中國的石林、馬達加斯熱帶雨林的時空膠囊、南韓島上的山隧道等，都在推薦成為全人類世界遺產的傑出自然景點名單上。聯合國委員會將在稍晚會議時，決定哪一個景點可以勝出。
這些自然奇觀是由世界自然遺產的官方顧問團體世紀自然保育聯盟（IUCN）所推薦。6月23至7月2日，由聯合國教科文組織舉辦的世界遺產委員會將在紐西蘭基督城考量合適名單。
預計有超過600個國際代表參加此次的基督城會議，這些團體都與民眾關係緊密。委員會將商討新的提名地點、恐有危機的地點、世界遺產的經營與保護，也將告知未來可能成為世界遺產的名單。
2007年列於考量的45個地點中，包括了11個自然遺產、32個文化遺產、及2個混合了自然與文化價值的遺產。總計有39個國家被列入考量。
聯合國教科文組織於1972年舉辦的保護世界文化與自然遺產會議，鼓勵國際間合作捍衛人類的共同遺產。組織中共有184個會員國參與，也是擁有最多國際認可的組織之一。
當簽署此保育條約的同時，國家同意保護列於世界遺產上的地點，以及其在國家和地區中的重要性，並提供保護此遺產的合法管理架構。
世界自然保育聯盟推薦成為世界遺產的新自然景點有：
中國的南中國喀斯特地形
馬達加斯加阿欽安阿納雨林
南韓的濟州火山島和山隧道
喀爾巴阡山脈、斯洛伐克、烏克蘭的遠古山毛櫸林
西班牙泰德國家公園
推薦應擴大的自然遺產：
瑞士的少女峰—阿雷奇冰河—伯恩高地
混合型推薦列入名單的遺產：
加彭的Lopé-Okanda生態系與文化遺產地景
紐西蘭東加里諾國家公園
紐西蘭西南部綠玉之地世界遺址區
紐西蘭次南極島嶼
The stone forests of China, a rainforest time capsule in Madagascar, and lava tube caves on a South Korean island are among the outstanding natural sites recommended for inscription on the World Heritage List to preserve for all of humanity. A UN committee will decide which sites make the cut when it meets here later this week.
These natural wonders are recommended by the IUCN-World Conservation Union, the official advisory body on natural World Heritage sites. They will be considered for inclusion on the list by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand, from June 23 through July 2.
Over 600 international delegates are expected to attend the Christchurch meeting, which is closed to the public. The Committee will consider new site nominations, sites in danger, site management and protection, and will acknowledge national tentative lists for possible future World Heritage sites.
The 45 sites to be considered for inscription this year include 11 natural sites, 32 cultural sites, and two sites of mixed natural and cultural value. A total of 39 countries are presenting sites for consideration this year.
UNESCO's 1972 Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage encourages international cooperation to safeguard the common heritage of humanity. With 184 member governments, it is one of the most widely ratified international legal instruments.
When they sign the Convention, countries commit to preserve sites on the World Heritage List, as well as sites of national and regional importance, by providing a legal and regulatory framework for their protection.
New natural sites the IUCN recommends for inscription on the World Heritage List:
South China Karst, China
Rainforests of Atsinanana, Madagascar
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes, South Korea
Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians, Slovakia and Ukraine
Teide National Park, Spain
Natural site recommended for extension:
Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn, Switzerland
New mixed site recommended for inscription:
Ecosystem and Relic Cultural Landscape of Lopé-Okanda, Gabon
Tongariro National Park
Te Wahipounamu, South West New Zealand World Heritage Area
he Sub-Antarctic Islands of New Zealand
全文及圖片詳見ENS報導
