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UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL,
SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION
CONVENTION CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF THE
WORLD CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE
WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Twenty-seventh session
Paris, UNESCO Headquarters, Room XII
30 June - 5 July 2003
DECISIONS ADOPTED BY THE 27TH SESSION OF
THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE
IN 2003
| Documents: |
WHC-03/27.COM/1 WHC-03/27.COM/INF.1 WHC-03/27.COM/INF.2 Rev 1 |
The 27th session of the World Heritage Committee was opened by Mr Tamás Fejérdy (Hungary) Chairperson, on 30 June 2003 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. The Chairperson welcomed Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, the Director- General of UNESCO, Committee members, States Parties and all observers. The 21 members of the Committee: Argentina, Belgium, China, Colombia, Egypt, Finland, Greece, Hungary, India, Lebanon, Mexico, Nigeria, Oman, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, South Africa, Thailand, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Zimbabwe participated in the session.Eighty-six States Parties to the World Heritage Convention who are not members of the Committee were represented as observers: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Comoros, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Germany, Grenada, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Madagascar, Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Senegal, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam and Yemen.
The Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to UNESCO also attended this session as an observer.
Representatives of the Advisory Bodies to the Committee, namely the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) also attended the session.
27 COM 1 The World Heritage Committee,
- In conformity with Rule 8 (Observers) of the Rules of Procedure of the Committee,
- Accepts the presence of the following international governmental organizations (IGOs), international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals, who have requested Observer participation at the session:
Mr Julian Laird, Earthwatch Institute, Europe
Ms Maria Isabel Correa Kanan, IPHAN, Brazil
Ms Jessica Douglas-Home and Mr Georges Zouain, The Mihai Emisecu Trust, U.K.
Mr Haruhisa Furuta and Mrs Mami Furuta, The Setouchi Research Institute, Japan
Mr Masanori Nagaoka, National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan (NFUAJ), Japan
Mr Daniel Slater, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
Mr S. Jacob Scherr, Natural Resources Defense Council, United States of America
Mr Abdel Kader Bangoura, CEGEN, Conakry, Guinée
Dr Mzalendo Kibunjia, National Museums of Kenya, Kenya
Mr Stefan Benediktsson, Environmental Agency of Iceland, Iceland
Mr Tilman Zulch, International Society for Threatened Peoples, Germany
Mme Dominique Sewane (Independent expert), France
Mr Sergey Tsyplenkov, Mr Joost van Marrewijk and Mr Roman Pukalov, Greenpeace International, Russian Federation
Arch. Carla Maurano, International Centre for Mediterranean Cultural Landscapes, Italy
Mr John O'Sullivan, BirdLife International, United Kingdom
Mr Jon Catton, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, United States of America
Ms Pamela de Maigret, The World Film Group, Canada
Ms Naoko Yokote, Tokyo Broadcasting System, Inc (TBS), Japan
Mr Naguib-Michel Sidhom and Ms Émiko Iinuma, Institut d'Orient, France
Mr Shuichi Koi, Society for Preserving the Nara Palace Site, Japan
- Approves the presence of all those invited by the Director-General of UNESCO in accordance with Rule 8.4 of the Rules of Procedure and as listed in Document WHC- 03/27.COM/1, as well as Ms Melinda Kimble and Mr Ray Wanner, United Nations Foundation (invited by the Director, UNESCO World Heritage Centre).
The List of Participants is included as Annex I to this document.
2 ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
| Document: | WHC-03/27.COM/2 Prov.2 |
27 COM 2 The World Heritage Committee,
- Adopts the agenda as proposed in document WHC-03/27.COM/2 Prov.2
- Noting that the 6th extraordinary session of the World Heritage Committee adopted a decision on item 14A (Nominations to be examined in 2004 and 2005) (see Decision 6 EXT.COM 7);
- Further noting that following Decision 26 COM 26, item 21 (Provisional agenda of the 28th session of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee (April 2004)) is no longer applicable;
- Decides to take note of the following documents: WHC-03/27.COM/15(Ways and Means to reinforce the implementation of the World Heritage Convention), WHC- 03/27.COM/16 (Progress report on the revision of UNESCO's Medium-Term Strategy (31C/4, 2002-2007) and the preparation of the UNESCO Draft Programme and Budget (32C/5, 2004-2005), WHC-03/27.COM/17 (The relationship between the World Heritage Committee and UNESCO),and WHC-03/27.COM/20A (Concept paper on the future development of an international statement or charter of conservation principles);
- Further decides to defer the discussion on WHC-03/27.COM/9 (Global Training Strategy), WHC-03/27.COM/19 (Performance Indicators) and Section A of WHC-03/27.COM/20C (World Heritage Partnerships Initiative) until the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2004.
3 ELECTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON, VICE-CHAIRPERSONS AND RAPPORTEUR
| Documents: | WHC-03/27.COM/3 WHC-03/27.COM/INF.3 |
27 COM 3 The World Heritage Committee,
- Recalling the changes in circumstances which have resulted in the 27th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2003 taking place at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, rather than in Suzhou, China;
- Noting that in view of the above, the transitional provisions relating to the election of the Bureau found in Decision 6 EXT.COM 3, can no longer be applied;
- Decides to elect, on an exceptional basis, a Bureau with the following composition:
- Ms Vera Lacoeuilhe (Saint Lucia) as Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee for the duration of the 27th session of the Committee. After the end of this session Saint Lucia will become a Vice- Chairperson, until the end of the 28th session in 2004;
- Mr Zhang Xinsheng (China) as Chairperson of The World Heritage Committee, whose mandate will begin at the end of the 27th session of the Committee until the end of the 28th session of the Committee in 2004 in China will be a Vice-Chairperson during the 27th session of the Committee;
- Ms Louise Graham (South Africa) as the Rapporteur of the World Heritage Committee for the duration of both the 27th and 28th sessions of the World Heritage Committee;
- Argentina, Nigeria, Oman and the United Kingdom as Vice-Chairpersons for the duration of both the 27th and 28th sessions of the World Heritage Committee;
- Further decides that the Bureau of the 29th session of the World Heritage Committee (June 2005) will be elected at the end of the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee (Suzhou, China, June-July 2004) in accordance with Rule 13.1 of the Rules of Procedure of the World Heritage Committee.
4 REPORT OF THE RAPPORTEUR OF THE 6TH EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE
| Document: | WHC-03/27.COM/4 |
27 COM 4 The World Heritage Committee,
- Notes with appreciation the Report of the Rapporteur on the 6th extraordinary session of the World Heritage Committee in 2003;
- Requests the World Heritage Centre, in order to facilitate the implementation of its decisions and to better plan and manage its workload during future sessions, to prepare a "Directory of Decisions by deadline" according to the model as proposed by the Rapporteur attached as an annex to the Summary Record (WHC-03/27.COM/INF.24);
- Further requests the World Heritage Centre in order to ensure an institutional memory of the World Heritage Committee decisions, to prepare "A General index of decisions of the Committee", by theme and property according to the model as proposed by the Rapporteur attached as an annex to the Summary Record (WHC-03/27.COM/INF.24);.
- Also requests the World Heritage Centre to update these Directories before every session of the World Heritage Committee.
5 REPORT OF THE SECRETARIAT
| Documents: | WHC-03/27.COM/5 WHC-03/27.COM/INF.5A |
27 COM 5.1 The World Heritage Committee,
- Taking note of the Report of the Secretariat as presented in document WHC-03/27.COM/5;
- Recalling the need for the Committee to be kept informed on the implementation of its decisions;
- Invites the Secretariat to present to the Committee, at each of its ordinary ordinary sessions, a "Report on the Implementation of the Decisions taken by the World Heritage Committee". This Report will replace the Secretariat Report.
