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World Heritage

27 COM

Distribution limited

WHC-03/27.COM/24
Paris, 10 December 2003
Original: English/French




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









Table of Contents

1 Opening session

2 Adoption of the agenda and the timetable

3 Election of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons and Rapporteur

4 Report of the Rapporteur on the 6th extraordinary session of the World Heritage Committee

5 Report of the Secretariat

6 Periodic Reporting:
6A State of the World Heritage in Asia and the Pacific, 2003
6B Follow-up to Periodic Reporting in Arab States and Africa
7 State of conservation of:
7A Properties inscribed on List of World Heritage in Danger
7B Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List
8 Establishment of the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger:
8A Tentative Lists
8B Nominations of cultural and natural properties to the List of World Heritage in Danger
8C Nominations of properties to the World Heritage List
9 Implementation of the World Heritage Global Training Strategy

10 Revision of the Operational Guidelines

11 Examination of the World Heritage Fund and approval of the World Heritage Fund budget for 2004-2005

12 International Assistance

13 Implementation of the Global Strategy

14 Evaluation of the Cairns Decision

15 Ways and means to reinforce the implementation of the World Heritage Convention

16 Progress report on the revision of UNESCO's Medium-Term Plan (31C/4, 2002-2007) and the preparation of the Draft UNESCO Programme and Budget (32C/5, 2004-2005)

17 The relationship between the World Heritage Committee and UNESCO

18 Preparations for the 14th General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention
18A New voting mechanism and revision to the procedures for the election of the members of the World Heritage Committee
18B Report of the World Heritage Committee to be presented to the 32nd General Conference of UNESCO (September-October 2003)

19 Performance Indicators to assess the implementation of the 2002 World Heritage Strategic Objectives (Credibility, Conservation, Capacity-Building and Communication)

20 Tools for the implementation of the 2002 World Heritage Strategic Objectives:
20A Principles for World Heritage
20B World Heritage Programmes
20C World Heritage Partnerships Initiative: performance indicators and progress report
21 Provisional agenda of the 28th session of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee (April 2004) 1

22 Provisional agenda of the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee (June-July 2004)

23 Other business

24 Adoption of Decisions

25 Closure of the session

  Notes

ANNEXES

  1. List of Participants
  2. Provisional Agenda for the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee (Suzhou, China)

Index of Properties








1         OPENING SESSION
          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,

  1. In conformity with Rule 8 (Observers) of the Rules of Procedure of the Committee,

  2. 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

  3. 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,

  1. Adopts the agenda as proposed in document WHC-03/27.COM/2 Prov.2

  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);

  3. 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;

  4. 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);

  5. 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,

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. Decides to elect, on an exceptional basis, a Bureau with the following composition:

    1. 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;

    2. 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;

    3. 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;

    4. 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;

  4. 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,

  1. Notes with appreciation the Report of the Rapporteur on the 6th extraordinary session of the World Heritage Committee in 2003;

  2. 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);

  3. 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);.

  4. 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,

  1. Taking note of the Report of the Secretariat as presented in document WHC-03/27.COM/5;

  2. Recalling the need for the Committee to be kept informed on the implementation of its decisions;

  3. 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,

  1. Having taken note of the information concerning the threats to the archaeological property of Tell Rumeida, in the Palestinian Territories;

  2. 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;

  3. 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,

  1. 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";

  2. 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;

  3. 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);

  4. 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;

  5. 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);

  6. 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,

  1. 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);

  2. 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 HERITAGE

          Manovo-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,

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. Requests the World Heritage Centre and the State Party to adapt the Emergency Rehabilitation plan to the changed situation in the field;

  5. 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;

  6. 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,

  1. Expresses its serious concerns about the continuing threats of poaching in all properties and encroachments and cattle farming in Virunga;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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;

  6. 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;

  7. 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;

  8. 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;

  9. 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,

  1. Commends the State Party on actions undertaken during the past year to improve the conservation of the Simien National Park World Heritage property;

  2. Recommends that the State Party continue implementing the positive measures mentioned in its report until significant on-the-ground conservation improvements are evident;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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,

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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,

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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,

  1. Congratulates the State Party and associated partners for their efforts to control Salvinia molesta in a cost effective manner;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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,

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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;

  6. 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,

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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;

  6. 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;

  7. 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;

  8. 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,

  1. 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);

  2. 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;

  3. 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,

  1. Notes that the management plan was submitted by the State Party on 25 June 2003;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. Decides to remove Srebarna Nature Reserve from the List of World Heritage in Danger;

  5. 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,

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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,

  1. Notes the detailed report by the State Party provided on 17 April 2003;

  2. 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;

  3. Recommends that the State Party continue its efforts in ensuring that the Mclaren Mine tailings are not contaminating the property;

  4. 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;

  5. 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;

  6. Decides to remove the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;

  7. 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,

  1. Expresses satisfaction with the progress made by the IUCN/UNESCO/United Nations Foundation (UNF) Project "Enhancing Our Heritage" (EOH);

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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;

  6. 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,

  1. 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);

  2. Commends the State Party for its efforts to continue to improve management of the property;

  3. 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;

  4. 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,

  1. Thanking the Government of Japan for their financial contribution to the restoration of King Behanzin's Palace,

  2. 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;

  3. 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,

  1. 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;

  2. Expresses its appreciation to the Italian Government for its support towards the implementation of the World Heritage Convention in Africa;

  3. Recalling the ICOMOS evaluation of the nomination dossier in 1987, recommending the inclusion of the Timbuktu Old Town in the World Heritage List;

  4. 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;

  5. 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,

  1. Having noted the information provided by the World Heritage Centre following the mission to the property;

  2. 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:

    1. 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,

    2. 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,

    3. 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,

    4. The repairing of the roofing of the storages, which are today in a critical state of conservation, and where important objects are kept,

    5. Urgent preventive conservation measures for mosaics and other exposed structures, including a more effective visitor control,

    6. 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,

    7. The preparation, in the above framework, of a management plan for the property, also in consultation with the World Heritage Centre;

  3. Expresses its appreciation to the State Party for the elaboration of new bylaws concerning the application of the 1998 Antiquity Law;

  4. 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;

  5. 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,

  1. Having taken note of the information provided by the World Heritage Centre on the results of the mission to the property;

  2. Commends the State Party for the efforts which are made in order to complete the programme for the protection of the area;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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;

  6. 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;

  7. 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;

  8. 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,

  1. Commends the Oman authorities for the progress achieved in the preparation of the management plan and for having re-appointed a Chief Site Conservator;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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;

  6. 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;

  7. 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,

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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;

  6. 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,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation report of the Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam;

  2. Notes with concern the instability of the leaning Minaret, continued illicit on-site excavation and lack of management mechanism; 

  3. Expresses appreciation to the Governments of Greece, Italy and Switzerland for their generous contributions for the protection of the property;

  4. 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;

  5. 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;

  6. 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,

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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,

  1. Having noted the information provided by the World Heritage Centre further to its mission to the property;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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;

  6. 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;

  7. 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;

  8. 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;

  9. 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;

  10. 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,

  1. Expresses appreciation to the State Party for submitting the revised work plan and budget breakdown for the Shalamar Gardens International Assistance request;

  2. Requests the Advisory Bodies and the World Heritage Centre to assist the authorities in implementing this International Assistance request;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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;

  6. 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;

  7. 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;

  8. Requests the UNESCO Secretariat to continue efforts to mobilize international support to implement the corrective measures;

  9. 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;

  10. 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,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation of the property;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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,

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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,

  1. Acknowledges the results of the international UNESCO/ICOMOS mission to the property providing updated information;

  2. 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;

  3. Expresses its concern about the risks that excessive and uncontrolled urbanisation have on the exceptional universal value of the property;

  4. 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;

  5. 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)

  6. 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;

  7. 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,

  1. Taking note of the measures and the studies undertaken by the State Party to protect the property;

  2. Commending the State Party for the efforts made to monitor the water level;

  3. Urges the State Party to adopt the draft legislation foreseen;

  4. Strongly recommends that the State Party defines the limits of the property in order to avoid further encroachment;

  5. 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;

  6. 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;

  7. 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,

  1. 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


Dja Faunal Reserve (Cameroon)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.1               The World Heritage Committee, 2

  1. 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);

  2. Noting that the State Party has renewed efforts to improve the management of Dja Faunal Reserve by drafting a management plan;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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,

  1. 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;

  2. Takes note of the recent report submitted by the State Party to the World Heritage Centre informing of the present situation at the property;

  3. Takes note that the property is no longer occupied by rebel forces;

  4. Expresses its concern with regard to the eventual impact on the integrity of the property caused by civil unrest;

  5. 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;

  6. 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;

  7. 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,

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. Expresses its serious concern over

    1. the potential impacts of the current civil unrest on the integrity of the property,

    2. the decrease of large mammal populations due to increased and uncontrolled poaching,

    3. the lack of effective management mechanisms;

  4. Decides to inscribe the Comoé National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger;

  5. 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;

  6. 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

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. Also Urges the State Party to finalize the Mount Kenya National Park Management Plan;

  5. Further Urges the State Party to redouble its efforts to ensure the integrity and value of the property. These actions should include:

    1. the importance of leaving key migration corridors to prevent genetic isolation of the Mount Kenya elephant stock,

    2. undertaking further surveillance and enforcement to eradicate illegal activities around the property for the long-term conservation,

    3. 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;

  6. 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;

  7. 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;

  8. 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,

  1. 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);

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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;

  6. 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

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. Encourages the promotion of the development of new skills such as tourism among local communities for a better management of the property;

  4. 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,

  1. Notes that the road construction from Nouakchott to Nouadhibou has begun;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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


  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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;

  6. 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

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. 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

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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,

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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;

  4. Urges the State Party to provide a report describing:

    1. trends in the numbers of people living inside the World Heritage area in boats,

    2. extent of prawn culture cultivation in and around Ha Long Bay World Heritage area,

    3. 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,

  1. Notes the information provided by both States Parties;

  2. 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;

  3. 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,

  1. 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;

  2. Regrets that the Bulgarian authorities did not provide the report requested by 1 February 2003 until 29 May 2003;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. Requests the World Heritage Centre and IUCN to schedule a meeting in Bulgaria to review the situation with the authorities concerned;

  6. 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:

    1. on-going efforts to develop effective management mechanisms,

    2. the restoration of the forest ecosystem of disturbed areas,

    3. the creation of a Scientific Advisory Body,

    4. 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

  1. 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;

  2. 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

  1. Notes the response from the State Party, as requested by the 26th session of the Committee (26 COM 21 (b) 4);

  2. 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

  1. 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;

  2. Welcomes the State Party's intention to close the pumice quarries;

  3. 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;

  4. 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,

  1. Recalls the recommendation of the report of the monitoring mission in 2001 to include the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger,

  2. Regrets that the Russian authorities did not provide the report requested by 1 February 2003 (26 COM 21 (b) 19) until 20 May 2003;

  3. 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;

  4. 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;

  5. 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;

  6. 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;

  7. 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;

  8. 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;

  9. 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,

  1. 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;

  2. Commends the State Party for beginning to implement Phase I of the project;

  3. Regrets that the Russian authorities did not provide the report requested by 1 February 2003 (26 COM 21 (b) 20) until 20 May 2003;

  4. 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

  1. Notes the results of the UNESCO/IUCN mission to Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast (United Kingdom);

  2. Acknowledges the additional comments by the authorities on the mission report;

  3. 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;

  4. Encourages the State Party to work towards a consistent plan in co-operation with all relevant stakeholders;

  5. Requests the submission to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2005 of the management plan for the property;

  6. 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.

  7. 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

  1. 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);

  2. 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,

  1. 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);

  2. Regrets that the Brazilian authorities did not invite the mission prior to its 27th session;

  3. 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;

  4. 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

  1. 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

  1. 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;

  2. Welcomes the efforts by the State Party to support the ongoing strengthening of the Special Law for Galáapagos;

  3. Commends the authorities for pursuing programme development in areas critical to the conservation of this property, including the establishment of a Galápagos quarantine system;

  4. Commends the State Party for having passed several regulations in 2002, including the regulation on quarantine and on introduced species;

  5. Encourages the State Party to pass the final regulations under the Special Law for Galápagos;

  6. 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

  1. 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;

  2. 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;

  3. 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

  1. Noting the actions undertaken so far by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to improve and assist Bandiagara;

  2. Considering the importance to undertake all necessary measures for preventive action to protect a property inscribed on the World Heritage List;

  3. Requests the Director-General of UNESCO to bring to the attention of the Director-General of The World Food Programme the severe famine reported in Bandiagara.


Kakadu National Park (Australia)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.28               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Notes the new information provided by the State Party;

  2. Urges the State Party to proceed with the appointment of a non-governmental organization (NGO) representative to the Alligator Rivers Region Technical Committee (ARRTC);

  3. Requests that the State Party provide a report on:

    1. progress on compliance with ISO14001,

    2. the ARRTC's continuing monitoring and review of water management and other environmental issues at Jabiluka and Ranger,

    3. consultation with the Traditional Owners of Kakadu on cultural heritage management and protection.n;

    4. The report should be provided 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.


Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (China)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B and 7B.Corr

27 COM 7B.29               The World Heritage Committee, 19

  1. Takes note of the findings and recommendations of the ICOMOS monitoring mission to the World Heritage property of Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha;

  2. Expresses its appreciation to the Chinese authorities for facilitating the ICOMOS mission and for providing further information regarding the tourism development projects in the buffer zone of the property;

  3. Requests the State Party to:

    1. strengthen the management mechanisms and the effective implementation of existing legal provisions for the protection of the property, including the enhancement of co-operation with local stakeholders in its management and conservation,

    2. provide the World Heritage Centre with a progress report by 1 February 2004;

  4. Requests the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies (ICOMOS and IUCN) to review the information provided by the State Party and co-operate with the authorities to find ways and means to enhance the state of conservation of the property.


Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (Peru)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.30               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Recalling that the Committee, since 1996, has expressed its serious concerns about the management and planning arrangements of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu;

  2. Recalling that reactive monitoring missions were undertaken in 1997, 1999 and 2002 and that the recommendations of these missions were endorsed by the Committee and transmitted to the Government of Peru for consideration and implementation;

  3. Recalling further that in May 2002, as an exceptional measure, the Chairperson of the Committee addressed letters of concern to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Education urging the Government to take the necessary measures for the implementation of the recommendations of the missions and alerting the Ministers that in the absence of these measures, the Committee would be obliged to consider the inscription of Machu Picchu on the List of World Heritage in Danger;

  4. Acknowledging that progress has been made on specific issues such as the preparation and adoption of a Master Plan, the creation of a Management Unit, the management of the Inca Trail and planning for the village of Aguas Calientes;

  5. Noting however, that the information submitted by the Government of Peru does not make a convincing case that the state of conservation and the management of the property have been improved significantly as compared to the situation referred to in the mission reports of 1999 and 2002;

  6. Urges, once again, the Government of Peru to take the necessary measures for the implementation of the recommendations of the missions of 1999 and 2002 and to provide, within ten weeks of receipt of this decision, a report on these measures as well as detailed information on:

    1. the timeline for the revision of the Master Plan,

    2. the Organization and Functions Regulations of the Management Unit,

    3. the evaluation of transport options,

    4. the studies related to the carrying capacity of the Ciudadela ad Camino Inca,

    5. the development of a Public Use Plan,

    6. the implementation of urban planning and control measures for Aguas Calientes,

    7. the implementation of geological studies and the development of a study on the impacts of buses on landslides,

    8. the possibility to develop, in co-operation with UNESCO, a feasibility study to establish a permanent international institution for the protection of the property;

  7. Requests that IUCN and ICOMOS evaluate reports concerning the property, including on activities undertaken with regard to Machu Picchu submitted by the State Party on 3 July 2003, report whether the outstanding universal value of the property has been maintained, assess the threats to the property and what the State Party has undertaken to mitigate those threats, and to submit this report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004;

  8. Decides to examine the state of conservation of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu at its 28th session in 2004.


