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 | 28 May, 2018
World Heritage in-danger: Belize reef recovers while Lake Turkana faces dam threat – IUCN
In-danger status can be lifted from the world’s second largest coral reef, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in charge of advising the UNESCO World Heritage Committee on natural sites. IUCN recommends danger-listing Kenya’s…
Story | 14 May, 2018
IUCN recommends two vast indigenous peoples’ territories for World Heritage listing
Two very large areas in Canada and Colombia are recommended for inscription on the World Heritage List by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the official advisor on natural World Heritage. Both places highlight the important…
Story | 14 May, 2018
Koh Rong National Marine Park: A first for Cambodia
On 8 February 2018, the Cambodian government announced the establishment of the Koh Rong National Marine Park (NMP) – a first for the country. The park covers over 52,000ha – an area two thirds the size of Bangkok – along the coast of Preah Sihanouk and Koh Kong, and is critical to safeguarding…
Story | 07 May, 2018
Africa is focus of new World Heritage Leadership course
Enrolment is now open for a World Heritage Leadership course on “People, Nature, Culture” tailored for the African region. The capacity-building programme is delivered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the International Centre for the…