Implementation of the Decision 26 COM 6.1, 26 COM 6.2 and 26 COM 24.2.5, concerning the protection of the cultural heritage of the Palestinian Territories
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/INF. 5
27 COM 5.2 The World Heritage Committee,
- Having taken note of the information concerning the threats to the archaeological property of Tell Rumeida, in the Palestinian Territories;
- Requests the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to carry out a mission to the property to examine its state of conservation at the earliest possible time, within the scope of Decision 26 COM 6.1 concerning the protection of the cultural heritage in the Palestinian Territories, and submit a report to the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Appeals to all concerned parties to ensure that the cultural and natural heritage of the region is preserved, and that destruction or irreversible damage be avoided.
6A STATE OF THE WORLD HERITAGE IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC 2003 - SYNTHESIS PERIODIC REPORT FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
| Document: | WHC-03/27.COM/INF.6A |
27 COM 6A The World Heritage Committee,
- Expresses its sincere appreciation to the Asia- Pacific States Parties, the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies for their collaboration over the past 6 years that led to the successful preparation of the comprehensive "Synthesis Regional Periodic Report for the Asia-Pacific Region 2003";
- Takes note of the sub-regional and regional recommendations and action plans proposed in the "Synthesis Regional Periodic Report for the Asia-Pacific Region 2003", which were elaborated by the States Parties together with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, based upon the conclusions of the Periodic Reporting Exercise and the national, sub-regional and regional Consultative Meetings;
- Requests the World Heritage Centre to produce a publication within three months if possible, to be funded from extrabudgetary funds, on "The State of World Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region", and to make the Report and the information contained in the Asia-Pacific States Parties' national periodic reports available through electronic or other appropriate means (CD-ROM and/or on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre's web site);
- Recommends to the Director-General of UNESCO that he reviews operations and staffing in the regional offices in Asia and the Pacific by 2005 to ensure that improved services are provided in a co-ordinated manner with the World Heritage Centre to assist the Asia-Pacific States Parties in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention;
- Decides to favourably consider and support the proposed Programmes "ActionAsia 2003-2009" and "World Heritage- Pacific 2009", which directly respond to the conclusions, recommendations, and action plans resulting from this Periodic Reporting Exercise (Document WHC-03/27.COM/20B);
- Strongly encourages the Asia-Pacific States Parties to take the necessary actions to follow up in a concerted and concrete manner, the recommendations and action plans proposed at national levels to address effectively and in a timely manner the conservation challenges to World Heritage in the Asia-Pacific Region.
6B FOLLOW-UP TO PERIODIC REPORTING IN THE ARAB STATES AND AFRICA AND PREPARATIONS IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN AND IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA
| Document: | WHC-03/27.COM/6B |
27 COM 6B The World Heritage Committee,
- Requests the World Heritage Centre to produce a publication within three months, if possible, to be funded from extrabudgetary funds, on the Arab States Periodic Report carried out in the year 2000 and information on the follow-up actions. This publication is also to be made available through electronic or other appropriate means (CD-Rom and/or on the UNESCO World Heritage Centre's web site);
- Notes the progress made to date in the preparation for the Periodic Reporting in Latin America and the Caribbean and in Europe and North America.
7A STATE OF CONSERVATION OF PROPERTIES INSCRIBED ON THE LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE IN DANGER
| Documents: | WHC-03/27.COM/7A and 7A. Corr WHC-03/27.COM/INF.7A WHC-03/27.COM/INF.7B WHC-03/27.COM/INF.7E |
NATURAL HERITAGEManovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Central African Republic)
| Document: | WHC-03/27.COM/7A and 7A. Corr |
27 COM 7A.1 The World Heritage Committee,
- Reiterates its serious concern for the state of conservation of this property and the need for increased international support and co-operation, including that between the Central African Republic, Chad and Sudan;
- Requests that the State Party take all necessary measures to halt mining along the Manovo River in order to minimize negative impacts of mining on the integrity of the Park and confirm in writing the outcome of the measures taken;
- Recommends that IUCN and the World Heritage Centre, in co-operation with the State Party, urgently undertake a mission to the property to evaluate the status of the outstanding universal value for which it was inscribed on the World Heritage List and the extent to which that value may have been irreversibly compromised by prevailing threats to the property and submit the findings and recommendations of that mission, if possible to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Requests the World Heritage Centre and the State Party to adapt the Emergency Rehabilitation plan to the changed situation in the field;
- Invites the State Party to provide an up-to-date report on the status of implementation of the revised plan by 1 February 2004 for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Decides to retain the Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park in the List of World Heritage in Danger.
World Heritage properties of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC):
Virunga National Park; Garamba National Park; Kahuzi-Biega National Park; Okapi Wildlife Reserve and Salonga National Park:
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.2 The World Heritage Committee,
- Expresses its serious concerns about the continuing threats of poaching in all properties and encroachments and cattle farming in Virunga;
- Commends international conservation NGOs, the UNESCO/DRC/UNF (United Nations Foundation) Project and the Governments of Germany and Belgium for their commitment to support staff of the properties and to mobilize necessary financial and human resources needed to mitigate threats to the integrity of the five properties;
- Invites the new National Unity Government of the State Party to commit itself to protecting the integrity of the five World Heritage properties and co-operate with United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) and all other concerned UN, international and national authorities to ensure the complete removal of all armed groups from the territories of the five World Heritage properties;
- Urges the new National Unity Government of the State Party to call upon all sections of society, including the military forces, local communities residing near the World Heritage properties and the broader public to commit to supporting the work of the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) at the national, regional and property levels and provide the necessary human, material and financial resources for the conservation of the five World Heritage properties and biodiversity resources of the DRC;
- Requests the new National Unity Government of the State Party to enforce the legislation prohibiting mining and other resource extraction activities within the five World Heritage properties and to give careful consideration to the environmental impact of such activities, whenever they are planned for implementation outside the World Heritage properties;
- Reiterates its call for urgent and high-level diplomatic initiatives to halt illegal encroachment and settlements threatening the Virunga National Park and to ensure that all authorities respect the international significance and neutrality of World Heritage properties and assist property staff and other conservation authorities to effectively protect those properties;
- Expresses its appreciation to the United States Government, the European Union and other donor countries and international organizations for the launching of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership and invites them to work with the State Party and the Secretariat to develop a programme to consolidate the achievements of the UNESCO/DRC/UNF project;
- Recommends that the Director-General of UNESCO consider, in co-operation with the Government of Belgium, IUCN, UNF, NGO partners and other appropriate States Parties, institutions and organizations, to launch an international campaign for supporting World Heritage and biodiversity conservation in the DRC and to ensure the full recovery of the World Heritage value of the five properties;
- Decides to retain the Garamba, Salonga, Kahuzi- Biega and Virunga National Parks and the Okapi Wildife Reserve of the DRC on the List of World Heritage in Danger, and to examine their state of conservation at its 28th session in 2004.
