The Mongolian Gobi Desert is outstanding at a global scale due to the combination of extent, diversity and pristiness. It hosts an extraordinary representation of critical populations of rare animal and plant species as well as an enormous range of intact desert landforms and features. The nomination of the Mongolian Great and Small Gobi shall close one of the few major gaps in the world heritage convention. Simultaneously it shall encourage national decision-making bodies to invest and further improve management and protection of these outstanding landscapes and ecosystems.