II.1 The Committee adopted the provisional agenda as amended by the Delegate of Niger, and endorsed by Malta, proposing that item 6 of the provisional agenda (Constitution of working groups to examine specific items on the Committee's agenda) be replaced by a new item: Report on the decisions taken by the General Assembly of the States Parties (Tenth session) and by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 28th session.
III.1 As proposed by the Delegate of the United States of America, and endorsed by the Delegates of Niger, Japan, Italy, Lebanon, Canada and France, Mr Horst Winkelmann (Germany) was elected by acclamation as Chairperson of the Committee. Mr Lambert Messan (Niger) was elected also by acclamation as Rapporteur, and the following members of the Committee were elected as Vice-Chairpersons: Australia, Italy, Japan, Lebanon and Mexico.
III.2 The newly-elected Chairperson thanked warmly the outgoing Chairperson, Dr Adul Wichiencharoen, for his dedicated work in the past year. Having underlined ...
VI.1 The Chairperson having suggested the setting up of possibly two working groups in order to facilitate the work, the Committee decided, on the proposal of Italy which was endorsed by Japan, Mexico and Niger, to set up a working group to discuss the International Assistance requests, and to organize, if necessary, the Committee's debate on the budget. It was likewise decided that this, as any other working group, would be open to all delegates and observers alike.
VI.2 The Committee also decided to create a working group which would prepare sub-items (a), (b), (c) and (d) of Agenda ...
VII.50 The Working Group on monitoring and reporting was chaired by Mr Barry Jones (Australia). Mr Harald Plachter (Germany) served as the Rapporteur of this Working Group.
VII.51 The report of the Working Group was presented by its Chairperson to the Committee's plenary session on Friday, 8 December 1995. He informed the Committee that the Working Group recognized that the issue under consideration consists of two steps:
1. the monitoring by the states Parties of the state of their World Heritage sites;2. the regular reporting on the state of these sites in accordance with the ...
19 COM VII.1
Reports on the State of Conservation of the World Heritage Cultural and Natural Properties: Working Group
VII.1 The Committee having decided to have during this session a working group on monitoring and reporting, this item is reported in two parts:
- Reports on the state of conservation of specific properties;- Report of the working group on monitoring and reporting.
This question also appears in Chapter IX in the framework of the presentation of the Report of the General Assembly of States Parties.
VII.2 The Committee examined reports on the state of conservation of eight natural and seven cultural properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Furthermore, the committee examined state of conservation reports on thirteen natural, one mixed cultural and natural site and nineteen cultural World Heritage sites.
VII.6 Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Guinea/Cote d' Ivoire)
The Committee recalled that the site was included on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 because of negative impacts from a proposed iron-ore mining project and threats due to the arrival of a large number of refugees from neighbouring countries. It furthermore recalled that an extensive report was presented to the Bureau at its nineteenth session in July 1995.
The Committee noted that in response to the Bureau's request for clarifications on the legal protection and classification of the site, the Ministry for ...
V11.7 Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (India)
The IUCN Representative informed the Committee that recent information on the site indicates that the civil unrest continues to restrict management efforts. Habitat conditions in a portion of Manas were still intact, but numbers of large fauna species were particularly low due to commercial poaching.
The Committee recalled that it had on numerous occasions expressed its concerns on the state of conservation of the site and requested the State Party to provide detailed information.
The Committee took note of the intervention by the Observer of ...
Sites: Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
VII.8 Air-et-Tenere Reserve (Niger)
The Committee recalled that at the request of the Niger authorities, the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 as it was affected by civil disturbances. A Peace Accord was signed in October 1994.
The Delegate of Niger took the floor and recommended that an evaluation mission be organized to review the situation at the site.
Meanwhile, the Committee decided that the site would remain on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The situation will be reviewed by the Committee at its twentieth session in the light of information ...
VII.9 Everglades National Park (United States of America)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1993 due to an increasing number of threats since the date of its inscription on the World Heritage List in 1979 and that Federal State and local governments, as well as private foundations, had joined forces in providing significant financial support for the management of the site and its long-term restoration.
The World Heritage Centre presented a monitoring report, received from the State Party in November 1995, indicating that the ...
Sites: Everglades National Park
VII.3 Srebarna Nature Reserve (Bulgaria)
The committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 and that the Bureau at its nineteenth session examined a substantive state of conservation report, prepared by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The Representative of IUCN informed the committee that a monitoring mission was undertaken by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention and a detailed monitoring report was prepared. This report indicates that the new water control structure allows an inflow of water on a small scale, ...
Sites: Srebarna Nature Reserve
VII.4 Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 and that information was received from both the Permanent Delegation of the Republic _of Croatia to UNESCO and the Croatian National Commission for UNESCO, indicating that damage from the period of occupation was evident. The Committee furthermore noted that the site was reopened to the public on 10 August 1995 and that the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee approved a request for emergency assistance (communications equipment) for an ...
Sites: Plitvice Lakes National Park
VII.5 Sangay National Park (Ecuador)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1983 and placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 due to threats from poachers, boundary encroachment and unplanned road construction. It took note of the preliminary report by INEFAN (Instituto Ecuatoriano Forestal y de Areas Naturales y Vida Silvestre) on the environmental impact of the construction of the Guamote-Macas road in the Park, and an extensive report of October 1995 provided by the IUCN Office in Ecuador. This report indicates that the road ...
Sites: Sangay National Park
VII. 10 Virunga National Park (Zaire)
The Committee recalled that Virunga National Park was included on the List of World Heritage in Danger at the last session of the World Heritage Committee in December 1994, due to the tragic events in Rwanda and the subsequent massive influx of refugees from that country. It noted that the site is seriously threatened by the uncontrolled arrival of refugees, causing deforestation and poaching at the site.
The Committee took note of the reports provided both by the Secretariat and IUCN, as well as the responses received by the Ministry for the ...