Simien National Park (Ethiopia)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.3 The World Heritage Committee,
- Commends the State Party on actions undertaken during the past year to improve the conservation of the Simien National Park World Heritage property;
- Recommends that the State Party continue implementing the positive measures mentioned in its report until significant on-the-ground conservation improvements are evident;
- Recommends that IUCN, using expertise from its Species Survival Commission and in co-operation with the State Party, takes measures to verify the increase in the population estimates of Walia Ibex and Simien Fox reported by the State Party;
- Invites the State Party to provide to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2004, additional information on progress made on the state of conservation of the property, particularly in relation to the benchmarks for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger and other recommendations outlined in the IUCN/UNESCO mission report (April 2001) for noting or review as appropriate by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Decides to retain the Simien National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Guinea/Côte d'Ivoire)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.4 The World Heritage Committee,
- Expresses concern that the political turmoil in Côte d'Ivoire has led to the suspension of operations of the Mount Nimba ecosystem conservation project in Côte d'Ivoire and has compelled some of the NGO partners to withdraw staff from the area;
- Commends Fauna and Flora International on its commitment to continue co-operation with the Guinean State Party in addressing the refugee crisis and developing a long-term management project;
- Commends the Centre de Gestion de l'Environnement des Monts Nimba (CEGEN) for its important role in promoting and managing international co-operation with relevant partners under the prevailing difficult circumstances to protect the natural values of the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve;
- Invites the Liberian Government, the Côte d'Ivoire and the Guinean authorities including CEGEN to co-operate with the World Heritage Centre, IUCN, NGO partners, UNDP, humanitarian agencies and others concerned to explore ways and means of minimizing impacts, particularly those caused by uncontrolled movement of refugees due to the conflict in Cote d'Ivoire and the worsening security conditions in Liberia;
- Decides to retain Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve on the List of World Heritage in Danger, and to examine its state of conservation at its 28th session in 2004.
Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.5 The World Heritage Committee,
- Expresses its serious concerns regarding the lack of clarity on the information received on the vehicles provided with financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund and reported stolen, and reiterates its request from the 26th session of the Committee in 2002, that the State Party report on the above issue and on progress made in the implementation of the rehabilitation plan;
- Requests IUCN and the World Heritage Centre, in co-operation with the State Party, to undertake a mission to the property and carry out a systematic assessment and to submit a report by 1 February 2004 for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Decides to retain the Air and Ténéré Nature Reserves on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (Senegal)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.6 The World Heritage Committee,
- Congratulates the State Party and associated partners for their efforts to control Salvinia molesta in a cost effective manner;
- Notes that savings made in the project funds are being used for strengthening State Party capacity to protect the property and implement measures benefiting the conservation of waterfowl;
- Requests the State Party to continue co- operating with IUCN, the World Heritage Centre, the Ramsar Convention Secretariat and other relevant partners in carrying out an urgent assessment of the scale and threat of Typha australis and Eichhornia crassipes to the property and in finding successful control measures to reduce the spread of these species to an acceptable level. The IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group, which already assisted in the case of Salvinia molesta, would be willing to provide technical support for this work at the request of the State Party;
- Recommends that the State Party, the World Heritage Centre, IUCN, and the Ramsar Convention Secretariat provide advice by 1 February 2004 for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004 on possible benchmarks and timeframes that could facilitate the Committee deliberations on the possible removal of the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Decides to retain the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Rwenzori Mountains National Park (Uganda)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.7 The World Heritage Committee,
- Noting that IUCN believes that the property's conditions have improved substantially since it was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1999 and that the State Party is showing increased commitment to the conservation of the property;
- Commends the Uganda Wildlife Authority for the improvements to the management of the property and their efforts to protect the property in times of instability;
- Invites the State Party to consider according a greater level of financial support to ensure the minimum level of effective property management, while also working with partners to seek further financial and technical support from external sources, especially for the development and implementation of a management plan for the property;
- Recommends that the State Party establish co- operation between property staff and security forces to map out landmine-free zones for tourism in the Park; if necessary, the State Party may request the Chairperson of the Committee to approve modest financial assistance from the World Heritage Fund;
- Recommends the State Party submit a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 addressing the UNESCO/IUCN mission recommendations and describing benchmarks and timeframes for monitoring progress in implementation of mission recommendations for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004 to enable it to consider removing the Rwenzori Mountain National Park from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Decides to retain the Rwenzori Mountains National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Ichkeul National Park (Tunisia)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.8 The World Heritage Committee,
- Congratulates the State Party for successfully convening a workshop, held in January 2003 to identify indicators and benchmarks in order to monitor the recovery of the property, and for demonstrating strong commitment to the rehabilitation of the Ichkeul National Park;
- Urges the State Party to write to the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee confirming that it will consider the Ichkeul National Park as a water "consumer" and commit to an annual water inflow into the lake of an average of 80 to 120 million cubic metres from the upstream dams through water releases or overflow, as requested in point 2 of the recommendations of the workshop and indicating the expected date of completion of the construction of necessary infrastructure of dams and canals to enable such releases as and when needed;
- Invites the State Party to create an autonomous and permanent management structure, that takes into consideration the specificities of Ichkeul and the sustainability of its values, with appropriate decision-making powers, and the establishment of a "Committee 21" for elaborating a local Agenda 21 as requested in the recommendations;
- Recommends that IUCN and the World Heritage Centre co-operate with the Ramsar Convention Secretariat and other partners to ensure timely and effective implementation of the Global Environment Facility/World Bank Project to prepare a participatory management plan for the Park;
- Urges the State Party to continue implementing the restoration programmes for Ichkeul Lake and co-operate with IUCN, the World Heritage Centre and the Ramsar Convention Secretariat to review annually the progress;
- Requests the State Party to submit a report by 1 February 2004 to the World Heritage Centre and IUCN on the outcome of Ichkeul National Park rehabilitation, clearly highlighting the scientific and technical improvements put in place, as well as on threats and limitations to the effective rehabilitation of Ichkeul Lake against the benchmarks and indicators that were identified in the above-mentioned workshop;
- Requests the World Heritage Centre and IUCN to review these reports and to inform the Committee of major achievements, or difficulties encountered in the effective rehabilitation of Ichkeul, as appropriate;
- Decides to retain the Ichkeul National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (India)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.9 The World Heritage Committee,
- Commends the Indian Government and partner institutes and research bodies for their efforts in preparing a World Heritage Biodiversity Programme for India with support for project preparation from the United Nations Foundation (UNF);
- Invites the State Party to submit a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on the possible financing and execution of the Programme, including the implementation measures recommended by the 26th session of the Committee and the IUCN mission of early 2002 for the conservation of Manas, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Decides to retain Manas Wildlife Sanctuary on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Srebarna Nature Reserve (Bulgaria)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.10 The World Heritage Committee,
- Notes that the management plan was submitted by the State Party on 25 June 2003;
- Encourages the State Party to request, if necessary, technical assistance from the World Heritage Fund to urgently purchase a portable electric generator to enable rapid closure of the sluice gates in a potential emergency situation;
- Urges the State Party to submit a calendar of activities for preparing a proposal for a transborder World Heritage area in the Danube Delta in co-operation with other concerned States Parties;
- Decides to remove Srebarna Nature Reserve from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Requests the State Party, IUCN and the World Heritage Centre to collaborate and discuss issues related to the implementation of the management plan and to provide a report by 1 February 2004 on the key management issues and in particular the results of the monitoring programme, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004.
Everglades National Park (United States of America)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.11 The World Heritage Committee,
- Notes the detailed report by the State Party provided on 17 April 2003 and acknowledges the effort and commitment by the State Party in addressing key management problems;
- Invites the State Party to co-operate with the World Heritage Centre and IUCN to prepare a report by 1 February 2004 for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004, describing the steps the State Party intends to take to develop and implement action plans and define parameters and conditions to monitor progress in the restoration of the property, with a view to facilitating the Committee's future considerations for removing this property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Decides to retain the Everglades National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger, as requested by the State Party.