CULTURAL HERITAGE


Lamu Old Town (Kenya)
Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B and 7B.Corr

27 COM 7B.31               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Commends the government of Kenya for its commitment to address the concerns over the physical developments on the Lamu Island and welcomes Kenya's availability to co-operate with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS for a mission to Lamu;

  2. Requests the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS, in cooperation with the State Party to undertake a mission to ascertain the state of conservation of Lamu;

  3. Further requests the State Party to collaborate with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS in the development of a programme for the rehabilitation of Lamu and to identify needs for assistance from the World Heritage Fund and from other sources for the rehabilitation activities of the property;

  4. Also requests a report following the World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS mission on the state of conservation of Lamu for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004.


Royal Hill of Ambohimanga (Madagascar)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.32               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Noting with concern that several properties in islands of the Indian Ocean have been severely damaged by natural catastrophes;

  2. Congratulates the Malgache authorities for their efforts to protect the property from further damage and for having informed the Secretariat of the state of conservation of the property;

  3. Invites Madagascar to undertake urgent restoration work to preserve the World Heritage value of the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga.


Island of Gorée (Senegal)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.7E

27 COM 7B.33               The World Heritage Committee, 20

  1. Noting with satisfaction the action undertaken by the State Party to protect the property;

  2. Invites the State Party, in accordance with Articles 4 and 5 of the World Heritage Convention, to take the necessary administrative measures for an in situ management of the property and to recruit a manager for the property;

  3. Requests ICOMOS and the World Heritage Centre to organize a mission to the property, in consultation with the national authorities, in order to establish the state of conservation of the property and advise the World Heritage Committee on the opportunity to inscribe it on the List of World Heritage in Danger;

  4. Congratulates the Senegalese authorities for the efforts undertaken to preserve the property's World Heritage value and encourages Senegal to implement awareness-raising initiatives in order to avoid new construction activities at the property.


Robben Island (South Africa)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.34               The World Heritage Committee, 21

  1. Recalling that all possible measures must be taken to protect the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and reaffirming support to the States Parties in their efforts to protect properties;

  2. Commends the State Party for the proactive initiative of undertaking an on-site investigation to assess the state of conservation of the property in February 2003 and for the subsequent adoption of the Conservation Management Plan by the Robben Island Museum Council;

  3. Welcomes the World Heritage Centre's efforts in mobilizing extrabudgetary resources from industries that benefit from World Heritage properties;

  4. Encourages the State Party to continue its efforts towards establishing a plan for the rehabilitation and for the integrated management of the property, which should take into consideration a programme for systematic monitoring;

  5. Requests the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS, ICCROM and IUCN to undertake a mission to Robben Island to ascertain the state of conservation of the property, including the status of the wildlife populations, and to prepare an information document with a proposed rehabilitation programme in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004;

  6. Further suggests that if possible the above-mentioned mission be undertaken before or after the World Parks Congress to be held in Durban, South Africa, in September 2003, and include members of the World Heritage Centre, IUCN and ICOMOS who will be attending the Congress.


Kasbah of Algiers (Algeria)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.35               The World Heritage Committee, 22

  1. Having noted the very worrying state of conservation of the Kasbah, and its difficult socio-economic context;

  2. Commends the Algerian authorities for having designated the Kasbah as a protected zone under the current Law, which constitutes an important step towards an effective protection of the property;

  3. Recognizes the urgent need to strengthen capacity of the responsible technical bodies in conservation and appreciates the support from the Italian Government in this respect,

  4. Invites the State Party to rapidly proceed, in close consultation with the World Heritage Centre, with the completion and implementation of the Luang Prabang conservation plan Plan de sauvegarde et de mise en valeur (PSMV), which will have to include appropriate institutional co-ordination mechanism, as well as construction regulations and detailed technical specifications adapted to the particular architectural context of the Kasbah;

  5. Strongly encourages the State Party to make available as a matter of urgency the necessary financial resources to the responsible bodies for emergency rehabilitation interventions within the Kasbah;

  6. Requests the State Party to submit a report to the World Heritage Centre on the progress in the finalization and implementation of the Urban Conservation Plan 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.


Islamic Cairo (Egypt)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.36               The World Heritage Committee, 23

  1. Commends, with gratitude, the State Party for halting the implementation of the proposed new road through the Southern sector of Islamic Cairo;

  2. Recognizes that this type of recurrent problem should be addressed in a global manner and preventively in the framework of a comprehensive urban conservation plan;

  3. Encourages the State Party to implement, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre, the recommendations of the International Symposium held in Cairo in February 2002, and particularly to:

    1. designate Historic Cairo as a Special Planning District, with buffer zones, in accordance with the prescriptions of the Operational Guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention;

    2. Prepare a comprehensive Urban Plan for the Conservation and Development of the Old City, whereby the conservation of historic buildings would be accompanied by appropriate development regulations to encourage the rehabilitation of the urban fabric so as to ensure its compatibility with the historic character of Islamic Cairo;

  4. Invites the State Party to submit a report to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2004, on progress on these actions for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004.


Memphis and its Necropolis - the Pyramid Fields from Giza Dahshur (Egypt)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.37               The World Heritage Committee, 24

  1. Commends the State Party for its commitment towards the preservation of the Pyramid Fields, and particularly for having prevented the implementation of the proposed tunnel project;

  2. Encourages the State Party to provide any information concerning the development of management plans for the 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.


Byblos (Lebanon)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.38               The World Heritage Committee, 25

  1. Congratulates the State Party, as well as the Ministry of Culture of Quebec, for the considerable efforts made towards the improvement of the property and its better presentation;

  2. Invites the State Party to consider integrating a component for the conservation and interpretation of the archaeological sector of Byblos within the scope of the World Bank Project;

  3. Recommends the Lebanese authorities to discard proposals to further extend the jetty of the port and to postpone the project for a promenade around the archaeological property until sufficient information is available for the General Directorate of Antiquities (DGA) to assess its impact on the ancient remains, including those underwater.


Tyre (Lebanon)
Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.7E

27 COM 7B.39               The World Heritage Committee, 26

  1. Congratulates the State Party, as well as the Japanese Government and the World Bank, for the efforts undertaken for the safeguard of Tyre;

  2. Invites the State Party to strengthen the Urban Master Plan for the city, taking into account the recommendations of the World Heritage Centre and those elaborated under the Franco-Lebanese Centre de Recherches Européennes (CEDRE) Programme for the protection of the underwater heritage;

  3. Requests the State Party to halt the construction work of the Institute for Islamic Research on the south side of the Old City of Tyre and within the archaeological zone, and to take all necessary measures for the protection of the entire property;

  4. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004, a report on the progress being made in the implementation of the above- mentioned recommendations in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Ancient Ksour of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata (Mauritania)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.40               The World Heritage Committee, 27

  1. Congratulates the State Party for the efforts undertaken for the safeguarding of the exceptional values of the ancient cities, through the integration of the Pilot Project "Safeguarding and Development of the Mauritanian World Heritage Cities" into the Project for the Safeguarding and Promotion of the Mauritanian Cultural Heritage (PSVPCM);

  2. Calls upon the international community to support the commitment of the Mauritanian authorities in setting up the necessary reforms to ensure the continuity of the Pilot Project activities;

  3. Encourages the State Party to integrate these actions into the overall reforms being instituted to lead the transformation of the Mauritanian society, and in particular the strategy for poverty alleviation adopted by the Mauritanian Government;

  4. Invites the State Party, following the completion of the organizational audit of the cultural institutions of Mauritania, and in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to define and establish the structure of the competent body specialized in management and conservation of World Heritage properties, including the integration of its representatives into the municipalities of the four ancient cities.


Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou (Morocco)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.41               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having taken note of the report submitted by the State Party in March 2003, concerning the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report dated August 2000;

  2. Expresses its concern regarding the information on the state of abandon of the property, the increase of offences in the old Ksar and its state of degradation, the lack of legal protection, delay in the establishment of a technical and administrative structure responsible for the property as well as in the elaboration of a management plan for its safeguarding and presentation;

  3. Recalls its concern regarding the implementation of projects at the property when the listing procedure is not yet completed, especially in the absence of an appropriate management plan, prepared according to the recognized international scientific standards, as well as a management structure capable of guaranteeing the general technical coordination and control of the various initiatives;

  4. Reiterates once again its request to the Moroccan authorities to adopt, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, the necessary legal and financial measures for the creation of a specialised technical team and the preparation of the management plan of the property, and to this end, encourages the State Party to request emergency assistance from the World Heritage Fund if necessary;

  5. Urges the State Party to finalise the procedure for the national listing of the property and to create by decree an institution, with legal authority, resources and adequate financial means to elaborate a management plan and its technical and administrative implementation at the property, before 31 December 2003,

  6. Decides to reconsider the property's inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger at its 28th session in 2004;

  7. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2004, a progress report on the implementation of the afore-mentioned measures in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur (Bangladesh)
Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B
WHC-03/27.COM/7/INF.7E

27 COM 7B.42               The World Heritage Committee, 28

  1. Having examined the state of conservation of the property, the progress made by the national authorities since the previous session of  The World Heritage Committee, the findings and recommendations of the two UNESCO missions in October 2002 and February 2003;

  2. Expressing its appreciation to the State Party for having submitted the International Assistance requests to the Committee to enhance conservation and management of the property;

  3. Encouraging the State Party, the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to maintain efforts to plan and implement enhanced conservation of the property;

  4. Decides to defer inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger until the 29th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2005, in light of the findings and recommendations of the UNESCO missions and to permit the State Party to undertake corrective measures to reverse the negative work undertaken on site;

  5. Requests the World Heritage Centre, UNESCO Dhaka Office, the Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and the Pacific and the Advisory Bodies to provide technical support to the State Party in the implementation of the corrective measures;

  6. Requests the State Party to provide to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004, a report on the progress made in implementing the corrective measures in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (China)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.43               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Expressing concern regarding the urban development pressure in Beijing, and the renewal of the historic and traditional urban fabric of the historic city;

  2. Requests the State Party to strengthen the legal provision for the protection of the buffer zones of these World Heritage properties;

  3. Encourages the Chinese authorities to continue their efforts to protect the urban historic fabric of Beijing surrounding the World Heritage properties of the Imperial Palace of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace;

  4. Further encourages the Chinese authorities to review and update the management plans for these properties, taking into due consideration the heritage conservation and development needs of the local communities;

  5. Requests UNESCO and the World Heritage Centre to provide technical assistance to the Chinese authorities to review and update the existing management plans for their World Heritage properties, including the case of Nanchizi and other similar conservation and other rehabilitation projects in the historic quarters of Beijing, to ensure long-term comprehensive management;

  6. Requests the State Party to submit a progress report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004, on measures taken to enhance the conservation and presentation of the World Heritage properties and including an assessment of the remaining traditional architecture in the buffer zone in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains (China)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.44               The World Heritage Committee, 29

  1. Having examined the state of conservation of this property;

  2. Commends the State Party for its immediate follow-up action in addressing the disaster prevention mechanisms at all the cultural World Heritage properties in China;

  3. Requests the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to strengthen co-operation with the State Party to mobilize technical assistance for enhancing preventive conservation mechanisms for timber architectural heritage in China;

  4. Requests the State Party to submit a progress report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004, on measures taken to enhance the state of conservation of the property in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of Conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa (China)
Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B and 7B Corr.

27 COM 7B.45               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the findings and recommendations of the UNESCO-ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring missions which were undertaken to the Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace in close consultation with the Chinese authorities in October 2002 and April 2003;

  2. Expresses its appreciation to the Government of China for facilitating the UNESCO-ICOMOS missions;

  3. Further encourages the Chinese authorities to develop an articulated strategic programme for the conservation and rehabilitation of the historic fabric of Old Lhasa based upon an analysis of the heritage value of the historic structures. This analysis should assist the authorities in ranking the buildings according to their importance. The information should be made public. The Lhasa Municipality of the Tibetan Autonomous Region is therefore invited to provide information about all the conservation and renovation work in Lhasa to the World Heritage Committee;

  4. Requests UNESCO and ICOMOS to assist the Chinese authorities in assessing and updating the comprehensive conservation plan to make the most appropriate use of the Shöl Area, which forms part of the administrative section of the Potala Palace so as to maintain the traditional urban tissue of the area while changing the use of the traditional buildings;

  5. Underscores the importance of introducing better design that is compatible and harmonious, with the historic environment of the Lhasa City;

  6. Encourages the State Party to elaborate design guidelines for the built heritage environment, including urban design elements, so as to increase the capacity of local urban planners, architects, and designers to follow World Heritage conservation guidelines;

  7. Requests the State Party to continue making efforts to mitigate the negative impact on the World Heritage value of this property caused by development pressures, and in particular recommends the following to this end:

    1. Institutional requirements: The conservation challenges and potentials in Lhasa would benefit from a management and development agency to co-ordinate activities in Old Lhasa, which could be responsible for the management of Old Lhasa and the World Heritage properties. It is recommended that such an agency be established to raise and administer funds from national and international donors.

    2. Conservation, planning and urban development: Taking into consideration the on-going processes of change and urban development, it is recommended that a review of the urban development plan is undertaken to ensure integrated territorial urban conservation challenges of Lhasa. The current conservation plan of 1995-2015 should be made available to the public to increase their appreciation of the plan. A mechanism to periodically review the relevance of the conservation plan should be built in the planning process itself.

    3. Protection: In view of the rapid change in the character of Old Lhasa, all remaining historic traditional buildings in Lhasa should be protected at the level of the Autonomous Region or at the national level.

    4. Conservation and rehabilitation of historic traditional buildings: Demolition should be stopped, particularly in the Shöl area. If in exceptional circumstances, demolition is necessary, any necessary replacement buildings should be in keeping with the historic character of the area. The State Party is requested to inform the World Heritage Committee of its policy on the conservation of the historic urban fabric of Lhasa.

    5. Conservation awareness: It is recommended that the management authorities set up a programme to encourage community participation and increase awareness of heritage conservation needs amongst the local residents.

    6. Protective areas and buffer zones: It is recommended that the management authorities evaluate and redefine the current World Heritage protective boundaries and management guidelines pertaining to the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple (including the Barkor Historic Area) and Nobulingka, taking into consideration the heritage value of the surrounding landscape and environment.

    7. Tourism: In view of the potential income generating opportunities from the tourism industry for financing conservation work in Lhasa, the heritage management authorities are encouraged to develop training activities and provide guidance on sustainable tourism planning at the World Heritage properties in Lhasa.

    8. International outreach: An exchange programme between the World Heritage site managers in Lhasa and the managers of World Heritage properties in other countries is encouraged to develop on- property and international co-operation activities. The Chinese authorities may consider the organization of a study tour to successfully managed World Heritage properties focusing on the selected issues identified above;

  8. Expresses its readiness to consider an international assistance request to support national and local efforts to address the above recommendations;

  9. Requests the State Party to take appropriate action to follow up on the findings and recommendations of the UNESCO-ICOMOS reactive monitoring missions in a concerted manner and to submit a progress report to the World Heritage by 1 February 2004, on the measures taken and long-term development strategy proposed for the property in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya (India)
Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B and 7B Corr.

