A generic term for treaties, conventions, protocols, and other binding instruments. This term is usually applied to instruments of a geographic scope between two states.
Source(s): United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements
Le portail d’informations des Nations unies sur les Accords multilatéraux sur l’environnement définie la diversité biologique comme suit :
1) Diversité génétique : les variations entre les individus et entre les populations d’une même espèce ; diversité d’espèces : les différentes types de plantes, animaux, et autre formes de vie au sein d’une même région ; diversité de communauté ou d’écosystème : la diversité de milieux rencontrée au sein d’une même zone (par exemple prairies, marécages et forêts).
2) Un terme générique désignant collectivement la diversité et les variations de la nature. Il comprend trois niveaux d’organisation des systèmes vivants : le niveau génétique, le niveau des espèces et le niveau de l’écosystème. La diversité d’espèces de plantes et d’espèces animales est la diversité biologique la plus remarquable, et l’intérêt public s’est donc principalement tournée vers la sauvegarde de cette diversité.
Source(s) : Portail d’informations des Nations unies sur les Accords multilatéraux sur l’environnement (uniquement en anglais)The United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements defines Biodiversity as:
1) Genetic diversity: the variation between individuals and between populations within a species; species diversity: the different types of plants, animals and other life forms within a region; community or ecosystem diversity: the variety of habitats found within an area (grassland, marsh, and woodland for instance).
2) An umbrella term to describe collectively the variety and variability of nature. It encompasses three basic levels of organisation in living systems: the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. Plant and animal species are the most commonly recognized units of biological diversity, thus public concern has been mainly devoted to conserving species diversity.
Source(s): United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements
In order to enhance coherence and cooperation in implementation, a liaison group was established between the heads of the secretariats of the six biodiversity-related conventions. The Biodiversity Liaison Group or BLG, was formed in June 2004 and meets regularly to explore opportunities for synergistic activities and increased coordination, and to exchange information.
The Biodiversity Liaison Group (BLG) consists of the Heads of the Secretariat of the following conventions:
- Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage;
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD);
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES);
- Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS);
- Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention);
- International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA);
- International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
Read the Modus Operandi of the Biodiversity Liaison Group.
Protected areas that are strictly set aside to protect biodiversity and also possibly geological/geomorphological features, where human visitation, use and impacts are strictly controlled and limited to ensure protection of the conservation values. Such protected areas can serve as indispensable reference areas for scientific research and monitoring.
Source(s): United Nations Information Portal on Multilateral Environmental Agreements
Biosphere reserves are areas comprising terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. Each reserve promotes solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.
Biosphere reserves are ‘Science for Sustainability support sites’ – special places for testing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and managing changes and interactions between social and ecological systems, including conflict prevention and management of biodiversity.
Biosphere reserves are nominated by national governments and remain under the sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located. Their status is internationally recognized.
Biosphere reserves have three interrelated zones that aim to fulfil three complementary and mutually reinforcing functions:
- The core area(s) comprises a strictly protected ecosystem that contributes to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation;
- The buffer zone surrounds or adjoins the core areas, and is used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices that can reinforce scientific research, monitoring, training and education;
- The transition area is the part of the reserve where the greatest activity is allowed, fostering economic and human development that is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable.
Source(s): http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/ecological-sciences/biosphere-reserves/
Source(s):Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention
The World Heritage Resource Manual Preparing World Heritage Nominations (2nd edition, UNESCO 2011), draws up some principles concerning boundaries for World Heritage properties:
”the property boundaries must encompass the attributes necessary to meet the condition of integrity, that is a complete and intact set of attributes that convey potential Outstanding Universal Value;• boundaries must be logical and defensible in relation to the identification of attributes that convey the value of the property;
• boundaries must be clearly defined in relation to the legal protection and management of the property;
• boundaries should be readily identifiable if they are to be useful for management. They will often be based on physical features and sometimes on natural features. Effective boundaries may also be based on human-made features such as roads, which may often be critical features in relation to management. However, more care is needed with using such features to ensure that the area enclosed meets the condition of integrity;
• good-quality mapping of boundaries is essential; and
• it is also essential that the establishment of boundaries (including zoning schemes) within a nominated property is carried out in conjunction with defining the management priorities and requirements for the property, and with effective stakeholder engagement. This is to create a strong link between this process and protection, conservation and management.""
“Inadequacies in the boundaries make it difficult to maintain the property's Outstanding Universal Value” implies that theurce attributes conveying the Outstanding Universal Value are indeed within the boundaries, but they are considered inadequate for other reasons (too limited, lack of buffer zone, etc.)
Source(s): The World Heritage Resource Manual Preparing World Heritage Nominations (2nd edition, UNESCO 2011)
Buffer zones are clearly delineated area(s) outside a World Heritage property and adjacent to its boundaries which contribute to the protection, conservation, management, integrity, authenticity and sustainability of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property. Although buffer zones are not regarded as part of the inscribed property, their boundaries and relevant management approaches should be evaluated, approved and formally recorded at the time they are proposed by a State Party. Where buffer zones are defined, they should be seen as an integral component of the State Party’s commitment to the protection, conservation and management of the World Heritage property. The functions of the buffer zone should reflect the different types and levels of protection, conservation and management needed to protect the attributes that sustain the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage property.
Source(s): The World Heritage Resource Manual Preparing World Heritage Nominations (2nd edition, UNESCO 2011)
Buffer zones are described in The World Heritage Resource Manual Preparing World Heritage Nominations (2nd edition, UNESCO 2011) as follows:
”Every World Heritage property needs protection and management arrangements for activities outside the property, including their immediate setting. Buffer zones are one commonly used means to achieve this protection, conservation and management. However a buffer zone is not always a requirement if, as outlined in the Operational Guidelines, there are also legal, regulatory and other methods available to protect the property from wider threats (Paragraph 104). These may include recognition in land-use plans or development regulations, or ensuring landscape level connectivity between protected areas. Countries may have different mechanisms in this regard.
It should be clearly understood that the buffer zone does not form part of the World Heritage property but is there to assist in its protection, conservation and management.
The features and values of a buffer zone are [...] not included in the assessment of Outstanding Universal Value but may be relevant to the assessment of whether a nominated property meets requirements for integrity, authenticity, protection and management. Consideration needs to be given as to whether the immediate setting of the property is understood and can be readily defined, or whether more work is needed to define it.
Issues that can influence the buffer zone boundary include:
• characteristics of the potential Outstanding Universal Value;
• management requirements of the property;
• character of known or foreseeable threats or impacts;
• important views to or from the property;
• existing character of the potential buffer zone;
• ownership, resource use, management and protection (including legislation) within the potential buffer zone.
Although a buffer zone is not part of the inscribed World Heritage property, the buffer zone boundaries are formally registered at the time of inscription of a property, or at the time modifications are approved by the World Heritage Committee. The buffer zone is an integral component of the State Party’s commitment to the protection, conservation and management of the property. As such any buffer zone should be part of the overall management system for the property, and it should be clear how those responsible for managing the property are also able to provide input to and influence the management of activities in any buffer zone. The process of defining the buffer zone can be an important opportunity to involve stakeholders in understanding the property and working together for its long-term protection, conservation and management.”
Source(s): The World Heritage Resource Manual Preparing World Heritage Nominations (2nd edition, UNESCO 2011)
Buffer zones in this context relate to those buffer zones submitted and acknowledged by the World Heritage Committee. To answer this question, please refer also to the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value provided in Chapter 3. Please indicate which of the suggested answers given to this question most closely reflects the current status of the property.
Les six points du cadre d’indicateurs de suivi sont alignés sur les six thèmes essentiels que parcourt le Rapport périodique :
I. État de conservation des biens du patrimoine mondial : évaluer les évolutions dans le temps des statuts et tendances des biens de VUE et des facteurs affectant ces biens ; l’intégrité et l’authenticité du site.
