IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Each year, IUCN prepares State of Conservation Reports for about 60 of the most threatened natural World Heritage Sites in collaboration with UNESCO, and with ICOMOS for mixed natural and cultural sites. These reports present key threats to the sites’ Outstanding Universal Value, identify the practical actions needed to improve their state of conservation, and are based on information provided by the State Parties to the Convention, as well as IUCN's network of experts.

State of Conservation Reports are addressed to the World Heritage Committee - the governing body of the World Heritage Convention. On the basis of these reports, the Committee takes site-specific decisions and often requests State Parties to the Convention to implement conservation actions to maintain or improve a site's state of conservation.

A key element of the State of Conservation reporting process is IUCN's yearly Natural Heritage Consultation, which takes place between January and June every year. This consultation process draws together the knowledge and expertise of IUCN Regional and Country Offices, expert networks, particularly the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and the Species Survival Commission, various environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as individuals concerned about the conservation of World Heritage Sites worldwide.

To submit comments or information on a natural or mixed World Heritage Site(s) please contact us directly at whconservation@iucn.org or download a copy of IUCN's Natural Heritage Consultation Form. All information submitted is strictly confidential.

In extreme cases, where a site is in ascertained or potential danger of losing the Outstanding Universal Value for which it was inscribed on the World Heritage List, the Committee may decide to inscribe it on the Danger List.