Yellowstone (United States of America)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.12 The World Heritage Committee,
- Notes the detailed report by the State Party provided on 17 April 2003;
- Urges the State Party to continue to report on Yellowstone's snowmobile phase-out and other efforts to ensure that winter travel facilities respect the protection of the Park, its visitors, and its wildlife;
- Recommends that the State Party continue its efforts in ensuring that the Mclaren Mine tailings are not contaminating the property;
- Recognizes the progress made in addressing all the key issues that led to the inclusion of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1995 and considers that the reasons for retaining the property on this List no longer exist;
- Congratulates the State Party for the considerable efforts and suggests to use this as a model case for promoting success stories of the World Heritage Convention and for international co-operation with other States Parties facing similar problems in World Heritage properties;
- Decides to remove the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Invites the State Party:
- continue its commitment to address the issues that have concerned the Committee in the past,
- to provide to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004, existing recovery plans setting out targets and indicators for the 6 remaining long-term management issues (mining activities outside the park, threats to bison, threats to cutthroat trout, water quality issues, road impacts and visitor use impacts), for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004,
- to continue to report to the Committee on the original threats and the progress made towards resolving these issues until such time that the Committee decides that the reports are no longer needed. These reports shall include public input, including - but not limited to - independent experts, NGOs and other key stakeholders.
Sangay National Park (Ecuador)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.13 The World Heritage Committee,
- Expresses satisfaction with the progress made by the IUCN/UNESCO/United Nations Foundation (UNF) Project "Enhancing Our Heritage" (EOH);
- Commends the State Party for its co-operation on this project and urges the State Party to continue this collaboration in order to improve protection of the property;
- Recommends that the State Party work closely with the coordinator of the project "Enhancing Our Heritage" and Fundacion Natura in order to seek appropriate funding for the revision of the management plan as a priority, and for the participatory development of a community liaison and a capacity- building programme;
- Expresses concern that the Guamote-Macas road continues to threaten the integrity of the property and urges the State Party to consider all possible mitigation measures to reduce the impacts of the road on the property;
- Recommends that the State Party in co-operation with the coordinators of the EOH and the Fundacion Natura projects, provide a detailed update to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on the state of conservation of Sangay, including benchmarks and indicators that may be useful in deciding the timing of the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Decides to retain the Sangay National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.14 The World Heritage Committee,
- Expresses satisfaction with the work being carried out to assist property management under the "Enhancing our Heritage" (EOH) Project and the Sustainable Tourism and Biodiversity Conservation Project, both financed by the United Nations Foundation (UNF);
- Commends the State Party for its efforts to continue to improve management of the property;
- Further commends the State Party for inviting an IUCN/UNESCO mission to the property which is currently taking place, as recommended by the earlier mission in 2000 in order to systematically assess progress and establish benchmarks and timeframes that may facilitate the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Decides to retain the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Royal Palaces of Abomey (Benin)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.15 The World Heritage Committee,
- Thanking the Government of Japan for their financial contribution to the restoration of King Behanzin's Palace,
- Requests the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS in co-operation with the State Party to undertake an evaluation mission to the property in view of preparing a report by 1 February 2004 for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004 on the state of conservation of this property to enable the World Heritage Committee to decide whether or not to remove it from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Decides to retain Royal Palaces of Abomey on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Timbuktu (Mali)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.16 The World Heritage Committee,
- Noting the report of the UNESCO mission undertaken in 2002, and the recommendations aimed at safeguarding Timbuktu Old Town and the three mosques inscribed in the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Expresses its appreciation to the Italian Government for its support towards the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Africa;
- Recalling the ICOMOS evaluation of the nomination dossier in 1987, recommending the inclusion of the Timbuktu Old Town in the World Heritage List;
- Invites the State Party to implement to the extent possible the recommendations made by the UNESCO mission and contained in the Africa Periodic Report, such as considering the possibility of submitting a new nomination dossier to extend the current World Heritage property by including the entire Old Town of Timbuktu; elaborating management plans for the three mosques; organizing two workshops in Timbuktu on the elaboration of a management plan and on the restoration of earthen urban structures in African historic towns;
- Decides to retain Timbuktu on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Tipasa (Algeria)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.17 The World Heritage Committee,
- Having noted the information provided by the World Heritage Centre following the mission to the property;
- Strongly encourages the Government of Algeria to take the necessary measures towards the swift implementation of the recommendations contained in the World Heritage Centre's report, and notably:
- The immediate delimitation of the official perimeter of the World Heritage property and its buffer zone, based on the existing archaeological studies, and the issuing of a temporary decree freezing all constructions within these boundaries,
- The establishment of a plan, including a timeframe, to relocate families presently living within the property, outside the perimeter of the property, in consultation with the interested parties and local authorities,
- The strengthening of the human and financial resources of the local Inspectorate, possibly providing it with an annual operational budget (excluding staff and running costs) equivalent to US$ 50,000,
- The repairing of the roofing of the storages, which are today in a critical state of conservation, and where important objects are kept,
- Urgent preventive conservation measures for mosaics and other exposed structures, including a more effective visitor control,
- The adoption of the bylaws of the National Antiquities Law of 1998 and the quick elaboration and implementation of the safeguarding and interpretation plan of the property to replace the existing urban instruments,
- The preparation, in the above framework, of a management plan for the property, also in consultation with the World Heritage Centre;
- Expresses its appreciation to the State Party for the elaboration of new bylaws concerning the application of the 1998 Antiquity Law;
- Requests the State Party to submit a report on progress achieved on the above recommendations to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2004 for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Decides to retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Abu Mena (Egypt)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.18 The World Heritage Committee,
- Having taken note of the information provided by the World Heritage Centre on the results of the mission to the property;
- Commends the State Party for the efforts which are made in order to complete the programme for the protection of the area;
- Stresses, however, that engineering solutions to the groundwater problems might prove not cost-effective and sustainable if the source of the problem is not addressed in a comprehensive and co-ordination effort;
- Recommends to the State Party to halt the on- going engineering interventions and review Phases II and III of the project, taking into account the recommendations of the World Heritage Centre expert;
- Recommends to the State Party to consider establishing a Cultural Heritage Co-ordination Unit within the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), which would be responsible for maintaining contacts with all institutions involved in planning activities with a potential impact on heritage, as well as for promoting pro-active assessment, planning, monitoring and management of all activities within these properties;
- Suggests to the State Party to consider requesting international assistance for technical co-operation, if necessary, with a view to set up this Unit and develop its operational procedures;
- Requests the State Party to submit a report to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2004, on the progress in the implementation of these recommendations for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Decides to retain the property of Abu Mena on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Bahla Fort (Oman)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.19 The World Heritage Committee,
- Commends the Oman authorities for the progress achieved in the preparation of the management plan and for having re-appointed a Chief Site Conservator;
- Encourages the State Party to continue supporting the elaboration of the management plan, as well as the development of national capacity towards the establishment of a permanent management structure that will be responsible for the daily implementation of the Plan;
- Invites the State Party to hold the first of the two workshops foreseen for the reviewing and development of the management plan, and to involve all concerned stakeholders, including representatives from the local population;
- Reiterates the importance of ensuring that the project for the new market be developed in close consultation with the World Heritage Centre and Management Plan Team, and takes into account the character of the local vernacular architecture, including its traditional materials and construction techniques;
- Requests ICOMOS to conduct an overall evaluation of the project for the new market and, as soon as available, of the final management plan, and to submit a report on the matter to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 for examination by the Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Decides to consider the possibility of removing the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger at its 28th session in 2004 having taken into account all ICOMOS recommendations and whether or not the management plan is completed and adopted by the Oman authorities;
- Decides to retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Historic Town of Zabid (Yemen)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.20 The World Heritage Committee,
- Noting that, despite the commitment and support of the Government, progress has been very slow in addressing the threats that had justified the inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Urges the Government of Yemen to take immediate measures towards the enforcement of the ban on new constructions within the Old City decided in 2001, and the strengthening of the local bodies in charge of the conservation of the property, including the local General Organization for the Preservation of the Historic Cities of Yemen (GOPHCY) Unit, possibly through the project for the establishment of a Heritage House in Zabid;