Sites: Virunga National Park
VII.14 Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras)
The Committee recalled that the Bureau at its nineteenth session took note of a report received from the Fundaci6n Rio Platano concerning the site, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1982. The report concerned the agricultural intrusion at the south and western borders of the site and on the land reform programme and its implementation in north-eastern Honduras. The Bureau at its nineteenth session requested IUCN to verify the situation and to report back to the nineteenth session of the World Heritage committee. Subsequently, the ...
VII.15 Komodo National Park (Indonesia)
The Committee took note that a mission to consider the state of conservation of Komodo National Park took place in July 1995 under the leadership of the Chair of the Indonesian World Heritage Committee, accompanied by representatives of the national authorities and the UNESCO Office in Jakarta. The Committee expressed its concern for the four officials of the Indonesian World Heritage Committee still missing at sea after a tragic accident during the course of a monitoring mission to Komodo. The Committee paid tribute to their dedication to the ...
Sites: Komodo National Park
VII.16 Whale sanctuary of El Viscaino (Mexico)
The Committee recalled that the Bureau at its last session took note of the report on the site, presented by the IUCN Representative, indicating that the Mitsubishi Corporation in partnership with the Mexican Government, has a project to convert a part of the lagoon into salt ponds for industrial salt production. A one-mile long pier is proposed, which could disturb the grey whales within the lagoon. The Committee noted that no response has yet been received to a letter written to the authorities indicating the concerns raised at the ...
VII.17 Arabian Oryx Sanctuary (Oman)
The committee recalled that at its eighteenth session it requested IUCN to present to the Bureau an evaluation of the revised boundaries of this site, based on the report of the consultant working on the plan for the area. The World Heritage Centre informed the Committee that it has received a "Preliminary Land Use and Management Plan" of November 1995 which the Centre has transmitted to IUCN for review.
VII.18 Tongariro National Park (New Zealand)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed under natural criteria on the World Heritage List in 1990 and as a cultural landscape in 1993. The Centre informed the Committee that it received information from a member of the local Maori community about the dropping of 1080 poison on Mount Tongariro to-combat the possum browse which threatens indigenous flora, and that the Department of Conservation had held consultations with the community, which agreed to a time-limited operation, which would not contaminate waterways. The Committee took ...
Sites: Tongariro National Park
VII. 19 Huascaran National Park (Peru)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1985 and that a report on the site was presented to the nineteenth session of the Bureau. In addition, the IUCN Representative informed the Committee about (a) the need for an inventory of cultural heritage within the Park to be undertaken, and (b) road proposals which might become a serious threat to the integrity of the World Heritage site.
The Committee thanked the Peruvian authorities for the arrangements made to facilitate the IUCN mission to the Huascaran ...
Sites: Huascarán National Park
VII.20 Skocjan Caves (Slovenia)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1986 and took note of the report by IUCN on the field mission outlining that the size of the site had been expanded from 200 to 400 ha to better control the surface area of the underground caves. Actions by the State Party included expenditure of US$ 22 million on upstream pollution control, strengthening legislation, consideration of a buffer zone and proposals for new park offices and visitor facilities. The Delegate of Germany asked for clarification concerning the extended ...
Sites: Škocjan Caves
VII.21 Redwood National Park (United States of America)
The Committee recalled that the Bureau at its nineteenth session reviewed a preliminary monitoring report and further information on the proposed realignment of Highway 101 near cushing Creek in Del Norte County to correct safety and operational problems. The World Heritage Centre informed the committee about new information received from the State Party that the proposed realignment of Highway 101 through Redwood National Park, as described in a new alternative by the California Department of Transportation, will result in the ...
VII.22 Yellowstone National Park (United States of America)
The Committee recalled that Yellowstone National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978 and that it is the first National Park in the world. It furthermore recalled that the Bureau discussed the potential threats to Yellowstone at its last session in July 1995. The Bureau had requested a joint mission to the site to review the situation. The mission was carried out in September 1995 by the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, representatives of the World Heritage Centre, and a representative of IUCN's ...
Sites: Yellowstone National Park
VII.11 Tasmanian Wilderness (Australia)
The Committee recalled that this mixed site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1982 and that the Bureau at its eighteenth session in July 1994, discussed reports received on logging operations in areas adjacent to the World Heritage area. It furthermore recalled that two concerns were raised: (a) that there is forested land outside the site which may have World Heritage values, and (b) that logging and roading activities adjacent to the site could have an adverse impact on the existing World Heritage site.
The Committee noted that the ...
Sites: Tasmanian Wilderness
VII.12 Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (Canada)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed in 1984 (extension in 1990) and took note of the report presented by IUCN. The report underlines the infrastructural development of the "Bow Corridor", which is intensely used and developed. The Canadian authorities have set up a task force to look into this issue and the ecological integrity of the site. The Delegate of Canada took the floor and underlined that the Government of Canada recognizes the importance to study the problem and invited IUCN to cooperate with the task force by making ...
VII.13 Galapagos National Park (Ecuador)
The Committee took note of a report presented by IUCN on the site. This report outlined, while acknowledging efforts by the Ecuadorian authorities concerning legislation and cooperation with local authorities, the threats this site is currently facing. These are mainly:
(a) threats to the terrestrial biodiversity with the introduction of species of vertebrate animals endangering endemic flora and fauna, as well as the growing human population, which has severe impacts for example for solid waste disposal,
(b) threats to the marine biodiversity ...
Sites: Galápagos Islands
VII.23 Ha Long Bay (Vietnam)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994 and took note of a report presented by IUCN. The report outlines two potential threats to the site: (a) a new port is to be developed in the Bay which would route large transport ships through the site, and (b) a license for a large floating hotel at the site which would have further impacts on the heavy tourist pressures in the Bay.
The Delegate of Japan provided further information concerning financial support for the project from Japanese aid agencies for an amount of ...
VII.24 Willandra Lakes Region (Australia)
The Committee took note of a new boundary proposal which will reduce the total area by about thirty percent. The Committee decided to take this issue up under item VIII "Nominations".
