Monuments, buildings, geological formations, threatened species habitats and world heritage sites are exceptionally important for humankind which is duty bound to preserve them for future generations. The Organization, being the depository of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which was adopted in 1972, concentrates its action on assisting the States in protecting and developing their heritage by informing the populations and obtaining their support.
This community approach sometimes comes to the fore in times of emergency and calls for support from everyone.

The continent of Africa has very many representative cultural and natural sites.

• African sites inscribed in the World Heritage list.
  
  
• A number of African sites are inscribed in the List of World Heritage in Danger :
  - The royal palaces of Abomey in Benin
  - Comoé National Park in Côte d’Ivoire
  - Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve in Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea
  - Simien National Park in Ethiopia
  - Aïr and Tenere Nature Reserves in Niger
  - Manovo-Gounda St-Floris National Park in the Central African Republic
  - The National Parks of Kahuzi-Biega, Garamba , Salonga , Virunga , and the Okapi Reserve  in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  The Kilwa Kisiwani et Songo Mnara ruins in the United Republic of Tanzania
  - Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary in Senegal
  
  

• Close to 180 countries in the world have ratified the World Heritage Convention. Nor are the countries of Africa lagging behind. States Parties to the Convention.

• Every person is entitled to help to safeguard and protect the heritage : offers of goodwill are never turned away.