- Recommends to the State Party to adopt and start implementing, on a temporary basis, the Preliminary Urban Conservation Plan prepared by the World Heritage Centre in December 2002, together with its regulations;
- Requests the State Party and the World Heritage Centre to continue working in close co-operation and in consultation with the local population and all other concerned actors and stakeholders, to finalize the Urban Conservation Plan and co-ordinate the efforts for the rehabilitation of the property;
- Requests the State Party to provide to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 a report on the progress made on the above recommendations for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Decides to retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.21 The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined the state of conservation report of the Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam;
- Notes with concern the instability of the leaning Minaret, continued illicit on-site excavation and lack of management mechanism;
- Expresses appreciation to the Governments of Greece, Italy and Switzerland for their generous contributions for the protection of the property;
- Requests the State Party and UNESCO to continue to co-operate closely to enhance the protection, conservation and management of the property to prevent looting on-site and to examine the environmental impact that the proposed thoroughfare in the immediate vicinity of the Minaret may cause, and to this end;
- Requests the World Heritage Centre to organize with ICOMOS, a reactive monitoring mission to assist the authorities in examining this latter issue, and to submit a report for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Decides to retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Angkor (Cambodia)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.22 The World Heritage Committee,
- Commends the Government of Cambodia and particularly the Authority for the Protection of the Site and Development of the Region of Angkor (APSARA) for submitting a detailed report to the Committee on the major conservation activities carried out at the property with the generous technical and financial contributions from Japan, France, Italy, Germany, United States of America, Switzerland, China, Indonesia, Hungary, India and private groups and foundations such as ACCOR and the World Monument Fund;
- Encourages APSARA to:
- Continue the implementation of the existing management plan as appropriate;
- Review the management plan to ensure that tourism development is adequately controlled to mitigate negative impact upon the outstanding universal value of the property and the local communities;
- Reinforce on-site legal provisions for heritage protection together with their administrative measures for implementation of such provisions;
- Recommends to the State Party the strengthening of co-operation between APSARA and the provincial authorities to improve preventive measures against on-site looting and theft;
- Requests the UNESCO Secretariat, the Advisory Bodies and other international partners to continue to support the national and local authorities in implementing the above- mentioned action by providing appropriate international assistance;
- Requests the State Party to provide a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on the state of conservation of the property for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004, to enable it to decide whether or not to retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Decides to retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Group of Monuments of Hampi (India)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.23 The World Heritage Committee,
- Having noted the information provided by the World Heritage Centre further to its mission to the property;
- Commends the State Party, particularly the Karnataka State Government, for the tangible action taken to implement the corrective measures to protect the World Heritage property;
- Congratulates the State Party for the decision to postpone the completion of the vehicular bridge until the by- pass road is constructed and to consider the vehicular bridge to be temporary, pending the identification of a long-term solution within the Hampi management plan;
- Stresses the importance of the Karnataka State Government adopting provisional regulations for new construction and renovation in the World Heritage protected area to halt uncontrolled urbanization;
- Recommends to the State Party, the establishment of a technical unit to support the Hampi World Heritage Management Authority and the concerned national authorities, to ensure building control and community advisory service for conservation;
- Encourages the State Party to mobilize social housing, agricultural support and cottage craft industry subsidies and technical expertise in the elaboration of, and financial resources for, the Hampi management plan, to ensure that conservation and development needs of the local population, especially the poor, are addressed;
- Invites the State Party to continue consulting UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies in the elaboration of the management plan and in the architectural design of the visitor centre;
- Requests the World Heritage Centre to strengthen efforts to mobilize international support for the conservation of Hampi, particularly for large-scale regional infrastructure to support conservation and sustainable development objectives;
- Requests the State Party to submit a progress report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004 on the corrective measures taken;
- Decides to retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Fort and Shalamar Gardens inof Lahore (Pakistan)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.24 The World Heritage Committee,
- Expresses appreciation to the State Party for submitting the revised work plan and budget breakdown for the Shalamar Gardens International Assistance request;
- Requests the Advisory Bodies and the World Heritage Centre to assist the authorities in implementing this International Assistance request;
- Requests the State Party to examine the heritage values of Shalamar Gardens and Lahore Fort to redefine the core, buffer and support zones of these two properties;
- Takes note with satisfaction, of the on-going positive co-operation between the Department of Archaeology and other national, provincial and municipal authorities, in order to redress the encroachment issues surrounding the Shalamar Gardens;
- Takes note with appreciation of the positive actions taken or being planned by the State Party and the World Heritage Centre to rehabilitate the Shalamar Gardens and to elaborate a comprehensive management plan, although regretting the delays in implementing the emergency assistance activity for taking corrective measures to remove the threats to the property;
- Takes note with appreciation of the positive actions taken by the State Party in co-operation with the Government of Norway and UNESCO Islamabad Office for the rehabilitation of the Lahore Fort, through documentation of the property, repairing the Shish Mahal ceiling, redefining the core and buffer zones and preparing a comprehensive management plan for the conservation of the property;
- Requests the State Party, in the meantime, to (a) examine the strengths and weaknesses of the existing legal management provisions, and (b) identify areas for harmonizing lacunas or overlaps in jurisdiction of the area immediately surrounding the Shalamar Gardens;
- Requests the UNESCO Secretariat to continue efforts to mobilize international support to implement the corrective measures;
- Requests the State Party to submit a progress report by 1 February 2004 to the World Heritage Centre for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Decides to retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras (Philippines)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.25 The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined the state of conservation of the property;
- Recommends that the State Party considers ways and means to enable the Ifugao Rice Terraces and Cultural Heritage Office (IRTCHO) to raise and use funds other than the subsidies provided by the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA), and increase stakeholder involvement in its work;
- Requests UNESCO, the Advisory Bodies and other international partners to support and strengthen the international co-operation activities with the competent national and local authorities by mobilising appropriate international assistance to the maximum extent possible;
- Requests that the State Party provide a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on progress made in the implementation of corrective measures recommended by the IUCN/ICOMOS mission of September 2001 for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Decides to retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Butrint (Albania)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.26 The World Heritage Committee,
- Expresses its appreciation to the Albanian authorities for the progress made with the legal protection of and the institutional arrangements for the World Heritage property;
- Recalls that a mission is foreseen to the property in October 2003 in order to assess if the property can be removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Requests that a report, taking into account all issues which led to the inscription of the property in the List of World Heritage in Danger, be submitted to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Decides to retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor (Serbia and Montenegro)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.27 The World Heritage Committee,
- Acknowledges the results of the international UNESCO/ICOMOS mission to the property providing updated information;
- Notes that the threats for which the property was included on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1979, namely the partial destruction due to an earthquake, have been mitigated through professional restoration;
- Expresses its concern about the risks that excessive and uncontrolled urbanisation have on the exceptional universal value of the property;
- Requests the State Party to take into account the specific recommendations from the mission, in particular to prepare a management plan for the World Heritage area, and to appoint a property co- ordinator;
- Endorses the proposal for a Round Table, to be organised in co-operation with the World Heritage Centre and , ICOMOS and ICCROMUCN, in order to include all stakeholders in the management planning; (MR has a question on this.22/10/03)
- Requests an update report on progress made to be submitted to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004, including a deadline for the submission of the management plan, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Decides to remove the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.28 The World Heritage Committee,
- Taking note of the measures and the studies undertaken by the State Party to protect the property;
- Commending the State Party for the efforts made to monitor the water level;
- Urges the State Party to adopt the draft legislation foreseen;
- Strongly recommends that the State Party defines the limits of the property in order to avoid further encroachment;
- Recommends that the State Party reviews the system of water canalisation, water distribution and considers requesting international assistance under the World Heritage Fund to identify the appropriate remedial measures;
- Requests the State Party to submit a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004, on the progress made in implementing the above-mentioned measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;
- Decides to retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
The Old City of Jerusalem and its walls
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7A 27 COM 7A.29 The World Heritage Committee,
- Requests the UNESCO Secretariat to present a report on the state of conservation of the Old City of Jerusalem and its walls for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004.