Sites: Willandra Lakes Region
VII.25 Royal Palaces of Abomey (Benin)
In accordance with the recommendation adopted by the Bureau at its eighteenth session in July 1995, the Committee was informed of a mission organized by the World Heritage Centre to Abomey to complete and update the nomination documents and prepare a state of conservation report. The mission recommended to the authorities concerned:
1) to identify more precisely the boundaries of the site and enhance the respect of the buffer zone which should take into account the enclosing walls and the old entrance doors;
2) establish a global conservation and ...
Sites: Royal Palaces of Abomey
VII.26 Angkor (Cambodia)
The Secretariat recalled that at the time of inscription of Angkor on the List of World Heritage and on the List in Danger at the sixteenth session of the World Heritage Committee in Santa Fe, on 14 December 1992, the Committee set forth five obligations it requested the Cambodian authorities to fulfill within a period of three years. This period coming to its term at the end of December this year, H. E. Mr Vann Molyvann, Minister of State of the Royal Government of Cambodia, took the floor at the invitation of the Chairperson to inform the Committee on the ...
Sites: Angkor
VII.27 Old city of Dubrovnik (Croatia)
The Committee, having taken note of the difficulties which hindered the execution of the programme for which it had approved funds in 1994, requested the Secretariat to continue monitoring its implementation and to present a progress report to the Bureau at its twentieth session. The Committee decided to retain this property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Sites: Old City of Dubrovnik
VII.28 Timbuktu (Mali)
The Committee was informed of the state of progress of the pilot project for the preservation of the three mosques of Timbuktu inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The first phase, which was carried out by the national authorities, will be followed in 1995 by the intervention of experts from ICCROM and CRATerre - EAG. This second phase should receive support from the World Heritage Fund.
Having noted that the Mali authorities granted emergency assistance from the national budget to finance conservation work, the Committee endorsed the launching of a ...
Sites: Timbuktu
VII.29 Bahla Fort (Oman)
The Committee was informed that since its eighteenth session two expert missions had visited the site. The observations and recommendations of the first mission are set out in a Consolidated Report transmitted to the national authorities, confirming that the work being carried out was of a clearly "renovation" type, risking to irremediably compromise the authenticity of this historic monument. The second mission, carried out from 27 May to 11 June 1995, with the financial support of Oman, by a specialist in mud-brick architecture, provided valuable advice on the ...
Sites: Bahla Fort
VII.30 Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru)
The Committee decided to wait for the results of the assessment of the conservation policies and practices at the Chan Chan Archaeological Zone, to be undertaken in the context of the course on adobe conservation that will be held at Chan Chan, in late 1996. The Committee decided to retain the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
VII.31 Wieliczka Salt Mines (Poland)
The Committee took note of the information provided by the Secretariat that UNESCO had taken all the necessary measures for the implementation of the technical cooperation project that was approved by the World Heritage Committee at its eighteenth session but that it had not received to date the consent of the Polish authorities as to UNESCO's proposals regarding the purchase of the equipment. In the absence of any further clarification from the State Party concerned, the Delegate of the United States of America informed the Committee that the Polish ...
VII.33 City of Potosi (Bolivia)
The Committee took note of the information provided by the Secretariat on the potential degradation of the Cerro Rico mountain by continued mining operations. Considering that the Cerro Rico forms an integral part of the World Heritage site, the Committee invited the Bolivian authorities to inform the Secretariat of the measures it has taken for its preservation and management.
Sites: City of Potosí
19 COM VII.C.2.34/35
SOC: Memphis and its Necropolis -- the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur (Egypt)
VII.34 Memphis and its Necropolis -- the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur (Egypt)
It was recalled that the Committee had been informed during its eighteenth session in Phuket of the very serious problems which threatened the site. Following an exchange of correspondence between the Director-General of UNESCO, the Government of Egypt and the World Heritage Committee, a UNESCO expert mission visited Egypt from 1 to 6 April 1995, at the invitation of the national authorities. Its terms of reference were to propose safeguarding measures for the World Heritage site of the Pyramid Fields ...
VII.35 Islamic Cairo (Egypt)
The Committee therefore requested the Secretariat to transmit to the Egyptian authorities the following text concerning the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur and the Islamic Cairo:
Having noted the results of the mission of the UNESCO experts invited by the Government of Egypt, from 1 to 6 April 1995, to assist in identifying measures to ensure the conservation of the World Heritage site of the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur, the Committee congratulated and thanked the Egyptian authorities for the decisions taken to date and for the action already ...
VII.36 Churches of Lalibela (Ethiopia)
The project for the "Restoration and Preservation of the Churches of Lalibela" was conceived and formulated in the framework of the International campaign for the Conservation and Preservation of-the Monuments of Ethiopia, and implemented by the Division of Cultural Heritage. It illustrates the complementarity and the dynamism of the activities carried out for heritage by the UNESCO Secretariat as a whole. This project, which receives support from the European Union and the Finnish Ministry of the Environment, will establish on the basis of ...
Sites: Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela
VII.37 Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin (Germany)
The Committee took note of the report provided by the Secretariat and invited the German authorities to provide a full state of conservation report on the site, including statements concerning legal protection, current planning and development of Potsdam, as well as information on possible extensions of the site and/or buffer zones adjacent to the site.
VII.38 Borobudur (Indonesia)
The Committee noted with appreciation the submission of the state of conservation reports on Borobudur and Prambanan, both inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991 and commended the Indonesian World Heritage Committee for the importance it has attached to the systematic monitoring exercise and rapid completion of the state of conservation reports on the cultural properties.
With regard to Borobudur, the Committee expressed its wish to receive the detailed plan of the "sound and light" theatre at this site, prior to its construction in view of the ...
Sites: Borobudur Temple Compounds
VII.39 Heidan Emam of Isfahan (Iran)
The Secretariat informed the Committee that it received the draft report of a mission carried out in September 1995 to assess the state of conservation of the Meidan Eman of Isfahan by the Iranian Cultural Organization in association with ICCROM following the concern raised by the Bureau in July 1995 on the impact of the new road projects on this site. The Committee took note of this and decided to study the reports at the next Bureau meeting before formulating its recommendations.
