September 2010: Marine sites in the US and in Kiribati have been added to the World Heritage List of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

During its 34th session, held in Brasilia, Brazil, from 25 July-3 August 2010, the World Heritage Committee added the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the US and the Phoenix Islands Protected Area in Kiribati to the UNESCO World Heritage List. These additions bring the number of marine protected areas on the list to 43. Papahanaumokuakea was inscribed for both its cultural and natural value, while the Phoenix Islands Protected Area was inscribed for its natural value.

In addition, the World Heritage Committee made changes to two of the marine sites of its World Heritage in Danger List, which is designed to highlight threats to the value of listed sites and to encourage corrective action. The Committee removed the Galápagos Islands from the list in recognition of the Ecuadorian Government’s efforts to protect the site. The Committee also added the Everglades National Park in the US to the list, as it suffers from diversion of its water to nearby cities. [World Heritage Marine Programme Website] [Report of the 34th Session of the World Heritage Committee]