Story | 04 Jul, 2018
Close ties between water and culture highlighted at World Heritage meeting
Water is at the heart of human existence and development. But how do people manage this precious resource in arid landscapes, such as in the Arab region? What cultural practices have developed over time in wetlands to support communities’ water needs? These questions…
Story | 03 Jul, 2018
World Heritage regional consultation process takes off in Central Asia
Representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan confirmed their commitment to support the identification of natural sites that have the potential to be nominated as World Heritage. IUCN will lead the process in its capacity as…
Story | 03 Jul, 2018
The 12-year-old Belizean girl who spoke up at the World Heritage Committee meeting – interview
“I respectfully encourage the representatives of each country present to think of my generation in decision-making regarding World Heritage sites – our barrier reef and our planet depend on it.” Thus did Madison Pearl Edwards address the delegates gathered at UNESCO’s 42nd World Heritage…
Press release | 02 Jul, 2018
Yemen urged to halt damaging activities in Socotra Archipelago, as advised by IUCN
Manama, Bahrain – Following IUCN’s advice, the World Heritage Committee has urged Yemen to halt any activity that may negatively impact on the unique wildlife and landscapes of the Socotra Archipelago World Heritage site. The country has been requested to urgently facilitate an IUCN-UNESCO…
Press release | 28 Jun, 2018
Lake Turkana listed as ‘in danger’ due to impacts from dam, as advised by IUCN
Manama, Bahrain, 28 June 2018 (IUCN) – Lake Turkana National Parks in Kenya has been placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger today at UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee meeting, due to impacts from the Gibe III dam. The decision follows the recommendation of…
Story | 27 Jun, 2018
New crowdfunding campaign honours the fallen rangers of Virunga National Park
Manama, Bahrain – A benefits concert taking place today at the World Heritage Committee meeting pays tribute to park rangers who were brutally killed while protecting Virunga National Park. It marks the launch of a crowdfunding campaign – #HelpVirunga – to support…
Story | 27 Jun, 2018
Tanzania urged to halt logging plans and dam project in Selous Game Reserve, as advised by IUCN
Manama, Bahrain – Tanzania has been urged to not proceed with plans to log 143,638 ha in the Selous Game Reserve today at UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee meeting, as recommended by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The area would be in the same location…
Press release | 26 Jun, 2018
Second largest reef on Earth off ‘danger list’, following IUCN’s advice
Manama, Bahrain, 26 June 2018 (IUCN) – The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System – the world’s second largest coral reef system after the Great Barrier Reef – has come off the List of World Heritage in Danger, following the advice of the…
Story | 12 Jun, 2018
Common pool: Equitable water governance brings prosperity to Sabkhali
The Sundarbans, a vast forest in the coastal region of the Bay of Bengal, are considered one of the natural wonders of the world. Lying adjacent is Sabkhali, a largely agricultural village, highly vulnerable to climate change and tidal surges, salt water intrusion, and waterlogging. The area is…
Story | 04 Jun, 2018
Where the heart is: Myanmar’s village conservation committees give people reason to stay
For those who live along the coast of the Pyinbugyi Islands at the mouth of Southeastern Myanmar’s Tevoy River, fishing has always been a way of life. Unfortunately, of late, commercial offshore fishing has meant that many locals aren’t able to fill their nets as they used to. Rice farming,…