Minister of Education, Chairman of Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, Chairman of Executive Board for UNESCO) unveiled the cover of World Heritage Institute of Training and Research - Asia and Pacific (Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou).