The World Heritage Convention

The World Heritage Convention defines the kind of natural or cultural sites which can be considered for inscription on the World Heritage List. These are superlative aspects of the shared global heritage of humanity.

Half a century ago, global visionaries recognised the need to protect sites across our planet of outstanding universal value. Through the United Nations, the World Heritage convention was adopted in 1972. This led to the establishment of the World Heritage list - with some of the first sites inscribed including the Yellowstone National Park and Galapagos Islands. 

There are now more than 1200 sites across our planet reflecting extraordinary aspects of our shared Natural and cultural heritage that are now protected by international law. 

This short film explains the formation of UNESCO and the genesis of the Convention. With a particular focus on sites in Switzerland we can see why the safeguarding of World Heritage sites protects both our collective cultural history and the natural values that allow life to prosper into the future.

Explore the World Heritage List 

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Image: James Wheeler
Dan Broun
Dan Broun
Kuno Earth Media Centre Manager
Dan Broun is an experienced photo-journalist and passionate advocate for wild nature


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