During a special event at the Monaco Yacht Club on 4 April 2017, UNESCO’s World Heritage Marine Programme, IUCN’s Global Marine and Polar Programme and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) will launch the results of the project “Identifying possible World Heritage marine sites in the Arctic Region”.

The project identified seven areas that best represent the Arctic Oceans’ most unique features and reveals why these areas could be considered of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and thus merit protection through the 1972 World Heritage Convention.

As Arctic sea ice retreats, these unique marine features will become increasingly accessible to fishing, shipping and new economic development. The dramatic pace at which Arctic sea ice has retreated in recent years highlights the urgency for enhanced understanding and protection of these priceless assets of potential OUV. Only a short window of opportunity exists to get out in front of  accelerating economic development and to protect these unique marine features before these treasures become irrevocably lost to humanity. Protection through the 1972 World Heritage Convention is one crucial way to secure these places can endure for generations to come.

The project received support from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and WWF Canada, and builds on a scientific expert meeting that was held at UNESCO Headquarters from 25 to 26 February 2016.

Attendance at this event is by invitation only, please contact UNESCO’s World Heritage Marine Programme for more information: wh-marine@unesco.org.