27 COM 7B.46               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation of the property for the first time since its inscription on the World Heritage List in 2002;

  2. Recalling the concern at the time of inscription regarding the tourism and pilgrimage pressures facing the property;

  3. While noting that the absence of a functioning comprehensive management plan has persisted in spite of the Committee's recommendation at the time of inscription of the property for the development of such plan (26 COM 23.16), expresses its appreciation to the State Party for commencing the elaboration of such a plan;

  4. Expresses concern over the continuing tensions and occasional conflicts between local stakeholders, in particular the religious groups who wish to use this important religious World Heritage property;

  5. Recognizing the associated heritage significance of the surrounding areas of the Mahabodhi Temple which are intrinsically linked to the enlightenment of Buddha, but which are not within the core nor the buffer zone of the existing World Heritage property;

  6. Invites the State Party to enlarge the World Heritage protected area to ensure that the protective core and buffer zones are meaningful and effective for the conservation of the values of the property;

  7. Requests the State Party to complete the elaboration of a comprehensive management plan which adequately integrates:

    1. Local community and stakeholders' dialogue and co- operation,

    2. Protection, conservation and preservation of the heritage value and assets of this sacred property,

    3. Control of development activities within and surrounding the property related to tourism and pilgrimage activities;

  8. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 the completed comprehensive management plan in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004


Borobudur Temple Compounds (Indonesia)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.47               The World Heritage Committee, 30

  1. Having examined the state of conservation of this property;

  2. Underscores the importance of reinforcing the legal management and development control mechanisms provided under the existing 5-zone management scheme for the property;

  3. Requests the State Party to evaluate and possibly redefine the World Heritage protective boundaries and management guidelines pertaining to Zones 4 and 5 taking into consideration the findings of the recent research which indicate that the mandala form of the main monument is repeated at a larger scale in the surrounding landscape, and thus requires protection in an integrated manner;

  4. Recommends that the State Party consider removing the new, paved parking lot from Zone 1 and restore the area to grass and shrubbery. A small drop-off area for VIPs may be developed in front of the current guardian's house, with parking for VIP vehicles retained in Zone 2 at the foot of the hill on which the main monument is located; 

  5. Recommends further that the State Party strictly minimizes vehicular access to Zone 1, considers removing vehicular parking from Zone 2, and bans major new road developments within Zone 3, although improvement of existing roads may be permitted. As with all development proposals affecting the property, the State Party is invited to submit in advance to the Committee, any proposal for the development of roads;

  6. Requests the State Party, as a first step, to organize and control the informal commercial activities within Zone 2, possibly through a system that involves the construction of bazaar facilities and licensing of stall occupants;

  7. Recommends that, as a second step, a socio- economic study be undertaken to plan for a more viable commercial and marketing strategy of long-term benefit to members of the surrounding community, linked directly to the cultural traditions of the property and its surrounding area. The long-term strategy for commercial development of the property must ensure that the environmental buffer zone around the main monument, and contained within current Zones 3 and 4 retains its agricultural or forested character; 

  8. Expresses concern over the potential negative impact of the construction of major commercial/shopping centres near the property and within any of the protection zones, and recommends that such commercial developments be located within existing market places and commercial districts of the local towns;

  9. Endorses the national policy to improve the interpretation of the World Heritage value of the property to visitors, giving due emphasis to the local cultural history, intangible cultural heritage, meditative cultural practices which contribute to promote understanding of the spiritual and artistic values for which the property was recognized as World Heritage;

  10. Recommends that visitor management guidelines pertaining to Zone 1 be elaborated to enhance the visitor's educational and authentic cultural experience of the property through regulations which encourage respect for the property;

  11. Notes with concern the lack of management co- ordination between the authorities responsible for managing the different zones of the property;

  12. Requests the State Party to establish an appropriate mechanism for the full co-ordination of the implementation of management policies and practices within the 5 zones, to better safeguard the entire property and simultaneously promote sustainable development;

  13. Requests that the findings and recommendations of the UNESCO-ICOMOS mission be examined in depth during the Experts Meeting on the Safeguarding of Borobudur, scheduled to take place in July 2003;

  14. Requests the State Party to submit a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on the short-term corrective measures taken and long-term development strategy proposed for the property in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Meidan Emam, Esfahan (Iran)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.48               The World Heritage Committee, 31

  1. Expresses its appreciation to the State Party for favourably considering the recommendations of the joint international urban planning expert and ICOMOS mission of July 2002;

  2. Notes with appreciation that a compromise solution is being elaborated between the national and local authorities to reduce the height of the commercial complex to minimize the negative impact of this high rise building to the World Heritage property; 

  3. Requests the authorities of Iran to continue their efforts to ensure the conservation of the authentic setting and integrity of the historic city of Esfahan surrounding the Meidan Emam World Heritage property; 

  4. Requests the Secretariat to continue to co-operate closely with the Iranian authorities in the organization of a stakeholders' meeting in Esfahan, supported by the Government of France;

  5. Decides to examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (Japan)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.49               The World Heritage Committee, 32

  1. Having examined the state of conservation of the property for the first time since its inscription on the World Heritage List in 1998;

  2. Expressing its appreciation to the State Party for examining the potential negative and irreversible impact of the construction of the Keinawa Motorway could have upon the World Heritage value of the property;

  3. Encourages the State Party to continue making efforts to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the property;

  4. Suggests that the concerned authorities continue their efforts in informing the local communities on the decision making process;

  5. Requests the State Party to provide to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2004, a report on the decision- making process and the final decision concerning the construction of the motorway in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Town of Luang Prabang (Lao People's Democratic Republic)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.50               The World Heritage Committee,33

  1. Recalling Decision 26 COM 21 (b) 54 expressing concern over the growing incidents of violation of the conservation plan of Luang Prabang (PSMV), including public works being carried out by the Urban Development Administrative Authority (UDAA) under the Asian Development Bank for Secondary Cities, undermining the World Heritage value of the Town of Luang Prabang,

  2. Reiterating the fragility of these values based on the relationship between the natural and built environment, the traditional urban morphology and the fusion of traditional Lao and French architecture,

  3. Noting with appreciation the positive results in the implementation of the 6-point corrective measures to safeguard the property and the contribution to this effort by the French Development Agency, European Commission and the Région Centre through the Chinon-Luang Prabang-UNESCO co-operation programme,

  4. Expressing concern over continued incidents of illegal construction and violation of the conservation plan (PSMV) and increasing vehicular traffic in the core protected area,

  5. Requests the State Party to:

    1. submit a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on further progress in the implementation of the corrective measures in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004,

    2. make all efforts to raise public awareness and respect for the conservation plan (PSMV),

    3. take the necessary measures to reduce vehicular traffic and noise pollution impacting on the core area of the World Heritage property.


Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements within the Champasak Cultural Landscape (Lao People's Democratic Republic)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.51               The World Heritage Committee, 34

  1. Having examined the state of conservation of the property for the first time since its inscription on the World Heritage List in 2001;

  2. Takes notes,, with appreciation, of the continued support provided by the Governments of Japan and Italy to assist the national authorities in the implementation of the activities approved in the Site Management Plan;

  3. Emphasizes the importance of adherence to the government-approved management plan for the property, which was included within the nomination file originally submitted to  The World Heritage Committee, in order to conserve the heritage values of all four protected zones through adequate inter-department co-ordination and on- property management;

  4. Requests the State Party to:

    1. ensure that any new road or other infrastructure construction within Zones 1 or 3 of the property is duly approved with respect to the applicable World Heritage zoning provisions contained in the approved management plan, and in particular, urges the State Party to submit a detailed survey plan for the new north-south road to mitigate any negative impact this road could have on Zones 1, 2, 3, or 4, detailing the protective measures being undertaken or planned,

    2. relocate the newly-constructed parking lot and visitor centre which is aligned along the property's principal cosmological axis, to an area which is outside Zones 2, 3 or 4,

    3. identify and engage sufficient professional staff to adequately manage the property,

    4. reactivate the work of the Inter-Departmental Co-ordinating Committee for the Safeguarding of Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements with the Champasak Cultural Landscape through the activation of an appropriate authority,

    5. monitor, during the upcoming monsoon season, the effectiveness of the recently completed hydrological engineering works designed to protect one of the main temples of Vat Phou from water erosion, which has been undertaken with generous support from the Government of Japan;

  5. Further requests the State Party to submit a report on the state of conservation of the property, 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.


Kathmandu Valley (Nepal)
Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.7C
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.7E

27 COM 7B.52               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Expresses its appreciation to the State Party for receiving the Second High Level Mission;

  2. Notes with grave concern that the traditional elements of heritage of six of the seven Monument Zones had been partially or significantly lost since the time of inscription, resulting in a general loss of authenticity and integrity of the property as a whole;

  3. Notes furthermore with concern that although the responsibleconcerned authorities have made efforts with some positive results, the threat of uncontrolled development has persisted, which continuously decreases the urban landscape and architectural fabric of the property;

  4. Decides to inscribe the Kathmandu Valley property on the List of World Heritage in Danger, and simultaneously recommends that the State Party legally redefine the core and support zones of all Monument Zones, accompanied with management mechanisms to adequately conserve the remaining World Heritage value of the property in the long-term. Corrective measures should continue to address the illegal activities in the future core and support zones;

  5. Requests the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in consultation with the State Party to organize a mission to Kathmandu Valley to assess the remaining World Heritage value of the property, the state of conservation of the monumental ensembles and the vernacular fabric within the property, and for the report of this mission to be submitted by 1 February 2004 for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004;

  6. Decides to consider whether or not to delete the property from the World Heritage List at its 28th session in 2004, upon examining the report from the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies mission and the assessment of the loss of World Heritage value at Kathmandu Valley.


Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha (Nepal)
Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B and 7B.Corr

27COM 7B.53               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Recalling decision 26 COM 21(b) 62 taken by the Committee at its 26th session in 2002;

  2. Notes with regret that the report on the state of conservation requested by the Committee from the State Party was not received in time for the examination by the Committee at its 27th session in 2003;

  3. Regrets that the construction of the new Maya Devi Temple has been completed in spite of the grave concerns expressed by the Committee at its 26th session;

  4. Reiterates its request to the State Party to provide information concerning the management mechanisms which ensure the protection of the World Heritage value of the property;

  5. Requests the World Heritage Centre to organize a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS mission to assess the impact of the newly constructed Maya Devi Temple on the World Heritage value of the property as a whole;

  6. Decides to examine the findings of this assessment mission at its 28th session in 2004;

  7. Requests that a report on the state of conservation of the property be submitted by the State Party 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.


Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple(Republic of Korea)
Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B and 7B.Corr

27 COM 7B. 54               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Takes note of the information provided by the State Party and the World Heritage Centre on the state of conservation of the Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple;

  2. Congratulates the State Party on the decision to withdraw the proposal to build a new structure within the vicinity of the World Heritage property of Seokguram Grotto to ensure the conservation of the authenticity and integrity of the heritage area and in particular, the pristine natural setting of the property.


State Historical and Cultural Park "Ancient Merv" (Turkmenistan)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.55               The World Heritage Committee, 35

  1. Expresses its appreciation to the State Party, CRATerre (Centre Régional pour l'architecture en terre) and the World Heritage Centre for their continued co-operation to enhance conservation and management of this large property;

  2. Requests the State Party to strengthen the legal protection and management mechanism to safeguard the extensive property, especially to prevent looting of excavated archaeological areas, particularly necropolises, and to enhance communication among the various international teams working on-site, which ideally should be co-ordinated and controlled by the Department for the Protection and Restoration of Monuments within the Ministry of Culture;

  3. Requests the State Party to submit a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on the progress made in enhancing the conservation and management of the property in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Uzbekistan)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.56               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Noting with concern the findings and recommendations of the UNESCO expert following the urgent request of the State Party to assess the state of conservation of the Ak Sarai Palace and other main buildings within Shakhrisyabz;

  2. Recalling that at the time of the inscription on the World Heritage List, the State Party had assured the World Heritage Committee on plans to elaborate a comprehensive conservation and management plan to strengthen the conservation process at this property;

  3. Recalling further that no international assistance has been made available for this property to date;

  4. Requests the State Party, in close co-operation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to accelerate its efforts towards the elaboration of a long-term comprehensive conservation and management plan for the historic centre of Shakhrisyabz and its main buildings, especially for the conservation of the Ak Sarai Palace;

  5. Requests the State Party to inform the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on the progress made in elaborating and implementing a long-term comprehensive conservation and management plan for the property in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Historic Centre of Vienna (Austria)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.57               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Expressing its appreciation to the Austrian authorities for their strong commitment to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention and the considerable efforts in finding a suitable solution in close collaboration with ICOMOS and the World Heritage Centre;

  2. Acknowledges the establishment of a management plan for the Historic Centre of Vienna;

  3. Further acknowledges the decision of the city authorities to revise the design of the "Wien-Mitte" project and to launch an architectural competition on city planning and to amend the relevant building codes;

  4. Regrets that, in spite of the clear indications of  The World Heritage Committee, one high-rise tower - not part of the "Wien-Mitte" Project - is being built;

  5. Requests the State Party to continue to inform and collaborate with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS concerning the further development of the project and to provide a report thereupon 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.


Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg (Austria)
Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B and 7B.Corr

27 COM 7B.58               The World Heritage Committee, 36

  1. Expressing its appreciation to the State Party and the authorities in Salzburg and ICOMOS for their collaboration concerning this project;

  2. Requests the State Party and City of Salzburg to further collaborate with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS in the future development and review of the project;

  3. Further requests the State Party to provide an up-dated 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.


Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower (Azerbaijan)
Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.7D

27 COM 7B.59               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Regrets that it was not informed at the time of inscription in 2000 that an earthquake had just taken place;

  2. Acknowledging the recent efforts of the national authorities to address the issues of conservation at the property;

  3. Welcomes the newly signed Presidential Decree as an important step towards the legal protection and future safeguarding of the property;

  4. Notes with concern the state of conservation of the property and expresses its deepest concerns over the considerable loss of authenticity due in part to the earthquake in 2000 and to the urban development pressures;

  5. Decides to inscribe the Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to the urgency of the situation and to ensure that concerted efforts by the State Party are made to halt ongoing demolition of historic buildings;

  6. Requests the State Party to work in close collaboration with the World Heritage Centre, the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Division, ICOMOS and ICCROM, to set up a plan of action to address the issues mentioned above, and to jointly elaborate a comprehensive management and conservation plan and ensure the future preservation of the property;

  7. Further requests the Secretariat, ICOMOS and ICCROM to provide a detailed report on the situation, including whether or not the outstanding universal value of the property is maintained, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004.


Historic District of Québec (Canada)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.60               The World Heritage Committee, 37

  1. Taking note of the report transmitted by the State Party and of the fact that an extension of the World Heritage property in order to better protect the World Heritage area is to be submitted for examination;

  2. Congratulates the State Party on the actions undertaken in accordance with the recommendations made by the ICOMOS mission and by the 25th session of the Committee in 2001;

  3. Requests the State Party to continue working in close consultation with ICOMOS and the World Heritage Centre for the implementation of the rest of the actions foreseen in the framework of the project;

  4. Requests the State Party to provide to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004, a progress report on this matter in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay (France)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.61               The World Heritage Committee, 38

  1. Taking note of the development of the project for the re-establishment of the maritime character of the Mont-Saint-Michel prepared by the State Party;

  2. Congratulates the State Partym for their continuing commitment to the protection of the World Heritage property;

  3. Recommends to the State Party that it takes into account the needs of the residents of the Mont-Saint-Michel in the implementation of the project,

  4. Requests the World Heritage Centre to continue working with the State Party and to keep the Committee informed.


City-Museum Reserve of Mtskheta (Georgia)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.62               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Recalling the decision taken at the 26th session of the Committee in 2002 (26 COM 21 (b) 46), to carry out a mission to the property and for a report to be provided by the State Party;

  2. Reminds the State Party of its responsibilities as described in Article 6 of the World Heritage Convention to ensure the preservation and conservation of World Heritage properties;

  3. Urgently requests the World Heritage Centre, the Advisory Bodies and the State Party to work closely together to ensure timely organisation of a joint mission and for a detailed report to be completed in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Cologne Cathedral (Germany)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.63               The World Heritage Committee, 39

  1. Noting the information provided by the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS on the current situation at the property;

  2. Recalling paragraph 56 of the Operational Guidelines, inviting States Parties to provide information to the World Heritage Centre in case of major planning decisions affecting a World Heritage property;

  3. Requests the State Party and City of Cologne to collaborate with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS in the review of the building plans;

  4. Requests the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS to arrange a mission to the property in consultation with the State Party;

  5. Further requests the State Party to provide a detailed report on the situation 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.


