International Expert Workshop “Implementation of the World Heritage Convention in the Caspian Region”

The workshop was organized and financially supported by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) and the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) in cooperation with UNESCO and followed the decision of the World Heritage Committee at its 30th session (30 COM 8B.24) encouraging the States Parties of Iran and Azerbaijan to consider options for a transnational serial nomination of Hirkanian Forest areas.

This workshop was attended by 18 participants from both States Parties, international experts from universities and research institutions, representatives of IUCN, the Director of the UNESCO Tehran Office and the Chief of the Europe and North America Unit of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The discussion focused on issues concerning the identification of areas of high value, criteria to be used, buffer zones and issues related to integrity and management systems. Participants also addressed other themes including sustainability and management of grazing and other human impacts.