II. Gestion : mesurer l’efficacité de la gestion du site et l’adéquation des ressources humaines et financières et du budget.
III. Gouvernance : mesurer l’adéquation du cadre juridique de protection du patrimoine, la nature et l’implication des acteurs essentiels (la transparence des processus), le(s) plan(s) d’action destiné(s) à promouvoir le patrimoine, la législation de protection du patrimoine.
IV. Synergies : mesurer l’existence de synergies avec d’autres conventions culturelles ou relatives à la biodiversité et des instruments normatifs.
V. Développement durable : mesurer si l’application de la Convention contribue à la durabilité environnementale, à un développement économique et un développement social inclusifs, et si elle favorise la paix et la sécurité.
VI. Renforcement des compétences : les indicateurs mesurant l’existence, l’efficacité des stratégies et programmes de développement des compétences ainsi que la participation à ces stratégies et programmes.
« La configuration organisationnelle concevant la structure opérationnelle et les méthodes de travail permettant d’agir ».
Source(s) : Gérer le patrimoine mondial naturel
Un cadre juridique en partie adapté est par exemple adéquat pour certains types de patrimoine, mais pas pour tous les types de patrimoine. Certains cadres juridiques peuvent ne pas être à jour en regard aux besoins et aux enjeux actuels. Dans certains cas, il peut y avoir plusieurs cadres juridiques pluridisciplinaires à plusieurs niveaux mis en place, mais laissant des parties non protégées lorsqu’il convient d’identifier toute l’étendue du bien culturel et/ou naturel.
Note : un cadre juridique peut être considéré adapté bien que n’étant pas spécifiquement pensé selon les besoins du patrimoine mondial, si les enjeux concernent tout le patrimoine culturel et/ou naturel.
Selon l’article 5(d) de la Convention du patrimoine mondial, les États parties sont tenus de « [...] prendre les mesures juridiques, scientifiques, techniques, administratives et financières adéquates pour l'identification, la protection, la conservation, la mise en valeur et la réanimation de ce patrimoine ».
Les Orientations ajoutent que : « Tous les biens inscrits sur la Liste du patrimoine mondial doivent avoir une protection législative, à caractère réglementaire, institutionnelle et/ou traditionnelle adéquate à long terme pour assurer leur sauvegarde ». Les Orientations insistent aussi sur le fait que le cadre juridique doit être mis en œuvre et appliqué ».
Source(s) : Orientations devant guider la mise en œuvre de la Convention du patrimoine mondial
Not yet drafted
Désigne le « cadre physique plus large » des biens, que le paragraphe 112 des Orientations décrit comme suit :
Le cadre physique plus large peut comprendre la topographie du bien, son environnement naturel et bâti, et d’autres éléments tel que les infrastructures, les modalités d'affectation des sols, son organisation spatiale et les perceptions et relations visuelles. Il peut également inclure les pratiques et valeurs sociales et culturelles, les processus économiques, et les dimensions immatérielles du patrimoine comme la perception et les associations. La gestion du cadre physique plus large est fonction de son rôle à maintenir la valeur universelle exceptionnelle.
According to the World Heritage and Capacity Building Strategy, “For the purposes of this strategy, capacity building in the World Heritage framework can be defined as follows. If capacity is “the ability of individuals, organizations and societies to perform functions, solve problems, and set and achieve objectives in a sustainable manner” , then capacity building for the effective management of World Heritage properties will:
- strengthen the knowledge, abilities, skills and behavior of people with direct responsibilities for heritage conservation and management,
- improve institutional structures and processes through empowering decision-makers and policy-makers,
- and introduce a more dynamic relationship between heritage and its context and, in turn, greater reciprocal benefits by a more inclusive approach, such that missions and goals are met in a sustainable way.