World Heritage Committee Meets in Bonn

Bonn, 30 June 2015 – the 39th session of the Word Heritage Committee (WHC) opened in Bonn on Sunday.  The WHC is one of the partners of CMS in the Biodiversity Liaison Group, an umbrella organization for seven international Conventions and treaties.

While the meeting opened within an appeal to protect cultural heritage sites targeted for destruction, it will also give some attention to the minority of sites designated for their natural features.

There are three side events of particular interest to CMS taking place over the course of the next ten days.  Tonight, CMS Executive Secretary, Bradnee Chambers will be one of the speakers addressing illegal wildlife trade, which is seen as a major threat to natural World Heritage Sites.  He will be joined by CITES Secretary General, John Scanlon, Sue Lieberman of the Wildlife Conservation Society and Christiane Paulus of the German Federal Ministry of the Environment.

On Saturday, 4 July the benefits of natural World Heritage will be presented based on the results of a study published by the IUCN last year into the ecosystem services provided by the world’s most iconic natural places.

On Monday, 6 July the role of transboundary management of World Heritage Sites in contributing to the conservation of biodiversity will be illustrated through examples including the Wadden Sea, which straddles the borders of Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.  The Wadden Sea also provides the setting of the first regional Agreement concluded under CMS, namely the Wadden Sea Seals Agreement.  Rüdiger Strempel of the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat will be among the speakers.

To coincide with the WHC meeting on Bonn, AEWA Executive Secretary, Jacques Trouvilliez and Rüdiger Strempel have written an article which is being published by the German international radio broadcaster, Deutsche Welle.  The article, which will appear in English and German, will also be posted on the CMS website shortly.

Last updated on 30 June 2015

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News item
Country: 
Germany
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Europe
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