Sites: Meidan Emam, Esfahan
VII.40 Petra (Jordan)
The Secretariat recalled that during its eighteenth session, the Committee was informed of the different threats (hotel constructions near the site, insufficient waste water evacuation systems, uncontrolled urban development, proliferation of shops) menacing the preservation of the integrity of the site.
It informed the Committee that by letter of 13 March, the Permanent Delegation of Jordan had sent the Centre a proposal for an extension of the site under the name Petra Natural and Archaeological Park, which was subsequently withdrawn pending completion of the ...
Sites: Petra
VII.41 Vilnius Historic Centre (Lithuania)
The Committee took note of the report on the comprehensive rehabilitation programme for the City. It commended the Government of Lithuania and the municipal authorities of Vilnius for their timely and appropriate initiative.
Sites: Vilnius Historic Centre
VII.42 Ihle de Mozambique (Mozambique)
The Committee was informed that the World Heritage Centre undertook a mission last July in order to:
- define the necessary measures to prepare an integrated rehabilitation programme for the Ihle;- establish the list of urgent conservation work.
The report of this mission was discussed last November in Paris, with the Minister of Culture who asked the Director- General of UNESCO for a Funds-in-Trust to be administered in Maputo by a steering Committee. The UNESCO Representative in Mozambique would be a member of this Committee. The Mozambique ...
Sites: Island of Mozambique
VII.43 Tyr (Lebanon)
The committee was informed of a land fill project in part of the bay adjacent to the old port north of Tyr, in the immediate vicinity of the World Heritage site, in order to build a tourist complex. If implemented, such a project would irremediably destroy the underwater archaeological remains located near the old port and would be a major threat to the immediate vicinity of the listed site. UNESCO organized a mission of two experts to the site; however, the results of this mission had not been received at the beginning of December.
The Committee thanked Mr Michel ...
Sites: Tyre
VII.46 Kathmandu Valley (Nepal)
The Secretariat reported that the technical cooperation grant approved by the committee at its eighteenth session in December 1994, enabled the deployment in October 1995 of an International Technical Adviser (ITA) to Kathmandu for a period of five months to assist the authorities in the preparation of project proposals for international funding and to establish a development control unit within the Department of Archaeology. In addition to the three national professionals who will be trained as development control officers by the ITA, three persons are ...
Sites: Kathmandu Valley
VII.47 Taxila (Pakistan)
The Committee noted that the Bureau at its nineteenth session requested the Department of Archaeology & Museums, in cooperation with the World Heritage Centre, to (i) carry out the required scientific studies on vegetation control to minimize the damage to the masonry and structure of the monuments, and (ii) appraise the impact of the heavy industries and the stone quarrying in the Taxila Valley areas, identified during the systematic monitoring mission carried out in March-April 1995.
It noted that the Government of Pakistan submitted a technical ...
Sites: Taxila
VII.48 Taos Pueblo (United States of America)
The committee recalled that the potential impact of the extension of the Taos Airport on the World Heritage site of Taos Pueblo was discussed at various Bureau and committee meetings and that the Committee's concerns were transmitted to the united states authorities. The Secretariat informed the committee that it had received preliminary monitoring reports notably from the US National Park Service. These reports indicated that the major issue was the size of the area determined to be affected by the proposed airport extension. It was reported ...
Sites: Taos Pueblo
VII.32 Kasbah of Algiers (Algeria)
The committee was informed of the Algerian authorities' firm intention to continue their efforts in preserving the World Heritage values of the Kasbah of Algiers, and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sent to the World Heritage Centre a "Report on the Actions for the Safeguarding of the Kasbah for 1995", in accordance with the request of the Committee during the inscription of the site in 1992.
The Committee thanked the Algerian Government for having provided the information concerning the high priority given to this site and the actions ...
Sites: Kasbah of Algiers
VII.44 Megalithic Temples (Malta) Hal Saflieni Hypogeum (Malta)
The Committee was informed, during its eighteenth session, and the Bureau at its nineteenth session, of the very serious situation with regard to these monuments.
The Secretariat informed the Committee that since that time, the Permanent Delegation of Malta had transmitted a detailed report dated 4 September 1995 from the Director of the Museums Department of Malta on all the measures already undertaken or foreseen to ensure the long-term safeguarding of ...
VII.45 Medina of Fez (Morocco)
The Committee followed with interest the Moroccan Government's efforts for the preservation of the Medina of Fez, which made it a model for the protection of Islamic cities.
Nevertheless, according to the Secretariat's report, it appears that the urban development projects undertaken in 1994 and 1995 and which consist among others of demolishing parts of the Medina to make way for tarmac roads, completely ignore the principles for preservation as defined in the World Heritage Convention. Consequently, the Committee expressed its grave concern with regard ...
Sites: Medina of Fez
VII.49 Hue (Viet Nam)
The Committee noted with satisfaction the Secretariat's report on the considerable efforts made by the Vietnamese authorities in the conservation of the Complex of Hue Monuments and the achievements made by the Hue-UNESCO Working Group in revitalizing the International Campaign for the Safeguarding of the Hue World Heritage site.
The Secretariat reported on the formation by the Vietnamese authorities of an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism to monitor and ensure the safeguarding of Hue and the Committee shared the Vietnamese authorities' concern that rapid ...
Sites: Complex of Hué Monuments
19 COM VIII.1-2
Information on the Tentative Lists and Examination of Nominations to the World Heritage List and List of World Heritage in Danger
VIII.1 The Secretariat informed the Committee that all cultural properties nominated for inscription were included in the tentative lists of the respective countries. The Committee took note of information document WHC-95/CONF.203/INF.7. The Delegates of Germany and Niger stated that they had recently sent up-dated tentative lists which, however, had not been taken in to account in document INF.7.
VIII.2 Upon the proposal of the Delegate of Canada, the Committee decided that the presentation of the cultural sites should include citations, as is the case with the presentation of the ...
