QUEBEC CITY (AFP) - - UNESCO's World Heritage Committee began deliberations Wednesday in this oldest of Canadian cities over which of the globe's architectural and natural wonders to add to its list of protected sites.

The group of experts from 21 member countries of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization will also broach the delicate issue of whether or not to delist the eastern German city of Dresden during the July 2-10 session.

At the talks, 45 new sites could be added to the prestigious list, to be announced Sunday or Monday.

"The key moment is the addition of a new site," UNESCO spokesman Roni Amelan told AFP. "Preparing a bid is sometimes a difficult task, especially for poorer countries."

Five countries are first-time candidates for the list: Kyrgyzstan (for its Sulamain-Too Sacred Mountain); Papua New Guinea (The Kuk Early Agricultural Site); San Marino (San Marino Historic Centre and Mount Titano); Saudi Arabia (Al-Hijr Archaeological Site) and Vanuatu (Chief Roi Mata's Domain).

Each has a good chance of making the list this year as UNESCO "favors" sites in countries not already listed, said Amelan, explaining that UNESCO is looking to broaden its representation.

To be considered, a site must be of "outstanding universal value" and have a conservation plan to maintain it.

To date, 851 sites in 141 countries have previously been designated world heritage sites.

Dresden could be delisted following a decision to build a four-lane bridge in the heart of the 18th- and 19th-century cultural landscape of its Elbe Valley.

The construction of the Forest Castle Bridge began last November, after a court dismissed arguments by conservationists that it would pose a threat to rare horseshoe bats that live on the banks of the Elbe.

City residents have mostly been supportive of the project because they believe it will ease traffic congestion.

UNESCO does not like to have to delist a site. "Removing a site from the list would be a black eye," Amelan said.

Delisting "is never a satisfactory solution," Koichiro Matsuura, UNESCO director general, told delegates at the opening ceremony.

The committee will also review the state of conservation of the 30 sites inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, and may decide to add new sites to that list should preservation require special attention.

Some countries ask for this "in danger" tag because it gives them access to UN funds to try to improve protection of the site.

Canada is presiding at this year's meeting as Quebec City celebrates its 400th anniversary.

Established by French explorer Samuel de Champlain in the early days of the fur trade, and once the center of New France -- a French colony that spanned much of North America -- Quebec City is now a bustling Canadian metropolis of 700,000.

Its old quarter, perched atop a cliff overlooking the Saint Lawrence river where it widens on its way to the open sea, remains the only fortified city north of Mexico and was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1985.

Canada is proposing that the Joggins Fossil Cliffs in Nova Scotia province be added to the list this year.