Hanseatic City of Lübeck (Germany)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.64               The World Heritage Committee, 40

  1. Expressing its appreciation to the State Party for the report and the decision to change the plans for the projects on the market square;

  2. Requests the State Party and the City of Lübeck to collaborate with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS in the development of the plans for the buildings; ;

  3. Further requests the State Party to provide an updated 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.


Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin (Germany)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.65               The World Heritage Committee, 41

  1. Expressing its appreciation to the State Party for the information on the Havel Project;

  2. Expressing concern regarding the impact of the fire at Glienicke Castle;

  3. Requests the State Party to keep the Committee informed of any future development of the "Havel Waterway Improvement Project" and to provide up-dated information 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.


Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz (Germany)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.66               The World Heritage Committee, 42

  1. Expresses its appreciation to the State Party for the information provided on the Elbe Waterway Project;

  2. Expresses concern for the degradation of the natural environment and the buildings of the Garden Kingdom due to the flooding;

  3. Requests the State Party to provide information to the World Heritage Centre should the authorities of Saxony-Anhalt take any steps towards continuing the Elbe construction project.

  4. Further requests the State Party to provide information to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on the current conditions and the rehabilitation works on the World Heritage property in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Acropolis, Athens (Greece)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.67               The World Heritage Committee,
 

  1. Regrets that the Greek authorities did not provide the report requested by 1 February 2003 until 2 July 2003;

  2. Recalls its request (26 COM 21 (b) 49) that the State Party give urgent consideration to a redefinition of the buffer zone in order to better protect the visual setting of the monument;

  3. Further recalls its request (26 COM 21 (b) 49) that the State Party provide information on any development projects, which may impact on the visual integrity of the World Heritage property and undertake a visual impact study, notably concerning the property of the Acropolis;

  4. Urges the State Party to prevent any activity which would cause irreversible damage to the outstanding universal value of the property;

  5. Requests the State Party to submit 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.


Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne (Ireland)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.68               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Regrets that the State Party has not provided the information requested on the municipal waste incinerator in the vicinity of the World Heritage property;

  2. Recalling paragraph 56 of the Operational Guidelines, inviting States Parties to provide information to the World Heritage Centre in case of major planning decisions affecting a World Heritage property;

  3. Urges the State Party to provide the information requested, including an Environmental Impact Assessment at the earliest opportunity;

  4. Requests UNESCO and ICOMOS to undertake a mission in consultation with the State Party to review the situation and the impact of the project on the value and integrity of the property and to submit a report in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Historic Centre of Riga (Latvia)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.69               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Noting the information provided by the Latvian authorities on the construction project within the buffer zone;

  2. Recalls the protective provisions of the World Heritage Convention and its Operational Guidelines;

  3. Acknowledges the adoption of the Law on the Preservation and Protection of Riga's Historical centre in April 2003; and urges the State Party to implement it;

  4. Considers that any high-rise development at the waterfront is not appropriate for Riga's flat urban situation, and that currently one construction project is ongoing, and its complete halt could produce severe economic consequences for the whole city of Riga;

  5. Therefore requests the State Party to review the construction project and to fully guarantee the respect of the approved detailed plan of Kipsala in order to protect the World Heritage property and its visual integrity;

  6. Further requests the State Party to provide in this regard a report to the World Heritage Centre by the 1 February 2004 and to submit a report in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Curonian Spit (Lithuania and Russian Federation)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.70               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Recalling the decision taken at its 26th session in 2002 (26 COM 21 (b) 57) concerning the Curonian Spit;

  2. Further recalling Article 6.3 of the World Heritage Convention, which states that "each State Party to this Convention undertakes not to take any deliberate measures which might damage directly or indirectly the cultural and natural heritageþ situated on the territory of other States Parties of this Convention";

  3. Urges both State Parties to work co- operatively on the project's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), preparation of risk assessment measures and emergency plans;

  4. Strongly advises that oil production should not commence before all the necessary research has been carried out, including a joint Lithuanian-Russian EIA process, leading to the preparation of a joint work plan for project implementation and prevention/mitigation measures to ensure the conservation of the World Heritage property;

  5. Requests UNESCO to undertake a mission to both States Parties, to review the status of the EIA, to facilitate collaboration between the Russian and Lithuanian authorities, and to ensure the sharing of relevant information between these States Parties and all States Parties to the Convention in the Baltic Region;

  6. Further requests a detailed report by the State Party of the Russian Federation to be prepared on the current status and future plans for the project, to be submitted 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.


Auschwitz Concentration Camp (Poland)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.71               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Expresses its appreciation to the State Party for its efforts in prolonging the Strategic Programme for the Oþwiˆcim Area;

  2. Notes the additional information provided by the Polish authorities on the Programme and other activities at the property;

  3. Urges the national and local authorities to prepare the management plan in collaboration with UNESCO and ICOMOS;

  4. Acknowledges with appreciation the financial support provided by the State Party of Israel;

  5. Requests an updated report to be provided by the State Party of Poland 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.


Cultural Landscape of Sintra (Portugal)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.72               The World Heritage Committee, 43

  1. Taking note of the report on the state of conservation of the Cultural Landscape of Sintra provided by the State Party;

  2. Notes that progress has been achieved in view of some recommendations made in 2000, including the restoration works on the Quinta da Regaleira;

  3. Further notes that several elements of the World Heritage property are in serious condition;

  4. Recalls its request for a detailed management plan for the property which should have been submitted by 31 December 2001;

  5. Urges the State Party to submit 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.


Historic Centre of Sighisoara (Romania)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.73               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Congratulating the State Party on the decision to relocate the proposed theme park;

  2. Takes note of the progress made with regard to restoration projects and protection measures and the intention to request technical assistance under the World Heritage Fund in order to enhance the state of conservation of the property;

  3. Requests the State Party to comply as soon as possible with the additional recommendations made by the international mission and the decision by the 26th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2002 (26 COM 21 (b) 67), i.e. to prepare an overall management plan, including management of tourism, for the World Heritage property;

  4. Urges the authorities to take into account the comments made by ICOMOS on the restoration and conservation of the property;

  5. Further requests the State Party to provide to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 a progress report on these issues in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Kizhi Pogost (Russian Federation)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.74               The World Heritage Committee, 44

  1. Recalling its decisions taken at the 25th extraordinary session of the Bureau in 2001 (Helsinki);

  2. Expresses its appreciation to the authorities of the State Party for their commitment to the preservation of the property;

  3. Takes note of the report and recommendations provided by the International Workshop with regard to the future conservation of this property under threat;

  4. Encourages the State Party, the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to continue to collaborate and to closely follow the future development of the conservation works;

  5. Requests the State Party to provide an updated report the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on progress made in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Spissky Hrad and its Associated Cultural Monuments (Slovakia)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.75               The World Heritage Committee, 45

  1. Expressing its appreciation to the State Party for the report on the overall conservation of the property;

  2. Requests the State Party to keep the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS informed of any future projects, which may have an impact on the property and to provide a report to the World Heritage Centre on traffic and conservation issues at the property, 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.


Old City of Salamanca (Spain)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.76               The World Heritage Committee, 46

  1. Taking note that the Spanish authorities have not provided any official information concerning the current state of the constructions plans for the Auditorium;

  2. Recalling that the walled garden of the Adoratrices is an integral part of the protected core area of the property 'Old City of Salamanca';

  3. Recalling further that when inscribing the property in 1988, the Committee requested the Spanish authorities to take all possible steps to ensure that the laws concerning the protection of the town be strictly applied;

  4. Recalling finally its decision (26 COM 21(b) 69) taken at its 26th session in 2002 that the State Party avoid minor modifications to the present safeguarding plan and elaborate a new adapted and sustainable management plan;

  5. Urges the State Party to elaborate a management plan that also ensures the preservation of open places within the protected area;

  6. Requests the State Party to provide to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 a report on these issues in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Route of Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.77               The World Heritage Committee, 47

  1. Acknowledging the information received from the State Party in 2002;

  2. Expresses concern about the dam project and its effects on the World Heritage property of the Route of Santiago de Compostela;

  3. 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.


Old Town of Avila with its Extra-Muros Churches (Spain)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.78               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Acknowledging that the Spanish authorities have provided, as requested by the World Heritage Centre, information concerning the current state of the construction plan for the Plaza Santa Teresa;

  2. Recalling that the Plaza Santa Teresa has been included in the nomination file as part of the protected area of the property 'Old Town of Avila', being the buffer zone between the Puerta del Alcazar and the Church of San Pedro;

  3. Recalling also that when inscribing the property in 1985, the extra-muros Church of San Pedro was included in the listed area, as advised by the Bureau, and special mention was made of the Square of Santa Teresa as a high point within the World Heritage property;

  4. Further recalling Paragraph 56 of the Operational Guidelines, where the State Party is requested to inform the World Heritage Centre of any construction plans that may affect a World Heritage property;

  5. Expresses concern about the demolition of the old buildings, its impact on the authenticity of the World Heritage property, the construction plans for a new and bigger building, and the refurbishment of the Plaza Santa Teresa;

  6. Urges the State Party to reconsider the construction plans of the new building in order to adapt it as far as possible to the historic ensemble of the area;

  7. Requests the State Party to provide to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004, a report on these issues in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Historic Areas of Istanbul (Turkey)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.79               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Expresses its appreciation to the State Party for submitting the draft zoning of the Historic Peninsula of Istanbul to the World Heritage Centre for comments;

  2. Recalling the repeated concerns expressed by the World Heritage Committee over the delay in the approval of a new urban conservation plan since the abrogation of the previous plan in 1997, and the deterioration of the Ottoman epoch timber buildings in Zeyrek;

  3. Further recalling concerns over the impact of the construction of the subway system on the archaeological deposits in the historic peninsula of Istanbul;

  4. Noting the reports on probable additional disturbances to the archaeological remains and the timber building neighbourhood of Yenikapi which could be caused by the construction of the planned station building for the urban train system;

  5. Requests the State Party to complete and enact the new urban conservation plan without further delay and to make available the technical and financial resources required for emergency measures to prevent the collapse of the timber buildings, particularly in Zeyrek;

  6. Requests the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS to support the State Party in seeking international support to halt further loss of the historic urban fabric of Istanbul;

  7. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 a report on the above to enable  The World Heritage Committee, at its 28th session in 2004, to consider the inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger, in the absence of tangible remedial measures to prevent the loss of World Heritage value of this property.


Kiev: Saint Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Ukraine)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.80               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Expresses its appreciation to the State PartyUkraine authorities for their rapid response to the threats and the programme of action adopted for the property;

  2. Acknowledging the progress made with legal protection of the property through a presidential decree;

  3. Expresses, however, its serious concern for the preservation of the property and in particular for the conservation of the Cathedral and the Belfry;

  4. Requests the State Party to provide a detailed technical report to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2004 on the research and on planned or completed projects in the vicinity of the designated World Heritage property in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Old and New Towns of Edinburgh (United Kingdom)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.81               The World Heritage Committee, 48

  1. Expresses its appreciation to the national authorities as well as the local authorities for their prompt and brave action undertaken during the blaze and immediately after;

  2. Takes note of the actions taken by the Edinburgh City Council and Historic Scotland in close co-operation to develop a remedial action plan for the area;

  3. Takes note that involved stakeholders are studying a conservation plan for the property and that any re-development of the area affected will take full account of the character and medieval pattern of this part of the World Heritage property;

  4. Requests the State Party to provide to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004, a report on this matter and on any significant development proposals in the boundaries and buffer zone of the property in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites (United Kingdom)
Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B and 7B.Corr

27 COM 7B.82               The World Heritage Committee, 49

  1. Taking note of the changes made to the construction technique for the tunnel;

  2. Welcomes the State Party's decision to construct a bored tunnel, which is less damaging for the Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites World Heritage property than a cut-and-cover tunnel;

  3. Noting that the Environmental Impact Assessment of the road improvements to the A303 are available on the web site www.highways.gov.uk;

  4. Requests the State Party to provide a progress 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.


Tower of London (United Kingdom)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.83               The World Heritage Committee, 50

  1. Taking note of the report provided by the State Party on the building project that could have a negative impact on the World Heritage property;

  2. Notes the actions foreseen by the State Party to undertake an in-depth study on the possible impact of such project;

  3. Recommends to the State Party to avoid any construction in the immediate vicinity of the property that could harm the setting and integrity of the property;

  4. Requests the State Party to provide to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 a report on this matter for examination by the in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil),
Jesuit Missions of las Santi¡sima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue (Paraguay) (Argentina/Brazil/ Paraguay)

Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.84               The World Heritage Committee, 51

  1. Takes note of and welcomes the initiative to implement a sub-regional capacity- building programme for the conservation, management and sustainable development of the Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis (2003 to 2005);

  2. Welcomes the co-operation established to this effect between UNESCO and the World Monuments Fund;

  3. Requests the World Heritage Centre to provide information on the implementation and results of the programme for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004.


Brasilia (Brazil)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.85               The World Heritage Committee, 52

  1. Takes note of the report transmitted by the State Party;

  2. Commends the Brazilian authorities for their commitment towards the preservation of this modern city in development, which could set standards for similar properties around the world;

  3. Encourages the further development and implementation of the Master Plan and the continued involvement of all relevant levels of authority, professional organizations and different sectors of society in the ongoing process of protection and management of the city;

  4. Requests that the State Party submit a progress report with the design, adoption and implementation of the Master 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.


Historic Centre of the Town of Goias (Brazil)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.86               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Taking note of the report transmitted by the State Party;

  2. Commending the Brazilian authorities for their concerted effort in restoring the damage caused by the floods;

  3. Recognizing the need for integrated urban and environmental protection of the city centre of Goias to mitigate future impact of heavy rains;

  4. Requests, however, more detailed information, in particular concerning the construction of the road;

  5. Further requests that a monitoring mission be carried out by ICOMOS to assess results of the restoration works carried out and impact of the integrated treatment, among which the road construction, under implementation;

  6. Also requests the State Party to submit a detailed report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on the state of conservation of the property in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Historic Town of Ouro Preto (Brazil)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.87               The World Heritage Committee, 53

  1. Commends the State Party for having requested a monitoring mission;

  2. Expresses concern for the damage caused by the 15 April 2003 fire, which destroyed an 18th century building in the historical centre of Ouro Preto;

  3. Urges the State Party to take risk-preparedness measures and to include them in the management plan of the property;

  4. Urges the State Party to define a core zone and a buffer zone for the nominated area by 15 October 2003 and to finalize the revised management plan;

  5. Requests the State Party to submit 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.


Churches of Chiloé (Chile)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.88               The World Heritage Committee, 54

  1. Strongly recommends that the State Party define and implement a detailed restoration plan for the Churches included on the World Heritage List;

  2. Requests the State Party to submit a detailed report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on the work carried out in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Port, Fortresses and Group of Monuments, Cartagena (Colombia)
Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B and 7B.Corr

27 COM 7B.89               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Taking note of the report provided by the State Party;

  2. Recognizing the need to provide for proper on- site visitor facilities, such as public bathrooms;

  3. Recalling, however, paragraph 56 of the Operational Guidelines, which states that "the World Heritage Committee invites the State Parties to the Convention [...] to inform the Committee, through the UNESCO Secretariat, of their intention to undertake or to authorize in an area protected under the Convention major restorations or new constructions which may affect the World Heritage value of the property";

  4. Commends the State Party for inviting a joint UNESCO-ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission, which took place from 30 May to 3 June 2003, and which concluded that the interventions have not compromised the historic value, nor the authenticity and integrity of the property;

  5. Requests the State Party to submit a detailed report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on the state of conservation of the property in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Colonial City of Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.90               The World Heritage Committee, 55

  1. Takes note of the report transmitted by the State Party;

  2. Regrets that the restoration and enlargement works have been nearly completed without a proper environmental assessment being executed on the impact of these works on the historic setting and fabric of the World Heritage property;

  3. Strongly recommends a closer institutional coordination between the different governmental departments approving and supervising restoration and reconstruction works in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo;

  4. Encourages the adoption and strong enforcement of the new law on monumental heritage;

  5. Requests that the State Party inform the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on the progress made with the adoption of the new law on monumental heritage in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Joya de Ceren Archaeological Site (El Salvador)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.91               The World Heritage Committee, 56

  1. Takes note of the finalization of the management plan;

  2. Congratulates the State Party for its concerted efforts in completing the Plan;

  3. Expresses its appreciation to the Getty Conservation Institute for its important contribution in this field;

  4. Recognizes, because of the vulnerable nature of the property, the need to reinforce the property as a research laboratory in archaeology and conservation, that can also be useful for the sub- region;

  5. Invites the State Party to reinforce the on-site staff and to set up a coordination committee with the relevant national authorities for the plan's implementation;

  6. Invites the State Party to request International Assistance in order to improve the conditions of the water canalizations and avoid further structural damage.


