To be able to take part in the General Assembly and have the right to vote the city has to be a member in good standing (pay the annual membership fee).
At the General Assembly the mayors discuss issues concerning the mission and objectives of the OWHC and formulate relevant recommendations to the board of directors.
Among its duties are the implementation of the requests formulated and the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the planning of the organizations activities according to set up priorities.
He is the chief executive officer of the OWHC and is tasked with the supervision, administration and management of the affairs of the Organization.
He also coordinates the activities of the OWHC, prepares the budget and the financial reports and ensures that the decisions of the board of directors and those of the members taken at the General Assembly are carried out.
At the fourth General Assembly in Evora (Portugal) in 1997 the OWHC confirmed the Organization's association with the UNESCO and their joint efforts regarding World Heritage Cities in the UNESCO-OWHC agreement.
The OWHC works in close collaboration with other organizations pursuing similar goals while promoting action likely to support the efforts of cities located in developing countries.
It assists members to adapt and improve their management methods in relation to the specific requirements of having a site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In addition the Organization intends to help develop a sense of solidarity among its member cities and to sensitize the populations to heritage values and their protection.
All those meetings deal with the challenges in the realm of management and strategies pertaining to the preservation and development of historic cities.
To accomplish its goals the OWHC additionally offers various activities, programs and projects which aim to promote and support the maintenance, recognition and development of world heritage.