The Chang’an–Tianshan Corridor, a key section of the Silk Roads, encompasses a network of interconnected routes that historically linked the societies of ancient Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia, West Asia, and the Near East. This corridor played a pivotal role in the development of many of the world’s great civilizations. Today, it includes 33 World Heritage sites with a combined area of 233,719.67 hectares.
High-resolution satellite imagery analysis conducted by the International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST) reveals that between 2015 and 2020, built-up areas within the protected zones of these World Heritage sites increased by 452 hectares, representing 48% of the total land-use change observed. The majority of these changes resulted from the sustainable utilization of the heritage areas. Overall, the World Heritage properties along the Silk Roads remain in good condition.
This part of the Guidance offers an overview of wind and solar energy development and the associated transmission infrastructure development, primarily for heritage practitioners and decision-makers unfamiliar with the renewable energy field. It also discusses electrical transmission infrastructure, because wind and solar energy developments require the upgrading or development of transmission infrastructure, including power lines, substations and other facilities.
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World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves, and Global Geoparks form a unique global network of more than 2,260 sites across over 13 million km². These living landscapes support the livelihoods of some 900 million people worldwide —around 10% of the global population, including many Indigenous Peoples and local communities— while harbouring a significant share of global biodiversity and contributing to climate regulation.
This pilot edition of the State of the Ocean Report (StOR) was proposed and developed to demonstrate the feasibility of keeping the world up to date on the current state of the ocean. Building on examples from IOC-led or joint initiatives, the report is structured around the initial Challenges of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, 2021–2030.
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The Earth Network is a project designed by UNESCO with support from the Republic of Italy. It mobilizes experts from across the spectrum of environmental knowledge, to help countries and communities achieve their biodiversity goals.
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The Operational Guidelines are periodically revised to reflect the decisions of the World Heritage Committee. Please verify that you are using the latest version of the Operational Guidelines by checking the date of the Operational Guidelines on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre website indicated below.
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Within UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, biosphere reserves are established to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere.
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At its 27th session, the International Co-ordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB-ICC) decided to develop “Technical Guidelines for Biosphere reserves" (referred as TGBR thereafter).
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Over four decades, people across the globe have utilized biosphere reserves, designatedunder UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, to explore local solutions toglobal challenges, thereby generating a wealth of experience and innovative potential for asustainable future that emphasizes the conservation of biodiversity.
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国际地球科学和地质公园计划（IGGP）应通过以下两项活动实施：国际地球科学计划（与国际地质科学联合会（IUGS）共同开展的一项业务活动）和教科文组织世界地质公园。
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This report would not have been possible without the valuable contributions, support and encouragement of numerous people and institutions.
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