Antigua Guatemala (Guatemala)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.92               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Expressing concern about the foreseen construction of a commercial complex as well as about the new interventions already carried out, which seem to be incompatible with the Antigua Guatemala's heritage protection law;

  2. Recommends that a reactive monitoring mission be carried out as soon as possible to assess the possible damages following the interventions on the Cathedral and on the Church of La Compañia de Jesús, as well as the impact of the proposed commercial complex;

  3. Urges the State Party to finalize the reformulation of the La Antigua's heritage protection law;

  4. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property and the measures taken for its preservation in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Maya Site of Copán (Honduras)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.93               The World Heritage Committee, 57

  1. Takes note of the February 2003 joint UNESCO-ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission's findings and recommendations;

  2. Expresses its appreciation to the State Party for inviting the joint UNESCO-ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to examine the impact of proposed development of the airstrip at the archaeological property of Copán and possible alternatives;

  3. Invites the State Party to discard plans for extension of the airstrip at Copán Ruins and follow the recommendations made by the mission;

  4. Requests that the State Party submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property with particular reference to its decision concerning the development of a commercial airport to operate at the archaeological property of Copán in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Historic Centreity of Puebla (Mexico)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.94               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Taking note of the information provided;

  2. Noting with regret the demolition of three houses;

  3. Encourages the State Party to enhance the participation of local organisations and associations in finalising the Integral Plan for the Rehabiliation of the Historic Centre of Puebla and, to ensure that full respect of the urban and architectural heritage of the historic centre, and further encourages the State Party to remain vigilant with regard to the content and objectives of the Plan;

  4. Commends the establishment of a working group involving the Municipality and Instituto Nacional de Antropologia e Historia (INAH);

  5. Requests the Mexican authorities to provide a detailed monitoring 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.


Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco (Mexico)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.95               The World Heritage Committee, 58

  1. Having taken note of the November 2002 ICOMOS mission findings and recommendations;

  2. Commends the authorities for their efforts to increase the protection and conservation of the property;

  3. Notes with appreciation that a seminar on the recovery of the property was organized under the auspices of UNESCO and of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO);

  4. Strongly supports the current initiative to co-ordinate and manage the conservation process through the design and implementation of a comprehensive Master Plan that includes management strategies and reviews the property's characteristics in relation to its boundaries to include the natural environment, the historic urban heritage and the living culture of the territory and community of Xochimilco;

  5. Requests the State Party and ICOMOS to consult with IUCN on the plans available for the conservation and effective management of Natural Areas and Ecological Zones and determine the best options available for modifying the boundaries of the area in a manner that would ensure the protection of the natural environment of the heritage property;

  6. Encourages the State Party to do its utmost to facilitate this initiative and cooperate with all relevant institutions and organizations in this process; most notably with the local community of Xochimilco;

  7. Requests the State Party to continue working in close consultation with ICOMOS and UNESCO;

  8. Requests that the State Party submit a detailed report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2005 on the progress made with the design, adoption and implementation of the Master Plan in order that World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 29th session in 2005.


Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Panama)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.96               The World Heritage Committee, 59

  1. Noting the lack of information provided by the State Party;

  2. Thanking American Express for its grant awarded for the design and construction of an emergency roof and drainage restoration project at San Lorenzo;

  3. Requests that the State Party submit a progress report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on the design and further measures taken for the conservation of the property in order that World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Chavin (Archaeological Site) (Peru)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.97               The World Heritage Committee, 60

  1. Takes note of the willingness of the State Party to undertake the actions requested by the Committee over the last years;

  2. Invites the State Party to finalize as soon as possible the Master Plan as well as the urban planning and feasibility studies;

  3. Requests an intermediary progress report to be submitted to the Chairperson of the Committee by 1 October 2003, and, if deemed necessary, that a UNESCO/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission take place;

  4. Requests the State Party to submit a detailed progress report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 in order that World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


City of Cuzco (Peru)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.98               The World Heritage Committee, 61

  1. Takes note of the measures undertaken by the municipality to revise the draft Master Plan for the City of Cuzco;

  2. Commends the State Party for its decision to cancel the construction of the parking;

  3. Urges the State Party to finalize the Master Plan for the city of Cuzco;

  4. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 a progress report in order that World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Historic Centre of Lima (Peru)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.99                The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Takes note of the additional information provided by ICOMOS;

  2. Strongly urges the State Party to take into consideration the recommendations made by the July 2002 meeting on the rehabilitation of the Historic Centre of Lima;

  3. Urges the State Party to revise its management plan for the Historic Centre;

  4. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 a detailed report on the revision and implementation of the management plan of the property in order that World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Historical Centre of the City of Arequipa (Peru)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.100               The World Heritage Committee, 62

  1. Shares the ICOMOS recommendations and congratulates the State Party on the progress being made in the implementation of the Master Plan for the Historical Centre of Arequipa;

  2. Recommends to the responsible authorities the incorporation of a risk-preparedness plan into the Master Plan in view of the frequent seismic activity in this region.


Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento (Uruguay)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.101               The World Heritage Committee, 63

  1. Takes note of the recommendations of the ICOMOS mission and the response submitted by the State Party;

  2. Invites the State Party to proceed with the revision of the hotel-casino project in accordance with the recommendations of the ICOMOS expert mission and to further consult the World Heritage Committee and ICOMOS on this matter;

  3. Encourages the State Party to urgently initiate the preparation of a master and management plan for the area inscribed on the World Heritage List with the participation of all relevant institutions as well as with the involvement of local community organisations;

  4. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 a report on the implementation of the above recommendations in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Coro and its Port (Venezuela)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.102               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Takes note of the report of the UNESCO/ICOMOS mission;

  2. Expresses its serious concerns about the lack of adequate management, planning and conservation mechanisms for the property;

  3. Urges the State Party to consider and implement the recommendations of the UNESCO/ICOMOS mission and requests the State Party to submit a progress report on this matter by 15 October 2003;

  4. Authorizes the Chairperson of the Committee to consider the State Party's progress report and to approve, if deemed necessary, a second UNESCO/ICOMOS mission that should prepare a report by 1 February 2004 on the implementation of the mission's recommendations as well as an assessment as to whether the property meets the conditions for inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger;

  5. Decides to examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Avz el-Rab) (Lebanon)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B

27 COM 7B.103               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Takes note of the report on the state of conservation of Ouadi Qadisha presented by the World Heritage Centre;

  2. Invites the State Party to establish, in close consultation with the World Heritage Centre, an appropriate legal framework for the protection of the property, designating the World Heritage property of the Ouadi Qadisha as a National Reserve, and to develop a detailed management plan;

  3. Invites the State Party to establish a co- ordination mechanism involving all the parties concerned in the elaboration and implementation of the management plan of the property;

  4. Requests with regard to illegal constructions within the World Heritage property, that the State Party re- establish the integrity of the property and take the necessary measures to ensure its protection.


Medina of Fez (Morocco)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B.Corr

27 COM 7B.104               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Takes note of the report presented by the Secretariat concerning the construction of a concrete slab, covering the Oued Boukhrareb, within the Medina of Fez, and negatively impacting on the World Heritage property;

  2. Requests the State Party to re-establish the integrity of the property by demolishing this new structure, constructed against the advice of the competent authority;

  3. Invites the State Party to submit a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on progress on this matter in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the property at its 28th session in 2004.


Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri (India)
Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B.Corr

27 COM 7B.105               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Expresses grave concern concerning the report on the large-scale tourism development plan in the immediate vicinity of the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort World Heritage properties, which may irreversibly and negatively impact upon the World Heritage value of the two properties, as well as the heritage values of the related properties in the Agra and Yamuna River areas;

  2. Takes note of the information from the State Party concerning the measures taken to halt the landfill work, pending the decision of the Supreme Court which is examining this development project;

  3. Regrets that the World Heritage Committee was not informed of the intention to undertake a major development activity, the "Taj Heritage Corridor Project", which may negatively affect the World Heritage value of the property. The Committee recalls its invitation to submit such proposals before making any decisions that would be difficult to reverse, as stipulated in paragraph 56 of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention (July 2002);

  4. Requests the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS to undertake a Joint Reactive Monitoring Mission to hold consultations with the State Party concerning this development project with a view to elaborate corrective measures for enhanced conservation, management and development of the World Heritage properties of Taj Mahal and Agra Fort;

  5. Requests the State Party to reconsider the on- going implementation of the project based upon a full analysis and assessment of the impact such major development plan would cause upon the World Heritage properties of Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, while simultaneously assessing the damage already caused by the landfill in the Yamuna River between the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort;

  6. Requests the State Party to consider establishing a co- ordinated and effective management authority for the World Heritage properties in the Agra area, which would include the three World Heritage properties of Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, and Fatehpur Sikri.

  7. Requests the State Party to submit a report to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2004 on the state of conservation of the World Heritage properties, Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, in order that the World Heritage Committee can examine the state of conservation of the properties at its 28th session in 2004. The report should include, if possible, the results of the environmental impact assessment study being undertaken by the Central Power Water Research Centre, as well as the final decision of the Supreme Court concerning the implementation of the development plan, the "Taj Heritage Corridor Project".


GENERAL DECISIONS

27 COM 7B.106               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Requests the Secretariat in consultation with the Advisory Bodies, to ensure that all properties included in the future state of conservation documents, are treated in compliance with the procedures set out in the Operational Guidelines for the implementation of World Heritage Convention for reactive monitoring (paragraph 68, July 2002);

  2. Requests that reports of missions to review the state of conservation of World Heritage properties include, as appropriate:

    1. an indication of threats or significant improvement in the conservation of the property since the last report to  The World Heritage Committee,

    2. any follow-up to previous decisions of the World Heritage Committee on the state of conservation of the property,

    3. information on any threat or damage to or loss of outstanding universal value, integrity and/or authenticity for which the property was inscribed on the World Heritage List;

  3. Further requests that the reports are categorized as follows:

    1. reports with recommended decisions which, in the judgment of the World Heritage Centre in consultation with the Advisory Bodies, require discussion by the World Heritage Committee,

    2. reports which, in the judgment of the World Heritage Centre in consultation with the Advisory Bodies, can be noted without discussion,

    Reports in category (b) will not be discussed unless a request is made to the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee in advance of the discussion of this agenda item;

  4. Invites the World Heritage Centre to present all information on the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the World Heritage List in the following manner:

    1. the report on each property should start on a new page,

    2. the identification number of the property allocated at the time of its nomination should be used in the document,

    3. an index of all properties should also be included,

    4. the decisions should have a standard layout, draft recommendation, and should be concise and operational;

  5. Reaffirms that the deadline to receive reports by the World Heritage Centre from States Parties is 1 February of each year.


27 COM 7B.107               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Noting with concern, during the examination of the state of conservation of the properties inscribed on the World Heritage List, the multiplication of inappropriate pastiche buildings which falsify history;

  2. Invites, in consequence, the States Parties to encourage a contemporary architecture of quality, respectful of the past, which integrates harmoniously with its environment.


27 COM 7B.108               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Requests the Secretariat and ICOMOS to organize a symposium on high-rise constructions and contemporary architecture in World Heritage historic cities: the criteria for regulation and management;

  2. Requests the Secretariat and ICOMOS to provide a proposal on publishing the outcome of the symposium, for consideration by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004.


8       ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST AND THE LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE IN DANGER


8A     TENTATIVE LISTS
          Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/8A


27 COM 8A               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Recalling that Article 11 of the World Heritage Convention requests that States Parties submit Tentative Lists of properties "forming part of the cultural and natural heritage, situated in its territory and suitable for inclusion in the list;",

  2. Takes note of the Tentative Lists presented in Annex II of document WHC-03/27.COM/8A;

  3. Decides to include on the agenda for the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2004, an item concerning the improved use of Tentative Lists;

  4. Requests that the World Heritage Centre, for future Committee sessions, present the document on Tentative Lists in two parts:

    1. New Tentative Lists (or additions to Tentative Lists) submitted by States Parties since the last session of the Committee; and

    2. Tentative Lists submitted prior to the last session of the Committee;

  5. Decides that the Tentative Lists submitted by States Parties should be included on the website of the World Heritage Centre;

  6. Decides that the Tentative Lists should continue to be included as an annex to the working document for the Committee sessions.


8B       NOMINATIONS OF PROPERTIES TO THE LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE IN DANGER
          Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/7B
WHC-03/27.COM/8C

27 COM 8B.1               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Following examination of state of conservation reports of properties on the World Heritage List (WHC-03/27.COM/7B) and of proposals for inscription of properties on the World Heritage List (WHC- 03/27.COM/8C);

  2. Decides to inscribe the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:

    • Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan (27 COM 8C.44)
    • Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower, Azerbaijan (27 COM 7B.59)
    • Comoé National Park, Côte d'Ivoire (27 COM 7B.3)
    • Ashur (Qala'at ash Sherqat), Iraq (27 COM 8C.46)
    • Kathmandu Valley, Nepal (27 COM 7B.52)


27 COM 8B.2               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Following examination of state of conservation reports of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC-03/27.COM/7A);

  2. Decides to maintain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:


27 COM 8B.3               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Following examination of state of conservation reports of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC-03/27.COM/7A);

  2. Decides to remove the following properties from the List of World Heritage in Danger:


8C      NOMINATIONS OF PROPERTIES TO THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST
          Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/8C
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.8A and ADD
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.8B
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.8C


27 COM 8C.1               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Reminds States Parties, in the context of reviewing a nomination for geological heritage, of the importance of including a global comparative analysis when preparing natural heritage nominations under natural criterion (i) for geological heritage.


27 COM 8C.2               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Approves the proposed name changes to existing properties on the World Heritage List as proposed by the authorities of Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia:

    Properties in Hungary:

    Former Name (English / French) New Name (English / French)
    Budapest, the Banks of the Danube and the Buda Castle Quarter /
    Budapest: le panorama des deux bords du Danube et le quartier du château de Buda
    Budapest, including the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrássy Avenue /
    Budapest, avec les rives du Danube, le quartier du château de Buda et l'avenue Andrássy
    Hollokö /
    Hollokö
    Old Village of Hollóko and its surroundings /
    Hollóko, le vieux village et son environnement
    Millenary Benedictine Monastery of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment /
    Monastère bénédictin millénaire de Pannonhalma et son environnement naturel
    Millenary Benedictine Abbey of Pannonhalma and its Natural Environment /
    Abbaye bénédictine millénaire de Pannonhalma et son environnement naturel
    Hortobágy National Park /
    Parc national de l'Hortobágy
    Hortobágy National Park - the Puszta /
    Parc national de Hortobágy - la Puszta
    Pécs (Sopianae) Early Christian Cemetery /
    Cimetière paléochrétien de Pécs (Sopianae)
    Early Christian Necropolis of Pécs (Sopianae) /
    Nécropole paléochrétienne de Pécs (Sopianae)
    Tokaji Wine Region Cultural Landscape /
    Paysage culturel de la région viticole de Tokaji
    Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape /
    Paysage culturel historique de la région viticole de Tokaj

    Transboundary properties:

    States Parties Former Name (English / French) New Name (English / French)
    Hungary / Slovakia Caves of the Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst /
    Grottes du karst aggtelek et du karst slovaque
    Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst /
    Grottes du karst d'Aggtelek et du karst de Slovaquie
    Hungary / Austria Cultural Landscape of Fertö/Neusiedlersee /
    Paysage culturel de Fertö/Neusiedlersee
    Fertö/Neusiedlersee Cultural Landscape /
    Paysage culturel de Fertö/Neusiedlersee (no change)



27 COM 8C.3               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Takes note that the following States Parties had requested that their nominations not be examined at the 27th session of the Committee in 2003:

    • Extension to the Historic District of Québec (Canada)
    • Natural System of "Wrangel Island" Sanctuary (Russian Federation)
    • Franja Partisan Hospital (Slovenia)
    • Historic City of Mardin (Turkey)
    • Extension to Gough Island Wildlife Reserve (United Kingdom).


