The international community, through a specialized agency of the United Nations, has designated 20 U.S. landmarks as World Heritage sites and 47 as Biosphere Reserves -- a designation intended to focus the attention of the world community on areas of natural or cultural significance. Both programs are administered by UNESCO and, despite U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO in 1984, are supported by the U.S. government through annual voluntary contributions. Both programs call for respect of state sovereignty, are symbolic in nature, and have no legal jurisdiction over countries or communities.
According to U.N. officials, Biosphere Reserve programs contribute to the conservation of ecosystems, are entered into voluntarily, and sites are nominated by states for "demonstrating a balanced relationship between people and the environment." The Biosphere Reserve Program was established in 1968 and operates through independent national committees in 114 countries. American scientists from a range of backgrounds serve on the U.S. committee.
Additionally, the U.S. has a long history of participation in the World Heritage Convention which was submitted by President Nixon to the U.S. Senate for its advice and consent in 1973. According to a report of the Congressional Research Service (1996), the purpose of this Convention is "to identify and list worldwide natural and cultural sites and monuments considered to be of such exceptional interest and such universal value that their protection is the responsibility of all mankind." A total of 146 nations participate in the World Heritage Convention. Sites on the World Heritage list include the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon in the U.S., the Great Wall in China and the Taj Mahal in India. (Exerpted from "Does the United Nations Control US Public Lands?", a factsheet from UNA-USA.