VIII.3 The Committee recalled that the Bureau at its last session in July 1995 examined ten natural nominations and referred three properties back to the States Parties and one to IUCN.
VIII.4 The Bureau examined at its December session four nominations of natural properties, of which it recommended the inscription of two properties. Two nominations were deferred as further information was needed. The Committee also discussed one proposed extension to a World Heritage site and one revision of the boundaries of a World Heritage site.
19 COM VIII.A.1
Inscription: Waterton Glacier International Peace Park (Canada/United States of America)
Waterton Glacier International Peace Park
354Rev
Canada/United States of America
N(ii) (iii)
The committee took note of the evaluation presented by IUCN and that the site meets criteria (ii) and (iii) because of its distinctive climate, physiographic setting, mountain/prairie interface and tri-ocean hydrographical divide as well as its scenic values and the cultural importance of its International Peace Park designation. IUCN further recommended that a single "Biosphere Reserve" should be created from the three Biosphere Reserves already existing in the area.
The Committee decided ...
Messel Pit Fossil site
720
Germany
N(i)
The Committee inscribed the nominated property on the basis of criterion (i), considering that the site is of outstanding universal value as the single best site which contributes to the understanding of the Eocene, when mammals became firmly established in all principal land ecosystems. Furthermore, the committee commended the German Government for their support of the high standards of paleontological research undertaken.
Sites: Messel Pit Fossil Site
19 COM VIII.A.1
Inscription: The Caves of the Aggtelek Karst and the Slovak Karst (Hungary/Slovak Republic)
The Caves of the Aggtelek Karst and the Slovak Karst
725
Hungary/Slovak Republic
N(i)
The Committee inscribed the nominated property on the basis of criterion (i), considering that the site is an outstanding example of on-going geological processes and a significant geomorphic feature. The karst formations and 112 caves contain the geologic history of the last several millions of years with an unusual combination of climatic effects and paleokarst features.
The Committee requested the Centre to write to the national authorities to recommended that control is needed over surface ...
The Virgin Komi Forests
719
Russian Federation
N(ii) (iii)
The Committee inscribed the nominated property on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iii), considering the site among the most important natural sites in the boreal forest region. The site has pristine boreal forests and is an important site for scientific research including climate change.
The Committee decided to inscribe an area of 3.28 million ha, which is fully protected as a National Park, Zapovednik and buffer zone. It requested the Centre to write to the national authorities to encourage them to upgrade the legal status ...
Sites: Virgin Komi Forests
Gough Island Wildlife Reserve
740
United Kingdom
N(iii) (iv)
The Committee noted that the British authorities had confirmed that the marine area (three nautical miles) is included in the nomination and the site is to be known as the "Gough Island wildlife Reserve", of which 6,500 ha is terrestrial area.
The Committee decided to inscribe the site under criteria (iii) and (iv) as one of the least disturbed major cool-temperate island ecosystems in the South Atlantic, one of the most important seabird colonies in the world and high scenic qualities with spectacular sea-cliffs. The ...
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
721
United States of America
N(i) (iii)
The Committee inscribed the nominated property on the basis of criteria (i) and (iii), considering that the site is of outstanding universal value with exceptional geological features, unique reef and rock formations, and containing major cave formations, gypsum chandelier speleothems, aragonite 'christmas trees' and hydromagnesite balloons.
The Committee also wished to encourage the authorities in their efforts to establish a cave protection zone to the north of the ...
Wildlife Reserve of Conkouati
693
Congo
The Committee did not inscribe the nominated property, as the site is considered of national importance and does not possess distinguishing features of universal value. It noted, furthermore, that the site has been degraded over the past ten years.
Odzala National Park (and annexes)
692
Congo
The Committee discussed whether or not the site is of only national importance and whether it possesses distinguishing features of outstanding universal value.
After a discussion with contributions from the Delegates of Niger, Benin, France and Germany, the Committee decided to defer consideration of the nominated site and to encourage the State Party to further investigate the site in relation to Ndoki National Park to the north as a potential site for nomination and agreed to invite the state Party to seek preparatory assistance for the ...
19 COM VIII.A.4
Extension of a Deferred Site: Galapagos Marine Reserve (Extension of the Galapagos Islands) (Ecuador)
Galapagos Marine Reserve (Extension of the Galapagos Islands)
1bis
Ecuador
The Committee recalled that it deferred the inscription of the Galapagos Marine Reserve at its eighteenth session due to serious threats to the site and in accordance with the IUCN recommendation and the wish of the Observer of Ecuador.
The Delegate from Ecuador requested that the marine extension of the site be deferred until the twentieth session of the committee. This was agreed by the Committee.
Sites: Galápagos Islands
19 COM VIII.A.5
Inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger: Yellowstone National Park (United States of America)
During its examination of monitoring reports, the committee noted threats to Yellowstone National Park (United States of America). On the basis of both ascertained dangers and potential dangers, the committee decided that Yellowstone National Park be placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Sites: Yellowstone National Park
Willandra Lakes Region
167 Rev.
Australia
N(i)C(iii)
The Committee recalled that the site was included on the World Heritage List as a mixed site in 1981. The Committee took note of the new boundary proposal and the information by the Delegate of Australia that the reduction in the size of the area would enhance the World Heritage values of the site.
The Committee, furthermore, having taken note of the fact that the new boundary will reduce the total area by about thirty percent, adopted the revised boundaries, as they better define the area containing the World Heritage values and ...
Sites: Willandra Lakes Region
VIII.5 After having examined at its nineteenth session in July 1995, 28 nominations for inscription of cultural properties and one for a mixed property, the Bureau recommended the inscription of 17 properties. Four nominations had been referred back and six were deferred. The Bureau had also decided to postpone the debate on one proposal for inscription until the session of the out-going Bureau.
VIII.6 In December 1995, eight nominations of cultural properties were examined by the Bureau, of which six were recommended for inscription. One nomination was not recommended and another ...
