World Heritage Committee adopts decision regarding the Wadden Sea

The World Heritage Committee is currently holding their 47th session in Paris, France. Today, the Committee adopted a report and decision regarding the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site prepared by the World Heritage Centre and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

In the Decision WHC/25/47.COM/7B.22 adopted on 9 July 2025, the World Heritage Committee acknowledged the joint response submitted by the three Wadden Sea states in February 2025 to the Committee’s last year’s requests. It expressed appreciation for the collaborative efforts of Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands in managing the property, addressing climate change impacts, and preserving its Outstanding Universal Value, while encouraging continued implementation of ecological and hydrological conservation strategies. The Committee also emphasised the importance and urgency of completing the joint Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). The aim of the SEA is to examine the consequences and cumulative impacts of future programmes, plans, and projects on the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site. The process of this complex task remains ongoing. The results should serve as a basis for future decisions.

Sascha Klöpper, CWSS Executive Secretary: “We acknowledge and appreciate the raised points in UNESCO’s recent decision on the Wadden Sea. We welcome their continued attention to the protection of this unique natural area. Through the Trilateral Cooperation on the Protection of the Wadden Sea, we remain fully committed to addressing the World Heritage Committee’s requests as quickly as possible. We will continue to work on strengthening measures to protect the Wadden Sea and its Outstanding Universal Value, including a more effective approach to cumulative effects.”

The Trilateral Wadden Sea Cooperation of Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands supported by the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat will prepare a joint report to address the World Heritage Committee’s requests.

With the nomination of the Wadden Sea as a World Heritage Site, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Germany, all parties to the World Heritage Convention, have committed themselves to their duty to ensure the conservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site. With the Trilateral Cooperation to protect the Wadden Sea commonly since 1978, the three Wadden Sea States enjoy a long tradition of safeguarding the ecosystem.

All World Heritage Committee documents are available on UNESCO's website.