World Heritage:

linking cultural
and biological
diversity

Dr. Mechtild Rössler

UNESCO World Heritage Centre
World Heritage Convention

Defines cultural and

natural heritage
including “sites:
works of man or the
combined works of
nature and man”
World Heritage Convention

•Links protection of
natural and cultural
heritage
• Links tangible and
intangible heritage
• Links people and
protected areas
 World Heritage Convention
Evolution of a concept…
1972 Convention with
definition of natural
/cultural heritage;
1992 integration of
cultural landscapes;
2004 New Operational Guidelines …

Merging of
the cultural
and
natural
heritage
criteria
 World Heritage Convention and others
1992 new Convention on
biological diversity
2003 new Convention on
intangible Heritage
Preparation of a new
instrument on cultural
diversity…..
World Heritage Convention
outstanding interaction between people
and their environment
World Heritage Convention
Natural sacred sites recognized for their
powerful spiritual values; living cultural
landscapes
World Heritage Convention
Cultural sacred sites: taking into
account people and their environment;
Sacred and social dimensions;
World Heritage Convention
Recognition of the heritage of mobile
people; nomadism
World Heritage Convention
Development of new concepts and
linkages between existing sites
World Heritage Convention – case studies
World Heritage Convention
New dimensions of World Heritage
- serial sites in a thematic framework
(Ruta Inca, Rift Valley, Alpine Arc,
Pacific Islands…)
- exploring underrepresented
themes, including scientific discoveries,
routes, shared heritage among nations
etc. such as ”Arctic/Polar Heritage”
World Heritage Convention
Unmatched opportunities:
Recognition of traditional
protection and
management systems for
cultural landscapes in
1992 and natural
properties in 1998

East Rennell, Solomon Islands

World Heritage Convention
Complexity of
interaction between
people and nature;
Recognition of cultural
diversity and
biodiversity links;
Benefits for people
living in and around
the sites;
 New approaches….
“Biodiversity should be appreciated in terms of
human diversity, since different cultures and
people … confront and perceive biodiversity in
different ways. This is due to their distinct
heritage and experiences, which are translated
into knowledge systems, cultural expressions and
language, and which enrich and transform the
environment, landscapes and especially
biodiversity.” (Juan Mayr, Cultural Diversity
and the Environment, Report 2003)
 Agricultural Heritage Systems, evolved over
millennia, are a global inheritance that should be
preserved and allowed to evolve
FAO launched a
new partnership
programme: called
“Conservation and
Sustainable
Management of
Globally Important
Ingenious
Agricultural
Heritage systems” -
GIAHS
Current project sites – proposals received by FAO

Asia and Pacific:

• Traditional upland systems, Yunnan, China
• Qanat (Karez, or Foggara) irrigation systems and home gardens, Iran
• Rice terraces and shifting cultivation, Ifugao, Philippines
Latin America:
• Transect of the Inka Road; terraces; qochas; waru-waru; Lake Titicaca
• Secondary centre of origin of potato, Chiloe Island, Chili
• Terra Preta system in Brazil
• Milpa System, Yucatan, Mexico
Africa:
• Tapade cultivation system Fouta Djallon Highland, Guinea
• Traditional oases agro-ecosystems of Tunisia (forthcoming)
Europe:
• Traditional agro-ecosystems in the Carpathian region of Slovakia
• Traditional Reindeer herding, Arctic region
www.fao.org/landandwater/giahs
 Conclusions and Recommendations :

• guidelines and case studies of

excellence on conservation practices
with nature/culture interactions;
• enhancing new concepts in global
heritage conservation;
Conclusions and Recommendations :
• Supporting effective management
and legal/traditional protection
Mechanisms
• Awareness of the interaction people-
environment
• Re-interpretation of
existing World
Heritage
properties
Exploring links to other Conventions
• CBD – Memorandum of Understanding
signed in 2004
•Ramsar Convention (cultural values of
wetlands)
Exploring links with other Programmes
….
• FAO - Globally Important Ingenious
Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)
project, jointly with ICCROM and IUCN
• UNEP-UNESCO project linking cultural
and biological diversity
•Aichi World Expo in 2005 “The Wisdom of
Nature”: Scientific Symposium organized by
UNESCO
Where do we go from here?
•Involvement of ICOMOS/IUCN?
•Support from donors in exploring this
interaction and in providing support
for the safeguarding of these sites….
•Scientific support for specific studies
needed (e.g. dynamic conservation
approaches, world crops approach see
Fowler 2003)
Thank you very much!