7B STATE OF CONSERVATION REPORTS OF PROPERTIES INSCRIBED ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST
| Documents: | WHC-03/27.COM/7B and 7B. Corr WHC-03/27.COM/INF.7A WHC-03/27.COM/INF.7C WHC-03/27.COM/INF.7D WHC-03/27.COM/INF.7E |
NATURAL HERITAGE
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.1 The World Heritage Committee, 2
- Recalling that requests have been made by the Committee and its Bureau to the State Party to take urgent actions to stop illegal poaching in the Reserve and to implement the recommendations of the Sangmelima workshop ("Participative Management and Sustainable Development", 23 - 26 March, 1998, organised by World Heritage Centre);
- Noting that the State Party has renewed efforts to improve the management of Dja Faunal Reserve by drafting a management plan;
- Welcomes the actions being undertaken by the State Party to implement the recommendations of the Sangmelima workshop, requested by various sessions of the Committee and the Bureau within the framework of the Periodic Report;
- Requests the State Party to submit a copy of the draft management plan to the World Heritage Centre and IUCN by 1 February 2004 for their review in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004;
- Expresses appreciation for the support provided under the Netherlands Funds- iIn- Trust agreement with UNESCO to assist Cameroon to undertake actions recommended by the Committee for the protection of Dja Faunal Reserve, including the rapid assessment of biodiversity of the property.
Taï National Park (Côte d'Ivoire)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B and 7B.Corr 27 COM 7B.2 The World Heritage Committee,
- Recalling decision 26 COM 21 (b) 6 taken during the 26th session of The World Heritage Committee, requesting the State Party to provide a detailed report on the situation with regard to poaching of wildlife at the property, and encouraging the State Party to invite a mission to Taï National Park to evaluate the state of conservation of the property and to inform the Committee on whether or not it should be inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Takes note of the recent report submitted by the State Party to the World Heritage Centre informing of the present situation at the property;
- Takes note that the property is no longer occupied by rebel forces;
- Expresses its concern with regard to the eventual impact on the integrity of the property caused by civil unrest;
- Requests the State Party to submit a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004, if possible, with particular reference to the impact of poaching at the property, the reopening of hunting throughout the country and the effects of civil unrest on the integrity of the property;
- Accepts the invitation of the State Party for a mission, as requested during its 26th session, and requests IUCN and the World Heritage Centre to field a mission as soon as the security in the country is assured. The objective of the mission would be to review the state of conservation of the property. The report of the mission and the report of the State Party are to be provided in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004;
- Encourages donors such as GTZ (German Technical Co-operation) and the European Union, who already assist the State Party in the management of the development of Taï, as well as the non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to continue their support, and also encourages other donors to mobilise their resources to support other properties in the Côte d'Ivoire.
Comoé National Park (Côte d'Ivoire)
Documents: WHC-03/27.COM/7B and 7B.Corr 27 COM 7B.3 The World Heritage Committee,
- Recalling the decision made at its 23rd session in 1999, requesting the State Party to consider inviting a mission to Comoé National Park during 2000 to review threats to the integrity of the property and plan appropriate emergency rehabilitation measures and to submit a detailed state of conservation report to enable the Committee to consider including this property in the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Noting the recent report of the State Party to the World Heritage Centre, received 5 May 2003, which highlights that the situation at this property has deteriorated and is now in real danger due to civil unrest;
- Expresses its serious concern over
- the potential impacts of the current civil unrest on the integrity of the property,
- the decrease of large mammal populations due to increased and uncontrolled poaching,
- the lack of effective management mechanisms;
- Decides to inscribe the Comoé National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Welcomes the State Party's invitation for a mission, as requested by its 23rd session in 1999, and requests IUCN and the World Heritage Centre to carry out a mission as soon as the security situation permits. The aim of this mission will be to review the state of conservation of the property and to develop an emergency rehabilitation measures plan, which would include benchmarks for removing the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger. A report of the mission should be prepared in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004;
- Encourages the donor agencies such as the German Technical Co-operation (GTZ) and the European Union, already assisting the State Party in the management and development of Comoé, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to continue their support, and further encourages other donors to mobilize their resources in support of Côte d'Ivoire World Heritage properties.
Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest (Kenya)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.4 The World Heritage Committee, 3
- Noting the results of the report provided by the UNESCO and IUCN mission to the property and the existing number of positive actions that have been carried out by the State Party to improve the management of the property and the protection of the World Heritage value of the property;
- Commends the State Party for positive actions undertaken so far for the conservation of the property, particularly in relation to the control of illegal logging, charcoal kilns and marijuana fields;
- Urges the State Party to clarify jurisdiction arrangements over the plantation zone between the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the Forest Department and confirm that this zone will be managed either by the Forest Department or in close co-operation with it;
- Also Urges the State Party to finalize the Mount Kenya National Park Management Plan;
- Further Urges the State Party to redouble its efforts to ensure the integrity and value of the property. These actions should include:
- the importance of leaving key migration corridors to prevent genetic isolation of the Mount Kenya elephant stock,
- undertaking further surveillance and enforcement to eradicate illegal activities around the property for the long-term conservation,
- undertaking further work on the plan and a new round of community consultations in order to produce a management plan that will effectively guide the long-term conservation of the property;
- Acknowledges the financial support provided to the property by the Mount Kenya donor/partner forum chaired by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Foundation Community Management of Protected Areas Conservation (COMPACT) initiative, United Nations Foundation (UNF), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and further acknowledges the contribution of the Italian Government under the Italian Funds- in- Trust agreement with UNESCO;
- Requests the State Party to submit a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004, addressing the recommendations from the UNESCO/IUCN mission in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004;
- Encourages the State Party to undertake further work for the planning of a new round of community consultations in order to produce a management plan that will effectively guide the long- term conservation of the property.