Lunenburg Old Town
741
Canada
C (iv) (v)
The Committee concluded that Lunenburg Old Town is an outstanding example of the planned European colonial settlement in North America, 1n terms both of it~ conception and its remarkable level of conservation.
The Committee decided to inscribe Lunenburg Old Town on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iv) and (v).
Sites: Old Town Lunenburg
Rapa Nui National Park
715
Chile
C(i) (iii) (v)
The Committee concluded that Rapa Nui National Park contains one of the most remarkable cultural phenomena in the world. An artistic and architectural tradition of great power and imagination was developed by a society that was completely isolated from external cultural influences of any kind for over a millennium. The substantial remains of this culture blend with their natural surroundings to create an unparalleled cultural landscape.
The Committee decided to inscribe the Rapa Nui National Park on the World Heritage List on the basis ...
Sites: Rapa Nui National Park
The Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox
742
Colombia
C(iv) (v)
The Committee concluded that the Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox is an outstanding example of a Spanish colonial settlement established on the banks of a major river and serving an important strategic and commercial role which has survived to a remarkable level of intactness to the present day.
The Committee decided to inscribe the Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iv) and ...
National Archaeoloqical Park of Tierradentro
743
Colombia
C(iii)
The Committee concluded that the hypogea of the National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro are unique testimony to the everyday life, ritual, and burial customs of a developed and stable prehispanic society in the northern Andean region of South America.
The Committee decided to inscribe the National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro on the World Heritage List on the basis of criterion ...
San Agustin Archaeological Park
744
Colombia
C(iii)
The Committee concluded that the wealth of megalithic statuary from the archaeological sites in San Agustin Archaeological Park bears vivid witness to the artistic creativity and imagination of a prehispanic culture that flowered in the hostile tropical environment of the Northern Andes.
The Committee decided to inscribe the San Agustin Archaeological Park on the World Heritage List on the basis of criterion (iii).
19 COM VIII.C.1
Inscription: Kutná Hora: The Historica1 Town Centre with the Church of St. Barbara and the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec (Czech Republic)
Kutná Hora: The Historica1 Town Centre with the Church of St. Barbara and the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec
732
Czech Republic
C(ii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe the site under criteria (ii) and (iv) as an outstanding example of the medieval town whose wealth and prosperity was based on its silver mines. The Church of Saint Barbara and other buildings were underlined as having particular architectural and artistic quality and as having had a profound influence on subsequent developments in the architecture of Central ...
Roskilde Cathedral
695Rev.
Denmark
C(ii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe this property under criteria (ii) and (iv) as Roskilde Cathedral is in many ways the most important ecclesiastical building built of red brick in northern Europe and had a profound influence on the spread of brick for this purpose over the whole region.
The Committee drew the attention of the Danish authorities to the interest of the canonical and episcopal quarter which surrounds the Roskilde Cathedral and encouraged them to take all necessary steps for the safeguarding of this exceptional ...
Sites: Roskilde Cathedral
The Historic Centre of Avignon
228Rev
France
C(i) (ii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe the site under criteria (i), (ii) and (iv), considering that this monumental ensemble in the historic centre of Avignon is an outstanding example of late medieval ecclesiastical, administrative and military architecture, which played a significant role in the development and diffusion of a characteristic form of culture over a wide area of Europe, at a time of critical importance for the development of lasting relationships between the Papacy and the civil powers.
It also decided to inscribe ...
The Historic Centre of Siena
717
Italy
C(i) (ii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe the property on the basis of criteria (i), (ii) and (iv), considering that Siena is an outstanding medieval city that has preserved its character and quality. The city is a work of dedication and imagination in which the buildings have been designed to fit into the overall planned urban fabric, and also to form a whole with the surrounding cultural landscape.
Sites: Historic Centre of Siena
The Historic Centre of Naples
726
Italy
C(ii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe the property on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv), considering that the site is of exceptional value. It is one of the most ancient cities in Europe, whose contemporary urban fabric preserves the elements of its long and eventful history. Its setting on the Bay of Naples gives it an outstanding universal value which has had a profound influence in many parts of Europe and beyond.
Sites: Historic Centre of Naples
Crespi d'Adda
730
Italy
C(iv) (v)
The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iv) and (v), considering that it is an exceptional example of a working village of Europe and North America, dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries, and reflecting the predominant philosophy of enlightened industrialists with respect to their employees. Although the evolution of economic and social conditions constituted an inevitable threat to the survival of Crespi d'Adda, its integrity is remarkable and it has partly conserved its industrial ...
Sites: Crespi d'Adda
Ferrara: city of the Renaissance
733
Italy
C(ii) (iv) (vi)
The Committee decided to inscribe the property on the basis of criteria (ii), (iv) and (vi) considering that the site is of outstanding universal value, being a Renaissance city, remarkably planned, which has retained its urban fabric virtually intact. The developments in town planning expressed in Ferrara were to have a profound influence on the development of urban design throughout the succeeding ...
The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
734
Japan
C(iv) (v)
The Committee decided to inscribe the site under criteria (iv) and (v) as the villages are outstanding examples of a traditional human settlement that is perfectly adapted to its environment. The Committee noted the successful adaptation to economic changes and that survival can only be assured through constant vigilance on both sides, the Government authorities and the inhabitants.
The Town of Luang Prabang
479Rev.
Lao People's Democratic Republic
C(ii) (iv) (v)
The Committee decided to inscribe this site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii), (iv) and (v). Luang Prabang represents, to an exceptional extent, the successful fusion of the traditional architectural and urban structures and those of the European colonial rulers of the 19th and 20th centuries. Its unique townscape is remarkably well preserved, illustrating a key stage in the blending of two distinct cultural ...
Sites: Town of Luang Prabang
Schokland and its surroundings
739
Netherlands
C(iii) (v)
The Committee decided to inscribe this site on the basis of criteria (iii) and (v), considering that Schokland and its surroundings preserve the last surviving evidence of a prehistoric and early historic society that had adapted to the precarious life of wetland settlements under the constant threat of temporary or permanent incursions by the sea. Schokland is included in the agricultural landscape created by the reclamation of the former Zuyder Zee, part of the never-ceasing struggle of the people of the Netherlands against ...
