UNESCO has undertaken a series of regional workshops to build capacity related to World Heritage Sites.

One workshop, held from 9-10 March 2006, in Nairobi, Kenya, focused on the management of Natural World Heritage sites in Africa. Participants adopted recommendations related to the better representation and effective management of the World Natural Heritage sites in Africa, and recognized the need for effective legal and institutional frameworks, a cross-sectoral approach at the national level, and the direct involvement of communities in sites management. Another workshop took place in Soufriere, Saint Lucia, from 27 February-3 March 2006, focusing on marine World Heritage and the Caribbean small island developing states (SIDS). Participants elaborated recommendations on the need to develop guidance for applying the World Heritage criteria to SIDS marine areas, and recognized the possibilities and strategic value offered by serial and transnational approaches to new World Heritage nominations. These events will be followed by a capacity-building workshop for cultural and natural heritage professionals in the Pacific region, which is taking place from 24-28 April 2006, in Apia, Samoa.
Links to further information
More information on the Caribbean meeting
African meeting
Pacific workshop announcement