WCPA Vice Chair - World Heritage

Mr. Allen PUTNEY
WCPA Thematic Vice Chair for World Heritage
736 Allison Dr.
P.O. Box 4046
Incline Village Nevada 89450
USA
Tel: ++1 (775) 833-3627
Fax: ++1 (775) 833-3626
Email: Allen.Putney@att.net

The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in 1972. The primary mission of the Convention is to identify and protect the world's natural and cultural heritage considered to be of "outstanding universal value". The Convention draws up a list of properties "the World Heritage List", made up of natural, cultural and mixed sites and cultural landscapes. It promotes co-operation among all nations and peoples to contribute effectively to the protection of these important properties. The Convention is governed by the World Heritage Committee supported by The UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the secretariat for the Convention, based at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

IUCN and the World Heritage Convention

Our role under the Convention is fourfold:

1. IUCN evaluates all natural and 'mixed' sites nominated for World Heritage Status, and contributes to evaluations of certain cultural landscapes.
2. IUCN monitors the state of conservation of existing World Heritage sites.
3. IUCN contributes to training, capacity building and related initiatives, particularly at regional and field levels.
4. IUCN contributes to the development and implementation of the Global Strategy of the World Heritage Committee by preparing a series of Global overviews.

To help us maintain the highest possible standards in our World Heritage work, IUCN staff is guided by three fundamental principles:

1. Partnership is paramount. All our activities are carried out in partnership with other organizations and stakeholders, particularly the World Heritage Centre, the other advisory bodies to the Convention (ICOMOS and ICCROM), and State Parties.
   
2. Sound science is essential. One of the Union's major strengths is its high level of scientific credibility, consistency and objectivity. We maintain this by drawing on the expertise of our scientific networks - particularly the WCPA and UNEP WCMC
3. Problems require practical solutions. An important part of our work is to identify threats to World Heritage sites, but we aim to go beyond mere reporting to seeking practical and innovative solutions.

External Evaluation of IUCN's World Heritage work

In 2005 IUCN commissioned an external review of its World Heritage work which aimed to review and improve IUCN’s performance in the evaluation of World Heritage nominations. Following more than 30 years of experience in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, it was considered timely to review IUCN procedures, especially considering that the situation and functioning of the Convention has evolved considerably in recent years, resulting in greater attention and pressure on the evaluation process. IUCN aims to ensure that it employs the highest standards and that all parties have full confidence in the methodology and processes which it applies.

IUCN wishes to express its deep appreciation to Christina Cameron for the time and energy that she voluntarily devoted to carrying out this review, and also to those who contributed to the review through interviews and discussions. This review has helped to consolidate current discussions and thinking on the evolution of the evaluation process and the need to adapt to the current requirements of the Convention. It should also help to build confidence amongst parties and stakeholders of the World Heritage Convention, building on the reputation that IUCN has maintained to date in its technical advisory role to the World Heritage Committee.

Download External Review and IUCN Management Response in PDF