Sites: Schokland and Surroundings
The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
722
Philippines
C(iii) (iv) (v)
The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the World Heritage List under criteria (iii), (iv) and (v), based on the joint evaluation by ICOMOS and IUCN. The rice terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are outstanding examples of living cultural landscapes. They illustrate the traditional techniques and a remarkable harmony between humankind and the natural environment.
The Committee also congratulated the Philippine authorities for having proposed this example of a cultural landscape, thereby ...
Sintra Cultural Landscape
723
Portugal
C(ii) (iv), (v)
The Committee considered that the site is of outstanding universal value as it represents a pioneering approach to Romantic landscaping which had an outstanding influence on developments elsewhere in Europe. It is a unique example of the cultural occupation of a specific location that has maintained its essential integrity as the representation of diverse successive cultures.
The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the basis of criteria (ii), (iv) and (v) and under the following name: The Cultural Landscape of ...
Sites: Cultural Landscape of Sintra
Sokkuram Grotto
736
Republic of Korea
C(i) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe this site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (i) and (iv) as a masterpiece of Far Eastern Buddhist art. The complex that it forms with Pulguksa Temple is an outstanding example of the religious architecture of the region and of the material expression of Buddhist belief.
19 COM VIII.C.1
Inscription: Haeinsa Temple Changgyong P'ango, the Depositories for the Koreana Woodblocks (Republic of Korea)
Haeinsa Temple Changgyong P'ango, the Depositories for the Koreana Woodblocks
737
Republic of Korea
C(iv) (vi)
The Committee decided to inscribe this site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iv) and (vi), in recognition that the Korean version of the Buddhist scriptures (Tripitaka Koreana) at the Haeinsa Temple is one of the most important and most complete corpus of Buddhist doctrinal texts in the world, and is also outstanding for the high aesthetic quality of its workmanship. The buildings in which the scriptures are housed are unique both in terms of their ...
Chongmyo Shrine
738
Republic of Korea
C(iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe this site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criterion (iv), as an outstanding example of the Confucian royal ancestral shrine, which has survived relatively intact since the 16th century, the importance of which is enhanced by the persistence there of an important element of the intangible cultural heritage in the form of traditional ritual practices and forms.
The Delegate of Japan congratulated the Government of the Republic Korea for the inscription of the three cultural properties on the World ...
Sites: Jongmyo Shrine
The Hanseatic Town of Visby
731
Sweden
C(iv) (v)
The Committee decided to inscribe this site on the basis of criteria (iv) and (v) considering its outstanding universal value, representing a unique example of a north European medieval walled town which preserves with remarkable completeness a townscape and assemblage of high-quality ancient buildings.
It also congratulated the Swedish authorities for the conservation programme undertaken over the past few years safeguarding the outer walls and preserving the authenticity of the ...
Sites: Hanseatic Town of Visby
The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh
728
United Kingdom
C(ii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv) as it represents a remarkable blend of the two urban phenomena: the organic medieval growth and 18th and 19th century town planning.
The Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento
747
Uruguay
C(iv)
The Committee concluded that the historic quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento bears remarkable testimony in its layout and its buildings to the nature and objectives of European colonial settlement, in particular during the seminal period at the end of the 17th century.
The Committee decided to inscribe the Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento on the World Heritage List on the basis of criterion ...
19 COM IX.8
Report on the Decisions of the 10th General Assembly and of the 28th Session of the General Conference
IX.8 The Committee, having heard a brief explanation of these documents by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, took note of them without discussion.
19 COM IX.8
Report on the Decisions of the 10th General Assembly and of the 28th Session of the General Conference
IX.8 The Committee, having heard a brief explanation of these documents by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, took note of them without discussion.
19 COM IX.8
Report on the Decisions of the 10th General Assembly and of the 28th Session of the General Conference
IX.8 The Committee, having heard a brief explanation of these documents by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, took note of them without discussion.
X.1 The Committee examined the working document prepared by the Secretariat and recalled paragraph 122 of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention reflecting previous 'discussions held at sessions of the Committee and its Bureau, which focused on:
- the concept of universal value and standards to be applied;- the interpretation of universal value by the advisory bodies;- the number of natural and cultural specialists present at sessions of the Committee and its Bureau;- priorities for granting international assistance.
X.2 The Committee ...
XX.1 Upon the request of the Delegate of Italy, the Committee decided to include in the provisional agenda of the twentieth session of the World Heritage Committee an item on how to assure, after each General Assembly of the States Parties, the concordance of the outgoing Bureau and the newly elected Committee.
XXI.1 Before proceeding to the examination and adoption of the draft report, the Chairperson, with the approval of the Committee, invited the Observer of Afghanistan to take the floor. In thanking the Committee for the emergency assistance granted by the Chairperson for the Minaret of Jam, he referred to the cultural properties of Afghanistan on the tentative list which continue to be threatened by war and illicit traffic. On behalf of his Government, he expressed his hope that these sites could one day be inscribed on the World Heritage List and appealed for international protection for ...
19 COM XI.A.1.3
Progress Report on the Implementation of the “Global Strategy and Thematic Studies”: Cultural Heritage – Global Strategy
XI.3 The Committee considered that in 1996 priority should continue to be given to African cultural heritage and a second subregional meeting would be held in Ethiopia concentrating on the Sudano-sahelian world and the Horn of Africa. The committee took note that in 1997, the cultural heritage of the Caribbean would be the subject of a subregional meeting.
19 COM XI.A.2.7
Progress Report on the Implementation of the “Global Strategy and Thematic Studies”: Cultural Heritage – Thematic Studies
XI.7 The Secretariat presented the regional thematic studies carried out in 1995 and the Committee took note of the detailed reports contained in information documents INF.8 and INF.9.