27 COM 8C.4               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas, China on the World Heritage List on the basis of natural criteria (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv):

    Criterion (i): The property is of outstanding value for displaying the geological history of the last 50 million years associated with the collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate, the closure of the ancient Tethys Sea, and the uplifting of the Himalaya Range and the Tibetan Plateau. These were major geological events in the evolution of the land surface of Asia and they are on-going. The diverse rock types within the property record this history and, in addition, the range of karst, granite monolith, and Danxia sandstone landforms in the alpine zone include some of the best of their type in the mountains of the world.

    Criterion (ii): The dramatic expression of ecological processes in the Three Parallel Rivers property has resulted from a mix of geological, climatic and topographical effects. First, the location of the area within an active orographic belt has resulted in a wide range of rock substrates from igneous (four types) through to various sedimentary types including limestones, sandstones and conglomerates. An exceptional range of topographical features - from gorges to karst to glaciated peaks -- is associated with the property being at a "collision point" of tectonic plates. Add the fact that the area was a Pleistocene refugium and is located at a biogeographical convergence zone (i.e. with temperate and tropical elements) and the physical foundations for evolution of its high biodiversity are all present. Along with the landscape diversity with a steep gradient of almost 6000m vertical, a monsoon climate affects most of the area and provides another favourable ecological stimulus that has allowed the full range of temperate Palearctic biomes to develop.

    Criterion (iii): The deep, parallel gorges of the Jinsha, Lancang and Nu Jiang are the outstanding natural feature of the property; while large sections of the three rivers lie just outside the property boundaries, the river gorges are nevertheless the dominant scenic element in the area. High mountains are everywhere, with the glaciated peaks of the Meili, Baima and Haba Snow Mountains providing a spectacular scenic skyline. The Mingyongqia Glacier is a notable natural phemonenon, descending to 2700 m altitude from Mt Kawagebo (6740 m), and is claimed to be the glacier descending to the lowest altitude for such a low latitude (28° N) in the northern hemisphere. Other outstanding scenic landforms are the alpine karst (especially the 'stone moon' in the Moon Mountain Scenic Area above the Nu Jiang Gorge) and the 'tortoise shell' weathering of the alpine Danxia.

    Criterion (iv): Northwest Yunnan is the area of richest biodiversity in China and may be the most biologically diverse temperate region on earth. The property encompasses most of the natural habitats in the Hengduan Mountains, one of the world's most important remaining areas for the conservation of the earth's biodiversity. The outstanding topographic and climatic diversity of the property, coupled with its location at the juncture of the East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Tibetan Plateau biogeographical realms and its function as a N-S corridor for the movement of plants and animals (especially during the ice ages), marks it as a truly unique landscape, which still retains a high degree of natural character despite thousands of years of human habitation. As the last remaining stronghold for an extensive suite of rare and endangered plants and animals, the property is of outstanding universal value.

    The inscription is for fifteen protected areas in eight clusters:

    Name of Protected Area Area (ha) Buffer (ha)
    Gaoligong Mountain 305,306.1 208,716.3
    Baimang-Meili Snow Mountain 267,507.8 81,511.0
    Laowoshan 17,426.1 31,735.0
    Yunling Mountain 31,346.0 58,441.4
    Laojunshan 44,265.7 87,161.0
    Haba Snow Mountain 28,356.3 73,419.1
    Red Mountain 205,603.8 159,083.6
    Qianhu Mountain 39,629.6 58,910.4
    Total 939,441.4 758,977.9

  2. Commends the Chinese authorities for the planning initiatives made to date and encourages completion of the remaining six protected area management plans and a revision of the General Management Plan;

  3. Notes concerns over the nature and extent of future tourism and hydro development that may affect the nominated property;

  4. Encourages the continued refinement of the boundaries of the property, including the addition of other areas of equally high natural value, expansion of core zones and discussion of transboundary issues with neighbouring jurisdictions;

  5. Requests the Chinese authorities to invite a mission in 3-4 years time to: (i) review progress with implementation of management plans and, (ii) to assess revisions to the boundaries of the property;

  6. Commends the cooperative efforts of The Nature Conservancy, the World Wildlife Fund, the Global Environmental Facility and others for their assistance in strengthening the efforts of the Chinese authorities.


27 COM 8C.5               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Defers consideration of the nomination of Ras Mohammed, Egypt, to allow the State Party to consider extending the boundaries of the nomination to include the eastern portion of the Ras Mohammed National Park as well as appropriate sectors of the adjoining protected marine areas in the coastal zone of the Gulf of Aqaba.


27 COM 8C.6               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Defers consideration of the nomination of Saryarka - Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan, until a detailed action plan and implementation programme demonstrating the commitment of the State Party to: (a) maintaining the existing natural flows in the Nura River and containing deposits of mercury pollution; (b) upgrading the Sarykopa Wildlife Reserve to Nature Reserve protected status; and (c) linking the Tersek and Sypsyn outliers to an extended main Naurzum Nature Reserve by protecting the intervening corridors of unmodified steppe;

  2. Requests IUCN to undertake a thematic study for Central Asia in time for the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2004.


27 COM 8C.7               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes Monte San Giorgio, Switzerland, on the World Heritage List on the basis of natural criterion (i):

    Criterion (i): Monte San Giorgio is the single best known record of marine life in the Triassic period, and records important remains of life on land as well. The property has produced diverse and numerous fossils, many of which show exceptional completeness and detailed preservation. The long history of study of the property and the disciplined management of the resource have created a well documented and catalogued body of specimens of exceptional quality, and are the basis for a rich associated geological literature. As a result, Monte San Giorgio provides the principal point of reference, relevant to future discoveries of marine Triassic remains throughout the world.

  2. Requests that the State Party ensure that the boundaries of the property are marked clearly on the ground;

  3. Encourages the State Party to develop on-site interpretation, so that visitors to the property can readily appreciate its significance, linking this interpretation to the development of the Meride Mmuseum;

  4. Further encourages the authorities of Switzerland and Italy to collaborate in a proposal for a transboundary extension of the property into Italian territory, once satisfactory levels of political commitment have been attained and it is clear that the conditions of integrity can be met.


27 COM 8C.8               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Viet Nam, on the World Heritage List on the basis of natural criterion (i):

    Criterion (i): Phong Nha is part of a larger dissected plateau, which also encompasses the Ke Bang and Hin Namno karsts. The limestone is not continuous and demonstrates complex interbedding with shales and sandstones. This, together with the capping of schists and apparent granites has led to a particularly distinctive topography.

    The caves demonstrate discrete episodic sequences of events, leaving behind various levels of fossil passages, formerly buried and now uncovered palaeokarst (karst from previous, perhaps very ancient, periods of solution); evidence of major changes in the routes of underground rivers; changes in the solutional regime; deposition and later re-solution of giant speleothems and unusual features such as sub-aerial stromatolites. The location and form of the caves suggests that they might owe much of their size and morphology to some as yet undetermined implications of the schists and granites which overlay the limestone. On the surface, there is a striking series of landscapes, ranging from deeply dissected ranges and plateaux to an immense polje. There is evidence of at least one period of hydrothermal activity in the evolution of this ancient mature karst system. The plateau is probably one of the finest and most distinctive examples of a complex karst landform in southeast Asia.

    In summary, Phong Nha displays an impressive amount of evidence of earth's history. It is a property of very great importance for increasing our understanding of the geologic, geomorphic and geo-chronological history of the region.

  2. Requests the State Party to identify the impact of the road construction project linking the Ho Chi Minh Highway and Route 20, and to determine how this impact can be mitigated and the property's values restored;

  3. Encourages the State Party to undertake a thorough review of the boundaries of the nomination, so as to provide more complete coverage of natural values and karst geomorphological processes;

  4. Encourages the State Party to prepare and submit a visitor management plan for the property, information on the regulations that apply to the management of the buffer zone, and information on enforcement measures and other actions that will be taken to control poaching;

  5. Reiterates the request made in 1999 to the State Party to continue dialogue on a transboundary agreement with the State Party of the Lao People's Democratic Republic that would integrate Phong Nha-Ke Bang and the Hin Namno National Conservation Area.


27 COM 8C.9               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes Uvs Nuur Basin, Mongolia/ Russian Federation, on the World Heritage List on the basis of natural criteria (ii) and (iv):

    Criterion (ii): The closed salt lake system of Uvs Nuur is of international scientific importance because of its climatic and hydrological regimes. Because of the unchanging nature of the nomadic pastoral use of the grasslands within the basin over thousands of years, current research programmes should be able to unravel the rate at which Uvs Nuur (and other smaller lakes within the basin) have become saline (and eutrophic). These processes are on-going and because of its unique geophysical and biological characteristics, the basin has been chosen as an Interntational Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGPB) site for monitoring global warming.

    Criterion (iv): The Uvs Nuur property has a large range of ecosystems, representing the major biomes of eastern Eurasia, with a number of endemic plants. Although the basin is inhabited and has been used for nomadic pastoralism for thousands of years, the mountains, forests, steppes and deserts are extremely important habitats for a wide range of wild animals, many of them threatened or endangered. The steppe ecosystem supports a rich diversity of birds and the deserts a number of rare gerbil, jerboas and the marbled polecat. The mountains at the western end of the basin are important refuges for the globally threatened snow leopard, mountain sheep (argali) and the Asiatic ibex. Uvs Nuur itself is an important habitat for waterfowl as well as for birds migrating south from Siberia.

    The inscription is for twelve protected areas:

    Cluster name State Party Area (ha) Buffer (ha)
    Mongun Taiga Russian Federation 15,890 84,510
    Ubsu-Nur Russian Federation 4,490
    Oroku-Shinaa Russian Federation 28,750
    Aryskannyg Russian Federation 15,000 11,800
    Jamaalyg Russian Federation 800 4,000
    Tsugeer els Russian Federation 4,900 50,000
    Ular Russian Federation 18,000 20,480
    Tsagan shuvuut Mongolia 23,170
    Turgen Mongolia 116,831
    Uvs Lake Mongolia 424,298
    Altan els Mongolia 148,246
    Tes River Mongolia 97,688.5
    TOTAL 898,063.5 170,790

  2. Encourages the State Party of Mongolia to give priority to upgrading the Tes River Specially Protected Area, currently protected at a provincial level, to a Specially Protected Area under State legislation;

  3. Further encourages both States Parties to ensure that adequate resources are made available quickly and maintained for the effective implementation of the management plans;

  4. Commends Mongolia for steps taken to expand the nominated area, and both States Parties for their efforts to date in developing transboundary co- operation for the conservation of the property. The consolidation of such collaboration should be encouraged and maintained.


27 COM 8C.10               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Approves the extension of Jaú National Park, Brazil, with the addition of the Amana Sustainable Development Reserve, the Demonstration area of the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve and the Anavilhanas Ecological Station;

  2. Adopts, with the agreement of the State Party, the new name for the property, "Central Amazon Conservation Complex";

  3. Encourages the State Party to re-nominate the subsidiary area of Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve once it fully meets the conditions of integrity.

The inscription adds three protected areas to Jaú National Park:

Name Date
Inscribed
Area (ha)
Jaú National Park 2000 2,272,000
Demonstration area of Mamairauá Sustainable Development Reserve 2003 260,000
Amanã Sustainable Development Reserve 2003 2,350,000
Anavilhanas Ecological Station 2003 350,018
TOTAL 5,232,018


27 COM 8C.11               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Recognizing the outstanding universal cultural and natural value of Purnululu National Park, Australia, and the importance of the relationship and interaction between the Traditional Owners and the natural environment of the property;

  2. Inscribes the property on the World Heritage List on the basis of natural criteria (i) and (iii) as recommended by IUCN:

    Criterion (i): The Bungle Bungles are, by far, the most outstanding example of cone karst in sandstones anywhere in the world and owe their existence and uniqueness to several interacting geological, biological, erosional and climatic phenomena.

    The sandstone karst of Purnululu National Park is of great scientific importance in demonstrating so clearly the process of cone karst formation on sandstone - a phenomenon recognised by geomorphologists only over the past 25 years and still not completely understood, despite recently renewed interest and research. The Bungle Bungle Ranges of the Park also display to an exceptional degree evidence of geomorphic processes of dissolution, weathering and erosion in the evolution of landforms under a savannah climatic regime within an ancient, stable sedimentary landscape.

    Criterion (iii): Although Purnululu National Park has been widely known in Australia only during the past 20 years and it remains relatively inaccessible, it has become recognised internationally for its exceptional natural beauty. The prime scenic attraction is the extraordinary array of banded, beehive-shaped cone towers comprising the Bungle Bungle Range. These have become emblematic of the park and are internationally renowned among Australia's natural attractions. The dramatically sculptured structures, unrivalled in their scale, extent, grandeur and diversity of forms anywhere in the world, undergo remarkable seasonal variation in appearance, including striking colour transition following rain. The intricate maze of towers is accentuated by sinuous, narrow, sheer-sided gorges lined with majestic Livistona fan palms. These and the soaring cliffs up to 250 m high are cut by seasonal waterfalls and pools, creating the major tourist attractions in the park, with evocative names such as Echidna Chasm, and Frog Hole, Piccaninny and Cathedral Gorges. The diversity of landforms and ecosystems elsewhere in the park are representative of the larger region, and lack a unique aesthetic quality, but provide a sympathetic visual buffer for the massif.

  3. Defers consideration of the inscription of the property under cultural criteria;.

  4. Requests that the State Party:

    1. ensure that any mining activities outside or adjacent to the World Heritage property, including within catchments that flow into the World Heritage property, would be subject to the application of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and the highest standards of environmental assessment, planning, management and monitoring;

    2. give priority to incorporating the Purnululu Conservation Reserve into the park and expanding the park into the surrounding pastoral country to add important natural and cultural assets, and to provide better buffering and boundary delimitation;

    3. significantly increase funding and staffing for the property, in order to improve natural and cultural heritage management; to minimize the impacts of grazing animals and invasive species; to upgrade staff and visitor facilities; and to continue negotiations that will lead to improved access to the park, while taking great care to avoid undesirable impacts from increased visitation on the natural and cultural values of the property; and

    4. Update the management plan of the Park, including:

      • Clearer arrangements for the governance of the nominated property, particularly in relation to sustaining traditional Aboriginal communities in the Park;
      • An approach to ways of sustaining intangible qualities; and
      • An appraisal of approaches to ethnographic, sociological and oral recording of intangible and tangible cultural traditions;

  5. Requests the State Party to report back to the World Heritage Committee at its 29th session in 2005 or earlier on their efforts to address the recommendations made by IUCN and ICOMOS in their evaluations of the property (WHC-03/27.COM/INF.8A and WHC- 03/27.COM/INF.8B).


