Some 200 guests were present in Bern, including IUCN, to hear top figures from the Swiss Federal Department for Environment, the Federal Department for Culture and the Federal Department.

The idea of a Swiss Charter first emerged three years ago and was inspired by the Word Heritage Convention itself. The charter was drafted following an extensive national consultation with authorities from Swiss World Heritage sites, the Confederation, cantons and communes, as well as tourist organizations, national institutions and federations.

The event also premiered 45 short films on the 11 World Heritage sites located in Switzerland, three of which are natural. This series of films offers unique insight into the outstanding features of these sites and was commissioned by the Swiss Commission for Unesco. The films will be available online from mid-April on www.unesco.ch.

The Swiss Charter on World Heritage is open for signature.