UNESCO World Heritage Commitee in Session

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites committee will meet this summer in Brasilia, for its 34^th session. Chaired by the Brazilian Minister of Culture and President of the World Heritage Committee, João Luiz Ferreira, the committee are meeting to monitor the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List, study requests for International Assistance from the World Heritage Fund, consider which of the 32 applications for potential new sites will make it to their World Heritage List and which of their established sites will be extended.

Six applicants for UNESCO nature status will be considered at the committee meeting, being held from 25 July to 3 August. These include:

- Danxia (South West China): A wildlife refuge in an area of unique geology, encompassing the mountains and foothills of the Yantze River.

-Reunion Island (France): An Indian Ocean French territory, containing 2 volcanoes fed from a unique, deep seated hot spot connected directly to the center of the world.

- Phoenix Islands Protected Area (Kiribati): The largest marine protected area in the world and the largest marine conservation project undertaken by a developing nation.

Some of the many submissions for Cultural properties include Australian Convict Sites (Australia), São Francisco Square in the Town of São Cristóvão (Brazil), Konso Cultural Landscape (Ethiopia), Fort Jesus, Mombasa (Kenya) and Darwin’s Landscape Laboratory (United Kingdom).

The Central Highlands of Sri Lanka and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Hawaii, will be considered for inscription in the ‘mixed’ (cultural and nature) category and Pirin National Park in Bulgaria and Monte San Giorgio in Switzerland and Italy are both hoping to expand their designated areas.

For more details on the conference, take a look at the official website http://www.34whc.brasilia2010.org.br/