World Heritage sites require an enormous number of resources for their protection. Conservation needs are met in different ways by governments, vibrant communities, or donors of many types. But increasingly the private sector is taking action with a powerful impact on conservation and management.

Natural sites especially are impacted by industrial activities, and ‘no-go’ commitments, where companies from the extractive, finance, insurance and hydropower sectors promise to withhold activities from protected areas, mean that we can work jointly with these industries to protect these sites. As of March 2022, there are more than 40 no-go commitments related to World Heritage sites.

We learn more about this in the interview with Rohitesh Dhawan, President and CEO of the International Council on Mining and Metals, which was at the origin of the landmark no-go commitment and explains how international environment policy is slowly evolving for the better.

Other sites use innovative Public-Private Partnership with an intriguing model: the government confides the daily management of sites to a private partner with excellent results.

Still other kinds of private partnerships support sustainable livelihood activities that have a direct impact on the local communities, reinforcing their traditional practices and craftsmanship, while supporting the conservation and management of the sites.

You will find these and other examples in these pages. The private sector, not only through financial contributions, but through creative collaboration, are paving a new way forward with sustainable results.

Lazare Eloundou Assomo
Director of World Heritage

In Focus

The Private sector pitches in

Revitalizing sites in Africa

African Parks have pioneered a progressive new method for wildlife conservation with its Public-Private Partnership approach.

Corporate support for sustainable livelihoods

A ground-breaking partnership between UNESCO Beijing Office and Mercedes-Benz began at the iconic Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries in China.

Safeguarding through the no-go commitment As of March 2022, more than 40 no-go commitments on World Heritage have been made by companies and associations.

Close-up

Partnership for post-earthquake recovery

The new UNESCO Country Strategy for Nepal extends partnerships with Nepalese stakeholders and the private sector to support priorities in education, sciences and communication.

Forum

Interview

Rohitesh Dhawan, President and CEO of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM).

Conventions

Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage.

News

Preservation

UNESCO Marine World Heritage: 2021 in review; Fish protected in Lake Malawi; Deadly attacks in Benin’s W National Park.

In Danger

Ukraine: over 150 cultural sites partially or totally destroyed.

Outreach

Imke Rust unites Swedish and Namibian sites in her art.