World Heritage

The core of ARCS work has been and continues to be centered on identifying, protecting and restoring the natural World Heritage. This is fundamentally about protecting the great natural wonders of our Earth, places of outstanding universal value to all people for all time.

The World Heritage Convention came into being just over 40 years ago on 16 November 1972.

Australia, as an ancient stable continent that was part of Gondwana is remarkable, globally. Much of the way life evolved on this Earth, still survives, but only just, in very special places akin to Noah’s Ark.

Our President Aila Keto is a member of the Technical and Scientific Committee of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. She is also a member of the IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas focusing on World Heritage and ecosystem restoration. She brings to bear her knowledge as co-author of three of Australia’s successful World Heritage nominations: The Wet Tropics, Fraser Island and the above Gondwana Rainforests; and as former Director on the Board of the Wet Tropics Management Authority.

Our national focus is to ensure Australia can deliver on all its obligations as a signatory of the World Heritage Convention. These are clearly spelt out in the Convention’s Operational Guidelines and are uppermost in our minds in what we do.