27 COM 8C.12               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides not to inscribe Rio de Janeiro: Sugar Loaf, Tijuca Forest and the Botanical Gardens, Brazil, on the World Heritage List on the basis of natural criteria;

  2. Defers consideration of the cultural criteria of Rio de Janeiro: Sugar Loaf, Tijuca Forest and the Botanical Gardens, Brazil, encouraging the State Party to:

    1. undertake an appraisal of the cultural values of Rio's setting in order to inform a re-definition of the boundaries of the proposed World Heritage property, so as to protect the overall back-drop of the city more effectively; and

    2. put in place an integrated management plan, including revisions to the legislative protection and boundaries of the proposed property, as recommended by IUCN and ICOMOS;

  3. Further encourages the State Party to renominate the property as a cultural landscape, subject to the caveats outlined above.


27 COM 8C.13               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides not to inscribe Parque Nacional del Este and its buffer zone, Dominican Republic, on the World Heritage List on the basis of natural criteria;

  2. Decides to refer back to the State Party the nomination of Parque Nacional del Este and its buffer zone, Dominican Republic, encouraging the State Party to undertake the survey programme recommended by ICOMOS and to provide assurances that the resources, management, facilities, and security issues noted by ICOMOS will be examined and responded to.


27 COM 8C.14               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides not to inscribe Pico Island Vineyard Culture, Portugal, on the World Heritage List on the basis of natural criteria;

  2. Refers back to the State Party consideration of the cultural criteria of Pico Island Vineyard Culture, Portugal, to allow the State Party to nominate a more extensive area and as a cultural landscape, as recommended by ICOMOS.


27 COM 8C.15               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides not to inscribe Serra da Capivara National Park, Brazil, on the World Heritage List on the basis of natural criteria;

  2. Encourages the State Party to consider including relevant protected areas in a serial nomination that can better ensure biodiversity conservation of the Caatinga biome;

  3. Commends the State Party, through the commitment and work of the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) and the Museum for American Man Foundation (FUMDHAM), for transforming Serra da Capivara National Park over a decade from a "paper park" into one of the best managed protected areas in Latin America;

  4. Urges the State Party to promote the use of the best practice experience that has contributed to the effective management of Serra da Capivara National Park to enhance the planning and management of the recently created Serra das Confusoes National Park;

  5. Notes that the original inscription of Serra da Capivara National Park on the World Heritage List under cultural criterion (iii) is not affected by this decision.


27 COM 8C.16               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides not to inscribe the Saint Catherine Area, Egypt, on the World Heritage List on the basis of natural criteria;

  2. Encourges the State Party to resubmit the nomination as a cultural landscape; and

  3. Notes that the original inscription of the Saint Catherine Area on the World Heritage List under cultural criteria (i), (iii), (iv) and (vi) is not affected by this decision.


27 COM 8C.17               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes Quebrada de Humahuaca, Argentina, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (ii), (iv) and (v):

    Criterion (ii): The Quebrada de Humahuaca Vvalley has been used over the past 10,000 years as a crucial passage for the transport of people and ideas from the high Andean lands to the plains.

    Criteria (iv) and (v): The Quebrada de Humahuaca Vvalley reflects the way its strategic position has engendered settlement, agriculture and trade. Its distinctive pre-Hispanic and pre-Incan settlements, as a group with their associated field systems, form a dramatic addition to the landscape and one that can certainly be called outstanding.

  2. Requests the Argentinean authorities to submit to the World Heritage Centre the final management plan once it has been completed;

  3. Encourages the State Party to carry out an environmental assessment of the proposed flood defence project in order to gauge its impact on the outstanding universal value of the Vvalley;

  4. Recommends that the State Party work with the Inca Route Secretariat to consider including Quebrada de Humahuaca on the Qhapac Nan - Camino Inca.


27 COM 8C.18               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes The Jewish Quarter and St Procopius' Basilica in Trebíc, Czech Republic, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (ii) and (iii):

    Criterion (ii): The Jewish Quarter and St. Procopius Basilica of Trebíc bear witness to the coexistence and interchange of values between two different cultures, Jewish and Christian, over many centuries.

    Criterion (iii): the Jewish Quarter of Trebíc is an exceptional testimony to the cultural traditions related to the Jewish diaspora in central Europe.

    The inscription is for three separate elements:

    Property
    element
    Area (ha) Buffer
    Zone (ha)
    Jewish Quarter 4.37 143
    Jewish Cemetery 1.23
    Basilica of St Procopius 0.23
    TOTAL 5.73 143

  2. Encourages the Czech authorities to continuously monitor the appropriate use of materials and the quality of the conservation;

  3. Further encourages the State Party to organize, in collaboration with ICOMOS and ICCROM, training and information sessions for the benefit of property owners and contractors who work in this area.


27 COM 8C.19               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Defers the nomination of the Complex of Koguryo Tombs, Democratic People's Republic of Korea;

  2. Notes the supplementary information submitted by the State Party;

  3. Requests that further steps be taken so that the relevant remaining technical issues can be resolved with a view to considering the nomination at the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2004.


27 COM 8C.20               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Defers the nomination of The Town Hall and Roland on the Marketplace of Bremen, Germany, to allow for the historical and architectural evaluation of the property in the framework of a comparative study of town halls.


27 COM 8C.21               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, India, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (iii) and (v):

    Criterion (iii): Bhimbetka reflects a long interaction between people and the landscape, as demonstrated in the quantity and quality of its rock art;.

    Criterion (v): Bhimbetka is closely associated with a hunting and gathering economy as demonstrated in the rock art and in the relicts of this tradition in the local adivasi villages on the periphery of this property;.

  2. Requests that the State Party undertake a survey of the rock art within the nominated area and an appraisal of is conservation within one year, if possible;

  3. Further suggests that the State Party consider in the future extending the boundary of the property to encompass part of the wider living cultural landscape associated with the adivasi villages, which is already the subject of the management plan.


27 COM 8C.22               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes Takht-e Soleyman, Islamic Republic of Iran, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi):

    Criterion (i): Takht-e Soleyman is an outstanding ensemble of royal architecture, joining the principal architectural elements created by the Sasanians in a harmonious composition inspired by their natural context.

    Criterion (ii): The composition and the architectural elements created by the Sasanians at Takht-e Soleyman have had strong influence not only in the development of religious architecture in the Islamic period, but also in other cultures.

    Criterion (iii): The ensemble of Takht-e Soleyman is an exceptional testimony of the continuation of cult related to fire and water over a period of some two and half millennia. The archaeological heritage of the property is further enriched by the Sasanian town, which is still to be excavated.

    Criterion (iv): Takht-e Soleyman represents an outstanding example of a Zoroastrian sanctuary, integrated with Sasanian palatial architecture within a composition, which can be seen as a prototype.

    Criterion (vi): As the principal Zoroastrian sanctuary, Takht-e Soleyman is the foremost property associated with one of the early monotheistic religions of the world. The property has many important symbolic relationships, being also a testimony of the association of the ancient beliefs, much earlier than the Zoroastrianism, as well as in its association with significant biblical figures and legends.


27 COM 8C.23               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Noting the request for a modification of the original name of the property,

  2. Inscribes the White City of Tel-Aviv - the Modern Movement, Israel, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (ii) and (iv):

    Criterion (ii): The White City of Tel Aviv is a synthesis of outstanding significance of the various trends of the Modern Movement in architecture and town planning in the early part of the 20th century. Such influences were adapted to the cultural and climatic conditions of the place, as well as being integrated with local traditions.

    Criterion (iv): The new town of Tel Aviv is an outstanding example of new town planning and architecture in the early 20th century, adapted to the requirements of a particular cultural and geographic context.

    The property consists of three separate zones, surrounded by a common buffer zone:

    Zone Area (ha) Buffer zone (ha)
    Zone A (the "Central White City") 97.50 197 ha
    Zone B 36.40
    Zone C ("Bialik Area") 6.47
    TOTAL 140.37 197 ha

  3. Encourages the State Party to continue monitoring development trends in Tel Aviv, and to improve where possible the control of changes in the existing fabric;

  4. Recommends that height limits be proposed for the property and its buffer zone;

  5. Encourages the State Party to integrate the management and conservation plans in order to guarantee their efficacy.


27 COM 8C.24               With regard to protective legislation in Israel,the World Heritage Committee,

  1. Encourages the State Party to broaden the scope of its system of legal protection at the national level to include modern heritage.


27 COM 8C.25               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Noting that this property is the first to be inscribed on the World Heritage List from Kazakhstan,,

  2. Inscribes The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, Kazakhstan, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (i), (iii) and (iv):

    Criterion (i): The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi is an outstanding achievement in the Timurid architecture, and it has significantly contributed to the development of Islamic religious architecture.

    Criterion (iii): The mausoleum and its property represent an exceptional testimony to the culture of the Central Asian region, and to the development of building technology.

    Criterion (iv): The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi was a prototype for the development of a major building type in the Timurid period, becoming a significant reference in the history of Timurid architecture.

  3. Recommends that the State Party give special attention to the control of the built environment outside the buffer zone in order to avoid any high-rise constructions;

  4. Encourages the State Party to increase the resources for conservation management, and to establish a training strategy for those involved in the conservation of the property;

  5. Requests that the State Party submit to the World Heritage Centre when complete the Five-Year Management Plan prepared by the State Institute for Scientific Research and Planning on Monuments of Material Culture.


27 COM 8C.26               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda of Queréetaro, Mexico, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (ii) and (iii):

    Criterion (ii): The Sierra Gorda Missions exhibit an important interchange of values in the process of evangelisation of central and northern Mexico, and the western United States.

    Criterion (iii): The five Sierra Gorda missions bear witness to the cultural encounter of the European missions with the nomadic populations of central Mexico, remaining a significant testimony to this second phase of evangelisation in North America.

    The property consists of five separate missions in the State of Queretaro:

    Mission Municipality Area Coordinates
    Santiago de Jalpan Jalpan de Serra 21.85 ha N21 12 15.8
    W99 27 50.8
    Santa María del Agua de Landa Landa de Matamoros 31.70 ha N21 10 09.2
    W99 18 39.0
    San Francisco del Valle de Tilaco Landa de Matamoros 25.27 ha N21 09 40.3
    W99 11 33.5
    Nuestra Señora de la Luz de Tancoyol Jalpan de Serra 13.54 ha N21 24 01.5
    W99 19 40.9
    San Miguel Concá Arroyo Seco 11.37 ha N21 26 40.9
    W99 38 13.0
    TOTAL 103.73 ha

  2. Encourages the State Party to give special attention to the control of future developments in the region, taking into account sustainable land-use in and around the settlements, and the character of the landscape.


27 COM 8C.27               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Defers the nomination of the Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape, Mongolia, to allow the State Party to clarify the boundaries of the property. A proposal for a wider cultural landscape should include assurances that the protection of natural as well as cultural values will be addressed;.

  2. Encourages the State Party to consider an alternative location for the proposed visitor centre at Kharkhorum.


27 COM 8C.28               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides not to inscribe The Valley of the Pradnik River in the Ojcowski National Park, Poland, on the World Heritage List;.

  2. Commends the State Party on the quality of its management of the Valley of the Pradnik River within the Ojkowski National Park;

  3. Encourages the State Party to consider using other mechanisms to recognize the international importance of the property, as noted by IUCN.


27 COM 8C.29               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes the Citadel, Ancient City and Fortress Bbuildings of Derbent, Russian Federation, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (iii) and (iv):

    Criterion (iii): The site of the ancient city of Derbent has been crucial for the control of the north- south passage on the west side of the Caspian Sea since the 1st millennium BCE. The defence structures that were built by the Sasanians in the 5th century CE were in continuous use by the succeeding Persian, Arabic, Mongol, and Timurid governments for some fifteen15 centuries.

    Criterion (iv): The ancient city of Derbent and its defence structures are the most significant section of the strategic defence systems designed and built in the Sasanian Eempire along their northern limes (lines?), and maintained during the successive governments until the Russian occupation in the 19th century.

  2. Recommends that special attention be given to the need to strengthen the implementation of management by providing the necessary financial and professional resources;

  3. Further recommends that the norms for new construction in the areas surrounding the nominated property should be elaborated specifying the height, volume and architectural character in harmony with the historic area;

  4. Further recommends that reconstruction be strictly limited, following internationally accepted guidelines.


27 COM 8C.30               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes the Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, South Africa, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v):

    Criterion (ii): The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape contains evidence of an important interchange of human values that led to far-reaching cultural and social changes in southern Africa between AD 900 and 1300.

    Criterion (iii): The remains in the Mapungubwe cultural landscape are a remarkably complete testimony to the growth and subsequent decline of the Mapungubwe Sstate which at its height was the largest kingdom in the African sub-continent

    Criterion (iv): The establishment of Mapungubwe as a powerful state, trading through the East African ports with Arabia and India was a significant stage in the history of the African sub-continent.

    Criterion (v): The remains in the Mapungubwe cultural landscape graphically illustrate the impact of climate change and record the growth and then decline of the Kkingdom of Mapungubwe as a clear record of a culture that became vulnerable to irreversible change.

  2. Draws attention to the State Party's statutory requirements for the protection of World Heritage properties;

  3. Encourages the State Party to:

    1. Complete the formal designation of the Vhembe- Dongola National Park, and undertake contractual negotiations with private landowners within the nominated property;

    2. Reconstitute the Archaeological Task Group as an integral part of the management scheme, with the responsibility of preparing research policies and authorizing and overseeing excavation and survey projects;

    3. Commission from consultants, with experience in this field, an integrated interpretation plan, involving the content and display of the interpretation centre, and the presentation and interpretation of individual sites;

    4. Expand the permanent staffing of the Park management team so as to include a full-time professional archaeologist with heritage management training.


27 COM 8C.31               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Noting that this property is the first to be inscribed on the World Heritage List from Sudan;,

  2. Inscribes Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region, Sudan, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi):

    Criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv): The nominated pyramids and tombs, being also part of the special desert border landscape, on the banks of the Nile, are unique in their typology and technique. The remains are the testimony to an ancient important culture which existed and flourished in this region only;.

    Criterion (vi): Since antiquity the hill of Gebel Barkal has been strongly associated with religious traditions and local folklore. For this reason, the largest temples (Amon Temple for example) were built at the foot of the hill and are still considered by the local people as sacred places.

    The property consists of five archaeological sites:

    Name Area (ha) Buffer (ha) Coordinates
    Gebel Barkal 121.00 40.00 N18 32 00 E31 49 00
    El-Kurru 4.50 6.50 N18 24 36 E31 46 17
    Nuri 17.00 N18 33 50 E31 55 00
    Sanam 20.00 N18 28 56 E31 49 08
    Zuma 20.00 N18 22 12 E31 44 28
    TOTAL 182.50 46.50

  3. Requests the State Party to work with the World Heritage Centre to finalize the management plan, including an active conservation programme with priorities, budget, appropriate staff and timelines; and to ensure full government commitment to its implementation;

  4. Requests that the State Party report back to the Committee at its 28th session in 2004 on the progress made in the implementation of the management system.


27 COM 8C.32               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (ii), (iii) and (iv):

    Criterion (ii): Since the 18th century, the Botanic Gardens of Kew have been closely associated with scientific and economic exchanges established throughout the world in the field of botany, and this is reflected in the richness of its collections. The landscape and architectural features of the gardens reflect considerable artistic influences both with regard to the European continent and to more distant regions;

    Criterion (iii): Kew Gardens have largely contributed to advances in many scientific disciplines, particularly botany and ecology;

    Criterion (iv): The landscape gardens and the edifices created by celebrated artists such as Charles Bridgeman, William Kent, Lancelot 'Capability' Brown and William Chambers reflect the beginning of movements which were to have international influence;

  2. Encourages the State Party to include on the staff of the Royal Botanic Gardens a landscape architect or other specialist qualified in the history of art and history in general, so that architectural conservation activities can be coordinated on-site; and

  3. Notes that these activities need to be balanced with the property's other roles in science, education and public enjoyment.


