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Policy Compendium

Themes3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Propertiesclose3.2 - Monitoring close3.2.2 - Periodic Reportingclose3.2.4 - List of World Heritage in Dangerclose3.5.4 - Pollution close3.5.8 - Social/cultural uses of heritage close3.5.9 - Other human activities close3.5.12 - Invasive/alien species or hyper-abundant species close
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3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Properties
3.5 - Factors affecting properties
9. "[The World Heritage Committee] Reiterates its utmost concern about the continuing threats of wildlife poaching and illegal trafficking of wildlife products linked to impacts of conflict and organized crime, which is eroding the biodiversity and Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of many World Heritage sites across the world, and urges States Parties to take the necessary measures to curb this problem, including through the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES);"
Theme: 3.5.9 - Other human activities
Decision: 43 COM 7.2
3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Properties
3.5 - Factors affecting properties
Synthesis based on relevant Committee decisions

The World Heritage Committee requests States Parties to take all measures possible to halt poaching in the property (based on Case law on decisions on the State of Conservation).
Theme: 3.5.9 - Other human activities
See for examples Decisions:  33 COM 7B.11 38 COM 7A.45 40 COM 7A.37
Threats:  Civil unrest Deliberate destruction of heritage Illegal activities Military training Terrorism War
3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Properties
3.5 - Factors affecting properties
Synthesis based on relevant Committee decisions

The World Heritage Committee requests States Parties to promote traditional land management practices [and] reiterates its appeal to all Member States of UNESCO to cooperate in the fight against the illicit trade in wildlife and its products, including through the implementation of the CITES, and with the full engagement of transit and destination countries (based on Case law on decisions on the State of Conservation).
Theme: 3.5.9 - Other human activities
See for examples Decisions:  32 COM 7B.41 35 COM 7B.9 38 COM 7B.14 40 COM 7B.86
Threats:  Civil unrest Deliberate destruction of heritage Illegal activities Military training Terrorism War
3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Properties
3.5 - Factors affecting properties

“[The World Heritage Committee] notes with concern the significant and continued threat posed by invasive alien species to natural World Heritage properties, [and] strongly encourages States Parties to develop adequately resourced strategies to eradicate invasive species that emphasize prevention and early warning and rapid response in World Heritage properties, and also calls on the international community to support invasive species eradication campaigns in affected properties.”

Theme: 3.5.12 - Invasive/alien species or hyper-abundant species
Decision: 39 COM 7 41 COM 7
Threats:  Hyper-abundant species Invasive / alien freshwater species Invasive / alien marine species Invasive/alien terrestrial species Modified genetic material Translocated species

The World Heritage Policy Compendium was elaborated thanks to the generous contribution of the Government of Australia.

The World Heritage Policy Compendium On-line tool was developed thanks to the generous contribution of the Government of Korea.


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