W National Park of Niger (Niger)
Documents: WHC-03/27.COM/7B and 7B.Corr 27 COM 7B.5 The World Heritage Committee,
- Notes with concern the proposed construction of the Dyondyonga electricity dam on the Mekrou River, on the border between the Republics of Niger and Benin, within the W National Park World Heritage property in Niger and the proposed World Heritage property in Benin, currently deferred by the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee (April 2002);
- Notes that the proposed construction of a dam, as well as the exploitation of a phosphate mine are a serious potential threat to the integrity of the property;
- Recognises the importance of finding solutions to the urgent need for electricity in Niger and Benin but urges the States Parties and funding agencies concerned to seek alternative solutions to that currently proposed;
- Encourages the States Parties of Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso to cooperate with IUCN, Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine (UEMOA), Ramsar, the regional programme Ecosystème protégés en Afrique Sahélienne (ECOPAS) and the World Heritage Centre in order to seek the most appropriate solution, and to seek assistance from the World Heritage Fund for the co-ordination of meetings and studies;
- Requests the authorities of Benin and Niger to provide to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 and before any construction takes place, a detailed report on the proposed construction of a dam on the Mekrou River and the exploitation of the phosphate mine as well as an independent evaluation study of the environmental and social impact according to international standards in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004;
- Defers the decision on the inscription of the W National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger until the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2004, pending an assessment of the responses of the two most concerned States Parties and the outcome of any missions or meetings held with the States Parties.
Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (South Africa)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.6 The World Heritage Committee, 4
- Taking note of the urgent need to re-establish co-operation and confidence among the stakeholders for the purpose of effective conservation and management of St. Lucia Wetland National Park;
- Expresses strong concern regarding the potential impacts that the reported developments and the lack of a comprehensive environmental assessment plan might have on the property;
- Encourages the promotion of the development of new skills such as tourism among local communities for a better management of the property;
- Requests the State Party to provide a report on these issues to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.
Banc d'Arguin National Park (Mauritania)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.7 The World Heritage Committee,
- Notes that the road construction from Nouakchott to Nouadhibou has begun;
- Urges the State Party to organize a meeting to define the real impact of this road on the Park and to ensure that the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study complies with internationally recognized standards, in collaboration with interested donors;
- Notes that oil exploration in the vicinity of the Park is being carried out, with indications that large reserves in the area may be exploited in the near future, causing a potentially serious threat to the marine life of the Park;
- Requests that the State Party provide a copy of the German Technical Co-operation (GTZ) study and the oil/gas exploration EIA to IUCN and to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004;
- Encourages the State Party to submit an international assistance request to train the governmental specialists on the analysis of EIA documents regarding oil/gas explorations.
Lorentz National Park (Indonesia)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.8 The World Heritage Committee, 5
- Expresses its thanks for the State Party's prompt invitation of an IUCN/World Heritage Centre mission to the property in response to the Committee decision 26 COM 21(b) 12;
- Notes that the World Heritage Centre and IUCN are consulting with concerned authorities in Indonesia to establish the Terms of Reference and determine suitable dates for the mission;
- Requests the World Heritage Centre and IUCN to co-operate with the State Party to organize the mission as soon as possible in 2003 and submit a detailed report in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.
Royal Chitwan National Park (Nepal)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.9 The World Heritage Committee, 6
- Expresses its serious concerns over the failure to carry out the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the lack of consultations with the World Heritage Centre or IUCN in the design and implementation of the Kasra Bridge Project and the link road from Durbhagat to Bankatta, despite the protests of the national authority responsible for the property, namely the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation;
- Requests that the Director of the World Heritage Centre write to the highest officials of the concerned bi- and multilateral funding agencies, namely the Japanese Debt Relief Fund, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank as well as to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Development Co-operation in the State Party, transmitting the Committee's displeasure on this matter and urging that the three donor agencies;
- UrgeRequests the State Party and the three donor agencies to provide information to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on why EIAs were not undertaken for the two projects and how decisions to finance projects without EIAs were made in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004;
- Invites the State Party to provide a detailed work plan to implement recommendations outlined in the IUCN monitoring mission report and to regularly report progress on the implementation of those measures to the Committee;
- Requests the World Heritage Centre to co- operate with the the State Party in mobilizing international assistance, from the World Heritage Fund as well as other partners and donors, to assist in the conservation of the property;
- Recommends that the State Party contact the IUCN Species Survival Commission (Invasive Species Specialist Group) to explore best solutions for the control of invasive species.
Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.10 The World Heritage Committee, 7
- Commends the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) for establishing the Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Programme (TRPAP) that will address various aspects of the Park and tourism management and provide benefits to local communities;
- Invites the State Party to continue the implementation of priority management needs identified under the Sagarmatha National Park Management Strategy Framework developed in 2000 while the UNDP/SNV/DFID Project is being implemented;
- Commends the State Party for halting the Syangboche airstrip project and requests that the State Party:
- provide a letter confirming this decision and ensure that the project will not proceed in the future, ; and
- request the Nepal Civil Aviation Authority under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation (MOCTCA) to remove the excavator and other construction materials from the property and provide adequate compensation to the Park authorities to enable the full rehabilitation of the area;
- Requests the State Party to enhance co- operation with local stakeholders in the management of the property.
Tubbataha Reef Marine Park (Philippines)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.11 The World Heritage Committee, 8
- Commends the State Party for actions taken to stop illegal fishing in the property while noting the need to ensure the full enforcement of the law in accordance with the World Heritage and National Park status of the property;
- Requests the State Party to submit a report to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2004, on the illegal fishing activities in the Sulu Sea and to prepare an analysis of its impact on the conservation of World Heritage in that ecosystem in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004;
- Encourages IUCN and the World Heritage Centre to co- operate with appropriate international, national and local partners to address questions relevant to illegal fishing in marine ecosystems and their implications for World Heritage conservation and to submit findings and recommendations for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004.
East Rennell (Solomon Islands)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.12 The World Heritage Committee,
- Requests IUCN and the World Heritage Centre to gather and assess information on the state of conservation of East Rennell (Solomon Islands) and, if necessary, organize a joint UNESCO- IUCN mission to the property, utilizing expertise from the region to ensure that it is cost-effective;
- Requests IUCN and the World Heritage Centre to determine the state of preparation of the Resource Management Plan for the property, and the draft national World Heritage Protection Bill, as requested by the Committee at the time of inscription of the property on the World Heritage List in 1998;
- Requests IUCN and the World Heritage Centre to present a state of conservation report for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004.
Ha Long Bay (Viet Nam)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.13 The World Heritage Committee, 9
- Commends the State Party for continuing various aspects of the management of Ha Long Bay, particularly those pertaining to visitor management in caves and to the World Heritage property;
- Notes with appreciation the State Party's provision of information on the work plan for the environmental management of Ha Long Bay World Heritage property by letter dated 8 April 2003;
- Requests IUCN and the World Heritage Centre to review the information provided and co-operate with the State Party to find ways and means of expediting the implementation of the Government of Vietnam/Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Environmental Management Plan;
- Urges the State Party to provide a report describing:
- trends in the numbers of people living inside the World Heritage area in boats,
- extent of prawn culture cultivation in and around Ha Long Bay World Heritage area,
- potential impacts of (a) and (b) on the integrity of the World Heritage property to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.
Belovezhskaya Pushcha /Bialowieza Forest (Belarus and Poland)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.14 The World Heritage Committee,
- Notes the information provided by both States Parties;
- Encourages UNESCO and IUCN to undertake a monitoring mission to visit the property in 2003 in co-operation with the States Parties to review the state of conservation of the property and possibilities for transboundary management co-operation and to meet with all relevant stakeholders in both Belarus and Poland;
- Requests a report on the mission to be provided in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.
