Natural World Heritage sites include iconic places such as the Great Barrier Reef, Yellowstone, the Galápagos Islands and Kilimanjaro, and are recognised as the world's most significant protected areas.
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Protecting the planet’s most iconic natural places
We advise
natural sites are monitored by IUCN each year for the World Heritage Committee; 252 are now listed
We assess
of all sites listed up to 2020 are assessed by IUCN as having a positive conservation outlook
We provide knowledge
of sites are threatened by climate change, which is now the top threat to natural World Heritage
How we engage
Natural World Heritage sites are recognised as the planet’s most important protected areas, providing life-supporting benefits to millions of people worldwide. And yet, they are under increasing pressure from climate change, infrastructure development, mining, poaching and other threats.
IUCN is the official advisor on nature to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. IUCN evaluates sites nominated for the World Heritage List and monitors the state of conservation of listed sites. IUCN aims to improve the management of World Heritage sites and enhance the role of the World Heritage Convention in nature conservation and sustainable development.
News
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Bhitarkanika Conservation Area, India
Photo: IUCN / Remco van Merm
A Union for inclusive environmental action: a new IUCN Centre for Society and Governance
30.03.2022IUCN has put in place a new organisational structure following key decisions at the 2021 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille. This includes the creation of a new Centre for Society and Governance, which places people at the heart of nature...
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Photo: Peter Prokosch/GRID-Arendal
IUCN’s four new Centres set to deliver innovative action for nature
04.03.2022In response to the escalating nature and climate crises, including the urgent need for greater conservation finance and inclusive governance, IUCN has announced the creation of four new Centres that will help deliver on the global goals for sustainable...
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Khangchendzonga National Park in India was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2016
Photo: IUCN / Tilman Jaeger
IUCN report identifies sites with World Heritage potential in Himalaya and beyond
16.12.2021Gland, Switzerland, 16 December 2021 (IUCN) – A new report lists seven broad areas in the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush and the Karakoram mountain ranges where new natural World Heritage sites could be found. It also identifies possible extensions of existing...
Publications
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Leveraging the World Heritage Convention for conservation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya
Jaeger, Tilman
Language: En
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Learn more
Photo: IUCN/Melissa Marín
Advisor on World Heritage
Photo: Our Place World Heritage
IUCN World Heritage Outlook
Photo: IUCN/Paul Dingwall
Global World Heritage projects
Photo: IUCN/Wendy Strahm
World Heritage and Climate Change
Quick reads
Aimed at policy-makers and journalists, IUCN Issues Briefs provide key information on selected issues in a two-pager format.
Photo: IUCN
Natural World Heritage
One in five (23%) sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List are natural sites, most often protected areas such as national parks or nature reserves. Natural World Heritage sites are globally recognised...