- "Regional Thematic Study Meeting on Asian Rice Culture and its Terrace Landscapes (Philippines, 28 March to 4 April 1995)- "Asia-Pacific Regional Workshop on Associative Cultural Landscapes" (Australia, 27 to 29 April 1995).
19 COM XI.B.10
Progress Report on the Implementation of the “Global Strategy and Thematic Studies”: Natural Heritage
XI.10 The Committee took note of the action taken by both the Secretariat and IUCN concerning fossil and geological heritage within an overall Global Strategy for natural heritage. The committee furthermore took note of a "World Heritage session" foreseen during the International Geological Congress to be held in Beijing in 1996. Several delegates noted the importance of linking the Global Strategy for natural and cultural heritage.
XII.1 The Centre presented Document WHC-95/CONF.203/9 in which section A focused on Natural Heritage and section B focused on Cultural Heritage sites.
A. Natural Heritage
XII.2 An Information Document "Strategy for Training in the Field of Natural Heritage" WHC-95/CONF.203/INF.11A was tabled. The session began with a background statement referring to state Party responsibilities in Article 5 (e) of the Convention and to the assistance available for training in Article 22 (c). Training is defined as a broadly encompassing term that includes education, training and promotion.
XII.3 The ...
Upon considering the financial accounts as at 31 October 1995 and the cash flow situation, the Committee decided to increase the budgetary allocation for international assistance to US$ 1,500,000 with the following breakdown:
* US$ 175,000 for preparatory assistance;
* US$ 685,000 for technical cooperation, 1/3 for natural and 2/3 for cultural heritage;
* US$ 550,000 for training, half for natural and half for cultural heritage.
The Centre informed the Committee that out of the 51 requests, 14 cases (3 for natural heritage and 11 for cultural heritage) were for sums above US$ 30,000, ...
A.1.1 Technical cooperation
Komodo National Park (Indonesia) (US$ 64,500 requested) The Committee reviewed the request for the purchase of a fibreglass catamaran boat and additional accessories for the GIS system for a total of US$ 64,500. However, in the light of the amount of funds already provided for the purchase of boats for the site, the Committee approved this project for a reduced amount of US$ 30,000, under the condition that the Indonesian authorities find an additional US$ 30,000 from other sources for its purchase. It furthermore suggested that the boat be insured by the ...
B.1.1 Technical cooperation
Preparation of Guidelines for Risk preparedness for World Heritage sites (request presented by ICOMOS) (US$ 30,000 requested) The Committee approved the request of US$ 30,000 for the preparation and publication of the "Guidelines for Risk Preparedness for World Cultural Heritage sites" in 1,000 copies. IUCN should be associated. US$ 15,000 would be provided to ICOMOS from the 1996 budget and the remaining amount would be included in the 1997 budget.
Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos (Bolivia) (US$ 30,000 requested) The Committee approved an amount of US$ ...
While noting that the authority for approving international assistance requests under US$ 30,000 is delegated to the Bureau and those under US$ 20,000 to the Chairperson, the Committee also approved the following training requests discussed during the session:
C.1 Training (Cultural Heritage)
Master Programme in Heritage Conservation (Request submitted by Argentina) (US$ 20,000)The Committee approved the requested amount of US$ 20,000 to finance the participation of six international experts in a series of six workshops to be organized in 1996 by the International Centre for Heritage ...
19 COM XV.1-2
Examination of the World Heritage Fund, and Approval of the Budget for 1996 and Presentation of a Provisional Budget for 1997
XV.1 The Committee approved the report of the Working Group on the World Heritage Fund, and after considerable discussion the 1996 budget was established at US$ 3,000,000. Suggested revisions to the budget format and financial statement were noted and the Centre was requested to continue its efforts to develop more transparency in the presentations. The Committee decided to replenish the Emergency Reserve Fund to US$ 500,000 at 1 January 1996 and 1 January 1997. The Committee, at its closing session, took note of an indicative budget for Chapters 11 to V for 1997 amounting to ...
XVI.6 The adopted text reads as follows:
"Working methods of the World Heritage Committee
1. Following discussions at its meeting in July 1995 the Bureau agreed that the matter of improving the working methods of the Committee should be considered by the Committee at its nineteenth session. The growing number of items on the agenda was considered to require a more rational use of the time available to the Committee.
2. It is recognised that any change to the working methods of the Committee are likely to also impact on the operations of the Bureau, the World Heritage Centre and the ...
XVII.1 The Secretariat introduced the Working Document and recalled that the Committee at its eighteenth session decided that the following specific revisions of the Operational Guidelines should be examined by the Bureau at its nineteenth session.
A. Chapter I, Section C of the operational Guidelines: CRITERIA FOR THE INCLUSION OF CULTURAL PROPERTIES IN THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST (DEFINITION OF AND CRITERIA FOR CULTURAL PROPERTIES)
Based upon the results of four regional and thematic expert meetings that were held in 1994 and 1995 on 'Heritage Canals' (Canada, 15-19 September 1994), ...
19 COM XVIII.1-2
Date and Place of the Twentieth Session of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee
XVIII.1 The Committee decided that the twentieth session of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee would be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from 24 to 29 June 1996, pending confirmation of the availability of UNESCO conference facilities for those dates.
XVIII.2 The Provisional Agenda for the twentieth session of the Bureau as outlined in Document WHC-95/CONF.203/15Rev. was adopted without amendment and is attached as Annex IV.
19 COM XIX.1-4
Date and Place of the Twentieth Session of the World Heritage Committee (December 1996)
XIX.1 The Director of the World Heritage Centre informed the Committee that the Governments of Italy and Mexico have both officially expressed their readiness to host the Committee in 1996, while the Government of Finland would like to host such a meeting in 1998.
XIX.2 The Delegate of Italy thereupon reiterated his Government's invitation to the Committee, indicating however that should the Committee hold its next meeting in Mexico, the 1997 session could possibly be held in Naples. The Delegate of Italy will inform the World Heritage Centre as soon as possible of the agreement of the ...