The 37th UNESCO conference has so far examined and listed 19 new world heritage sites, a little more than half the sites requested, as it moves to its final day Thursday.

Of the 19 sites, chosen from 30 that received nominations for consideration, five are natural properties and the other 14 are cultural properties, said Deputy Prime Minister Sok An, chairman of the 37th World Heritage Committee.

Chosen sites include eight from the Asia-Pacific region, seven from Europe, two from Africa, one from Latin America and the Caribbean, and one from the Middle East.

Politics had nothing to do with any decisions made by the committee, which opted not to inscribe the Old City of Jerusalem, An said.

“We try to get everybody to concentrate on technical issues from heritage, and to avoid speaking about politics in the world heritage committee,” An said. “I think this is the philosophy, not to get involve with politics.”