Pirin National Park (Bulgaria)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.15 The World Heritage Committee,
- Recalls its decision to defer the inscription of Pirin National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger until its 27th session (26 COM 21 (b) 2), with decision on this to be based on an assessment of the State Party's response to the UNESCO / IUCN mission report;
- Regrets that the Bulgarian authorities did not provide the report requested by 1 February 2003 until 29 May 2003;
- Welcomes the State Party's report and notes progress made in preparing the management plan for Pirin National Park, with support provided by the Swiss Government;
- Urges the State Party to adopt the final management plan by the end of 2003, as noted in the report, so that it constitutes a legal document, and to provide a copy in English to the World Heritage Centre and IUCN along with a plan for implementation, including the allocation of sufficient resources, by 1 February 2004. Any development within the World Heritage property should comply with this management plan;
- Requests the World Heritage Centre and IUCN to schedule a meeting in Bulgaria to review the situation with the authorities concerned;
- Requests the State Party to provide to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004, in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004, a precise map of the boundary of the World Heritage properties as inscribed in 1983, including exact details of the existing and proposed Ski Development Zone, as well as a detailed report on:
- on-going efforts to develop effective management mechanisms,
- the restoration of the forest ecosystem of disturbed areas,
- the creation of a Scientific Advisory Body,
- any developments of the proposed Ski Development Zone,
Nahanni National Park (Canada)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.16 The World Heritage Committee, 10
- Acknowledges progress made with the development of a new management plan for the property and the proposed expansion of the property as a long-term process, including consultations with the Deh Cho First Nations;
- Requests the State Party to keep the World Heritage Centre informed on the development of the new management plan and environmental impact assessment of the proposed mine at Prairie Creek.
Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.17 The World Heritage Committee, 11
- Notes the response from the State Party, as requested by the 26th session of the Committee (26 COM 21 (b) 4);
- Requests the State Party to provide the World Heritage Centre with an update on the situation related to the proposal to build a winter road following the Federal Court of Canada's decision.
Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) (Italy)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.18 The World Heritage Committee, 12
- Notes the report provided by the State Party and the positive development of the Constitutional Court ruling related to the adoption, legitimacy and implementation of the Landscape Territorial Plan;
- Welcomes the State Party's intention to close the pumice quarries;
- Expresses concern about the status of the requests for opening of a new pumice stone quarry and the extension of four existing quarries within the World Heritage property;
- Requests the State Party to keep the World Heritage Centre and IUCN informed about the developments related to this issue and to provide a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.
Lake Baikal (Russian Federation)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.19 The World Heritage Committee,
- Recalls the recommendation of the report of the monitoring mission in 2001 to include the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger,
- Regrets that the Russian authorities did not provide the report requested by 1 February 2003 (26 COM 21 (b) 19) until 20 May 2003;
- Further regrets that the high-level meeting called for by the Committee (26 COM 21(b) 19) did not take place, and reiterates its request to the State Party to convene this meeting in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and IUCN and calls on it to do so as soon as possible;
- Urges the State Party to ensure that the proposed transportation route for oil and gas avoids the World Heritage property; and to ensure that no route is selected through the watershed of Lake Baikal without first undertaking a comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) to guarantee the highest standards of design and operation;
- Requests the State Party to provide a report to the World Heritage Centre on the outcomes of any EIA and related decisions on the proposed oil and gas transportation route by 1 February 2004 in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004;
- Requests IUCN to make further recommendations to the 28th session of the Committee in 2004, including whether the property meets the conditions for inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Urges the State Party to increase efforts to protect the integrity of this unique property and mitigate the key threats outlined by the IUCN / UNESCO mission report (2001), including by guaranteeing sufficient financial resources over a long term period;
- Encourages the World Heritage Centre, IUCN, non- governmental organizations and international donors to seek appropriate ways to support the efforts of the Russian authorities in protecting and conserving Lake Baikal;
- Decides to defer the decision on the inclusion of Lake Baikal on the List of World Heritage in Danger until the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2004.
Volcanoes of Kamchatka (Russian Federation)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.20 The World Heritage Committee,
- Welcomes the State Party's co-operation with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/Global Environment Facility (GEF) in an effort to conserve and protect the Volcanoes of Kamchatka World Heritage property;
- Commends the State Party for beginning to implement Phase I of the project;
- Regrets that the Russian authorities did not provide the report requested by 1 February 2003 (26 COM 21 (b) 20) until 20 May 2003;
- Welcomes the invitation by the State Party for an IUCN and UNESCO mission to visit the property in spring 2004, to provide a report in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.
Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast (United Kingdom)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.21 The World Heritage Committee, 13
- Notes the results of the UNESCO/IUCN mission to Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast (United Kingdom);
- Acknowledges the additional comments by the authorities on the mission report;
- Commends the State Party for preparing "The Causeway Coast Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) management plan" as well as for the proposal to develop the World Heritage Property Management Plan by February 2004;
- Encourages the State Party to work towards a consistent plan in co-operation with all relevant stakeholders;
- Requests the submission to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2005 of the management plan for the property;
- Encourages Moyle District Council to ensure that the new visitor centre is in keeping with the needs of the property;, is not intrusive in the landscape and is on the same scale as the previous visitor centre.
- Requests the authorities to keep the World Heritage Centre and IUCN informed on any further development.
Henderson Island (United Kingdom)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.22 The World Heritage Committee, 14
- Recalls that the State Party was to implement, as a matter of urgency, the 1995 Management Plan for this property, with provision for its on-going improvement (based on input received and lessons learnt);
- Requests the State Party to provide a copy of the management plan to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.
Iguaçu National Park (Brazil)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.23 The World Heritage Committee,
- Recalls its request for a UNESCO/IUCN joint mission to prepare a status report on the property in time for its 27th session in 2003 (25 COM VIII.5);
- Regrets that the Brazilian authorities did not invite the mission prior to its 27th session;
- Encourages the State Party of Brazil to co- operate with the State Party of Argentina towards the joint management of the two World Heritage properties;
- Welcomes the invitation by the State Party for a UNESCO/IUCN joint mission in time to provide a report taking into account all issues in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.
Talamanca Range - La Amistad Reserves/La Amistad National Park (Costa Rica and Panama)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.24 The World Heritage Committee, 15
- Requests the State Party of Panama to report to the World Heritage Centre and IUCN by 1 February 2004 on actions taken to deal with illegal logging and a proposed road construction in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.
Galápagos Islands (Ecuador)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.25 The World Heritage Committee, 16
- Notes that over the past few years, the State Party, through its Galápagos National Park Service, and the Charles Darwin Foundation have undertaken new and expanded responsibilities in the areas of marine conservation and the control of introduced species;
- Welcomes the efforts by the State Party to support the ongoing strengthening of the Special Law for Galáapagos;
- Commends the authorities for pursuing programme development in areas critical to the conservation of this property, including the establishment of a Galápagos quarantine system;
- Commends the State Party for having passed several regulations in 2002, including the regulation on quarantine and on introduced species;
- Encourages the State Party to pass the final regulations under the Special Law for Galápagos;
- Urges the State Party to maintain all efforts related to the control of illegal fishing in the Galápagos Marine Reserve.
Sian Ka'an (Mexico)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.26 The World Heritage Committee, 17
- Noting that the State Party has removed the moratorium on construction within the property, and that this action is in accordance with the newly adopted management plan for the property, strictly limiting the total number of hotel rooms to be built in the reserve;
- Invites the State Party to ensure strict adherence to the management plan and to carry out systematic environmental monitoring to detect and, if necessary, remedy any possible negative effects on the ecosystem of the property from the development;
- Requests the State Party to provide a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.
MIXED HERITAGE
Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) (Mali)
Document: WHC-03/27.COM/7B 27 COM 7B.27 The World Heritage Committee, 18
- Noting the actions undertaken so far by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to improve and assist Bandiagara;
- Considering the importance to undertake all necessary measures for preventive action to protect a