The UN Foundation catalyzes new partnerships between
the public and private sectors, leveraging global
efforts to improve our way to approach the natural
environment. Throughout its history, the Biodiversity/Sustainable
Development program has focused on supporting
the conservation of coral reefs and World Heritage
sites, places recognized by the international
community because of their outstanding universal
value. The UN Foundation believes in the power
of individuals, the private sector, local actors,
governments and others to support the United Nations’
leadership in conserving the wonders of the natural
world towards promoting sustainable development.
Focus Areas
• Natural World Heritage Sites
From eradication of invasive species to assistance
of park administration during armed conflict,
the UN Foundation supports the UNESCO
World Heritage Centre in improving the management
of protected areas listed under the World Heritage
Convention. • Coral Reef and Marine
Protection
The UN Foundation works with the International
Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) to halt
and reverse the decline of the health of the world's
coral reefs and strategic seascapes, highly threatened
by climate change, water pollution and overfishing. • Community-based initiatives
The UN Foundation supports approaches to sustainable
community-based development in high biodiversity
areas to simultaneously improve the livelihoods
of local populations whilst making them active
stakeholders of the areas • Sustainable Tourism
The UN Foundation works on engaging the tourism
industry in the protection of World Heritage sites
by encouraging the adoption of sustainable business
practices by the travel industry, supporting community-based
sustainable tourism development, and increasing
the awareness of travelers on the value of the
World Heritage sites.
Campaigns
World Heritage Alliance
The World Heritage Alliance is an initiative launched
by Expedia Inc. and United Nations Foundation
to promote sustainable tourism and awareness of
World Heritage sites and communities around the
world. www.worldheritagealliance.org
Friends of World Heritage
Friends of World Heritage fosters a constituency
of World Heritage supporters and travelers to
ensure the protection of World Heritage sites
for today’s travelers and future generations.
www.friendsofworldheritage.org
The Coral Reef Fund
The Coral Reef Fund supports the work of ICRAN
to halt and reverse the decline of the health
of the world's coral reefs. www.coralreeffund.org
Rapid Response Facility
Partnering with UNESCO
and Fauna
and Flora International, the UN Foundation
created a facility that can deploy timely funding
and technical assistance to World Heritage sites
that are either facing emergency needs or are
placed on the World Heritage Convention's 'Sites
in Danger' list. www.fauna-flora.org/rrf/
Sustainable Livelihoods
Community Management of Protected Areas for Conservation
– COMPACT
COMPACT is a small grants program for community-based
initiatives that can significantly increase the
effectiveness of biodiversity conservation in
the co-management of World Heritage sites while
working to improve the livelihoods of local populations. http://sgp.undp.org/index.cfm?module=ActiveWeb&page=WebPage&s=compact_1
Equator Initiative
The Equator Initiative is a partnership that brings
together the United Nations, civil society, business,
governments and communities to help build the
capacity and raise the profile of grassroots efforts
to reduce poverty through the conservation and
sustainable use of biodiversity. www.undp.org/equatorinitiative/