27 COM 8C.33               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Defers the nomination of The Old City of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, to allow the State Party to:

    1. complete the reconstruction of the Old Bridge and the main features of the property and to redefine the significance of the Old City, taking into account the impact of the destruction and reconstruction of the property;

    2. identify the relevant World Heritage criteria, review the nominated core area and buffer zone;

    3. review and implement the management system and relevant plans in view of the significance of the nominated property and its context.


27 COM 8C.34               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Noting that this property is the first to be inscribed on the World Heritage List from Gambia,

  2. Inscribes James Island and Related Sites, Gambia, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (iii) and (vi):

    Criterion (iii): James Island and Related Sites on the River Gambia provide an exceptional testimony to the different facets of the African-European encounter, from the 15th to 20th centuries. The River Gambia formed the first trade route into the interior of Africa and became an early corridor for the slave trade.

    Criterion (vi): James Island and Related Sites, the villages and the batteries, were directly and tangibly associated with the beginning and the conclusion of the slave trade, retaining its memory related to the African Diaspora.

    The property consists of seven sites along the River Gambia River:

    Name District Area (ha) Buffer Zone
    James Island Lower Niumi District 0.35 ha  
    Six-Gun Battery Banjul Municipality 0.17 ha  
    Fort Bullen Upper Niumi District 6.3 ha  
    Ruins of San Domingo Lower Niumi District 0.723 ha 300 ha
    (Coastal strip)
    Remains of Portuguese Chapel Lower Niumi District 0.006 ha
    CFAO64   Building Lower Niumi District 0.030 ha
    Maurel Frères Building Lower Niumi District 0.0191 ha
      TOTAL 7.5981 ha 300 ha

  3. Requests the State Party to work with the World Heritage Centre to strengthen the management plan for the entire property, integrating protection of the cultural landscape of the River Gambia River into this plan;

  4. Requests that the State Party report back to the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004 on the progress made in the implementation of this plan.


27 COM 8C.35               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes The Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy, Italy, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (ii) and (iv):

    Criterion (ii): The implantation of architecture and sacred art into a natural landscape for didactic and spiritual purposes achieved its most exceptional expression in the Sacri Monti ('Sacred Mountains') of northern Italy and had a profound influence on subsequent developments elsewhere in Europe.

    Criterion (iv): The Sacri Monti ('Sacred Mountains') of northern Italy represent the successful integration of architecture and fine art into a landscape of great beauty for spiritual reasons at a critical period in the history of the Roman Catholic Church.

    The property consists of nine separate areas:

    Name Province
    (Region)
    Area (ha) Buffer (ha)
    Sacro Monte o "Nuova Gerusalemme" di Varallo Sesia Vercelli
    (Piedmont)
    5.40 26.10
    Sacro Monte di S.Maria Assunta di Serralunga di Crea Alessandria
    (Piedmont)
    8.90 24.10
    Sacro Monte di San Francesco d'Orta San Giulio Novara
    (Piedmont)
    14.00 7.50
    Sacro Monte del Rosario di Varese Varese
    (Lombardy)
    14.60 32.60
    Sacro Monte della Beata Vergine, Oropa Biella
    (Piedmont)
    15.40 49.60
    Sacro Monte della Beata Vergine del Soccorso, Ossuccio Como
    (Lombardy)
    3.00 9.00
    Sacro Monte della SS.Trinità, Ghiffa Verbania
    (Piedmont)
    11.00 210.00
    Sacro Monte Calvario, Domodossola Verbania
    (Piedmont)
    3.60 41.40
    Sacro Monte di Belmonte, Valperga Canavese Turin
    (Piedmont)
    14.60 321.60
    TOTAL 90.50 721.90

  2. Encourages the authorities of Italy and Switzerland to consider a possible transboundary collaboration in an extension of the property to include other properties of this type in Switzerland.


27 COM 8C.36               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes the Wooden Churches of Southern Little Poland, Poland, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (iii) and (iv):

    Criterion (iii): The wooden churches of Little Poland bear important testimony to medieval church building traditions, as these related to the liturgical and cult functions of the Roman Catholic Church in a relatively closed region in central Europe.

    Criterion (iv): The churches are the most representative examples of surviving Gothic churches built in horizontal log technique, particularly impressive in their artistic and technical execution, and sponsored by noble families and rulers as symbols of social and political prestige.

    The property consists of six separate churches:

    Church Town Area (ha) Buffer (ha)
    Church of the Archangel Michael Binarowa 1.80 40.4
    Church of All Saints Blizne 2.20 46.7
    Church of the Archangel Michael Debno 0.14 64.0
    Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
    and the Archangel Michael
    Haczów 1.30 38.2
    Church of St Leonard Lipnica Murowana 1.10 16.5
    Church of St Philip and St James the Apostles Sekowa 1.72 36.4
    TOTAL 8.26 242.2


27 COM 8C.37               With regard to the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy, Italy and the Wooden Churches of Southern Little Poland, Poland, the World Heritage Committee,

  1. Congratulates the States Parties of Italy and Poland on the successful establishment of planning mechanisms for the two serial nominations;

  2. Encourages the States Parties to work with the World Heritage Centre in assisting other States Parties to develop planning mechanisms for similar serial properties;

  3. Requests that the two States Parties report back to the Committee at its 28th session in 2004 on the implementation of the management mechanisms and any potential extensions.


27 COM 8C.38               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes the Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (iii), (v) and (vi):

    Criterion (iii): The Matobo Hills has one of the highest concentrations of rock art in southern Africa. The rich evidence from archaeology and from the rock paintings at Matobo provide a very full picture of the lives of foraging societies in the Stone Age and the way agricultural societies came to replace them.

    Criterion (v): The interaction between communities and the landscape, manifested in the rock art and also in the long standing religious traditions still associated with the rocks, are community responses to a landscape.

    Criterion (vi): The Mwari religion, centred on Matobo, which may date back to the Iron Age, is the most powerful oracular tradition in southern Africa.

  2. Requests the State Party, by the time of the 28th session of the Committee in 2004, to establish an effective management committee composed of all the key stakeholders; and complete the development of a management system designed according to the capacity of the World Heritage property in its cultural and natural context.


27 COM 8C.39               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Approves the extension of the Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, China, on the World Heritage List on the basis of existing cultural criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi)

    The property now includes the following tombs or tomb groups:

    ID No. Tomb(s) Province Inscribed Area (ha) Buffer Zone (ha)
    001 Xianling Tomb Hubei 2000 87.6 226.4
    002 Eastern Qing Tombs Hebei 2000 224 7,800
    003 Western Qing Tombs Hebei 2000 1,842 4,758
    Subtotal, 2000 2,153.6 12,784.4
    004 Ming Tombs Changping Dist., Beijing 2003 823 8,100.0
    Xiaoling Tombs
    005 Xiaoling Tomb Jiangsu 2003 116 180
    006 Tomb of Chang Yuchun Jiangsu 2003 0.98
    007 Tomb of Qiu Cheng Jiangsu 2003 0.55
    008 Tomb of Wu Liang Jiangsu 2003 0.40
    009 Tomb of Wu Zhen Jiangsu 2003 0.35
    010 Tomb of Xu Da Jiangsu 2003 0.85
    011 Tomb of Li Wenzhong Jiangsu 2003 0.87
    Subtotal, 2003 943.00 8,280.0
    TOTAL 3,096.60 21,064.4

  2. Recognizing the existing conservation management programmes of the property;,

  3. Encourages the State Party to enforce maintenance and conservation in the areas of the Ming Tombs in Beijing where tourism and development pressures are increasing.


27 COM 8C.40               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Approves the extension of the Historic District of Panamá, with the Salón Bolivar, Panama, on the World Heritage List to include the Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo under the existing cultural criteria (ii), (iv) and (vi);

    Name Date
    Inscribed
    Area (ha) Buffer (ha)
    Historic District of Panamá, with the Salón Bolivar 1997 29.4 not given
    Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo 2003 28.0 85.0
    TOTAL 57.4

  2. Approves the proposed name change to the "Archaeological Site of Panamá Viejo and the Historic District of Panamá," with the agreement of the State Party.


27 COM 8C.41               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes the Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaíso, Chile, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criterion (iii):

    Criterion (iii): Valparaíso is an exceptional testimony to the early phase of globalisation in the late 19th century, when it became the leading merchant port on the sea routes of the Pacific coast of South America.

  2. Encourages the State Party to continue its efforts to inventory and protect the infrastructure related to the historic functions of the harbour area and transport systems;

  3. Further encourages the State Party to develop conservation management plans in the entire maritime port area;

  4. Requests the State Party to clarify with more precision the norms and guidelines in areas that are adjacent to the protected zones, e.g. Plaza de Intendencia, Cementerio, and Plaza de San Francisco.


27 COM 8C.42               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes Úbeda-Baeza: Urban duality, cultural unity, Spain, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (ii) and (iv):

    Criterion (ii): The 16th-century examples of architectural and urban design in Úbeda and Baeza were instrumental in introducing the Renaissance ideas to Spain. Through the publications of Andréa Vandelvira, the principal project architect, these examples were also diffused to Latin America.

    Criterion (iv): The central areas of Úbeda and Baeza constitute outstanding early examples of Renaissance civic architecture and urban planning in Spain in the early 16th century.

    Name Area
    (ha)
    Buffer
    zone (ha)
    Coordinates
    Baeza 4.8 85.4 N37 59 47.0 W3 27 59.5
    Úbeda 4.2 90.3 N38 00 40.7 W3 22 16.4
    TOTAL 9.0 175.7

  2. Encourages the State Party to continue its efforts to improve the management of these historic towns, giving particular attention to the conservative rehabilitation of the historic fabric in the proposed buffer zone;

  3. Considers, that, with the agreement of the State Party, and taking into account the revised limits of the property, the name of the property, should be the "Renaissance Monumental Ensembles of Úbeda and Baeza," as originally presented.


27 COM 8C.43               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes the Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi):

    Criterion (i): The Buddha statues and the cave art in Bamiyan Valley are an outstanding representation of the Gandharan Sschool in Buddhist art in the Central Asian region.

    Criterion (ii): The artistic and architectural remains of Bamiyan Valley, and an important Buddhist centre on the Silk Road, are an exceptional testimony to the interchange of Indian, Hellenistic, Roman, Sasanian influences as the basis for the development of a particular artistic expression in the Gandharan Sschool. To this can be added the Islamic influence in a later period.

    Criterion (iii): The Bamiyan Valley bears an exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition in the Central Asian region, which has disappeared.

    Criterion (iv): The Bamiyan Valley is an outstanding example of a cultural landscape which illustrates a significant period in Buddhism.

    Criterion (vi): The Bamiyan Valley is the most monumental expression of the western Buddhism. It was an important centre of pilgrimage over many centuries. Due to their symbolic values, the monuments have suffered at different times of their existence, including the deliberate destruction in 2001, which shook the whole world.

    The serial property contains the following elements:

    Name Area (ha) Buffer Zone (ha)
    Bamiyan Cliff including niches of the 38 meter Buddha,
    seated Buddhas, 55 meter Buddha and surrounding caves
    105.00 225.25
    Kakrak Valley caves including the niche of the standing Buddha 15.00 33.00
    Qoul-I Akram Caves in the Fuladi Valley 6.00 40.50
    Kalai Ghamai Caves in the Fuladi Valley 5.50
    Shahr-i-Zuhak 18.00 13.00
    Qallay Kaphari A 0.0625 17.00
    Qallay Kaphari B 0.0640
    Shahr-i-Ghulghulah 9.30 13.20
    TOTAL 158.9265 341.95

  2. Recommends that the State Party make every effort to guarantee an adequate legal framework for the protection and conservation of the Bamiyan Valley;

  3. Further urges the international community and various organizations active in the field of heritage protection in the Bamiyan Valley to continue its co-operation and assistance to the Afghan authorities to enhance the conservation and protection of the property;

  4. Recognizing the significant and persisting danger posed by anti-personnel mines in various areas of the Bamiyan Valley and noting the request from the Afghan authorities that all cultural projects include funds for demining;

  5. Strongly encourages Member States, IGOs, NGOs, and other institutions to take this request into consideration when planning cultural heritage activities in the Bamiyan Valley, and to this end, appeals for financial and technical assistance for de- mining activities in the Vvalley;

  6. Requests the Director-General of UNESCO to continue his efforts to effectively co-ordinate the various initiatives and activities benefitting the conservation process in the Bamiyan Valley, and in particular, ensure that the work of the World Heritage Committee and the Advisory Bodies are fully taken into account at the International Co-ordination Committee sessions and associated Working Groups;

  7. Requests the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to assist the Afghan authorities, in close co-operation with the UNESCO Kabul Office and the Division offor Cultural Heritage, to elaborate a comprehensive and effective management plan for the Bamiyan Valley;

  8. Requests a report on the state of conservation of the Bamiyan Valley to be submitted by the State Party with assistance from the World Heritage Centre, UNESCO Kabul and the Division of Cultural Heritage by 1 February 2004 for examination at the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2004.


27 COM 8C.44               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides to inscribe to the Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley, Afghanistan, on the List of World Heritage in Danger.


27 COM 8C.45               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Inscribes Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat), Iraq, on the World Heritage List on the basis of cultural criteria (iii) and (iv):

    Criterion (iii): Founded in the 3rd millennium BCE, the most important role of Ashur was from the 14th to 9th century BCE when it was the first capital of the Assyrian empire. Ashur was also the religious capital of Assyrians, and the place for crowning and burial of its kings;.

    Criterion (iv): The excavated remains of the public and residential buildings of Ashur provide an outstanding record of the evolution of building practice from the Sumerian and Akkadian period through the Assyrian Eempire, as well as including the short revival during the Parthian period;.

  2. Requests the Iraqi authorities to provide the Environmental Impact Assessment and original feasibility study;

  3. Considering the costs of remedial measures already proposed by the Engineering Report;

  4. Considering the pause in construction activity occasioned by the war;

  5. Taking into consideration that the original proposal for the dam, while necessary, may not have been planned with consideration of all aspects of the problem;

  6. Requests the Centre and ICOMOS to continue assisting the responsible Iraqi authorities in the definition of possible alternative locations for the dam and the most appropriate protection measures for the property, including a comprehensive management plan;

  7. Invites UNESCO, should the dam project be resumed, to launch an appeal to the international community and archaeological missions to help the Iraqi Department of Antiquities in conducting rescue excavations and documentation in the area affected by the future reservoir.


27 COM 8C.46               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides to inscribe Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat), Iraq, on the List of World Heritage in Danger.


27 COM 8C.47               With regard to The First Railway Bridge over the Yenisei River, Russian Federation, the World Heritage Committee,

  1. Considers that the conditions required by paragraph 67 of the Operational Guidelines concerning "damage from disaster caused by natural events or human activities" have not been fully met;

  2. Decides not to inscribe The First Railway Bridge over the Yenisei River, Russian Federation, on the World Heritage List on an emergency basis;

  3. Encourages the State Party to resubmit the nomination in accordance with normal procedures for nomination.


9        IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE GLOBAL TRAINING STRATEGY
          Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/9
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.9

27 COM 9               The World Heritage Committee, 65

  1. Defers examination of documents WHC-03/27.COM/9 and WHC-03/27.COM/INF.9 to the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2004.


10       REVISION OF THE OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
          Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/10

27 COM 10               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Requests States Parties to the World Heritage Convention to provide final written comments on the revised Operational Guidelines presented in document WHC.03/27.COM/10 to the World Heritage Centre by 15 October 2003;

  2. Further requests the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to review the written comments from States Parties, verifying that they comply with the decisions of the Committee, in particular Decision 6 EXT COM 5.1 and Technical Annex, and integrate them into the revised Operational Guidelines in English and French;

  3. Requests the Chairperson of the 27th session of the World Heritage Committee to approve the final text of the revised Operational Guidelines on its behalf;

  4. Decides that the revised Operational Guidelines will come into effect on 1 March 2004, at which time the World Heritage Centre will inform all States Parties and distribute the final text.


11       EXAMINATION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE FUND AND APPROVAL OF THE RELATED BUDGET FOR 2004-2005
          Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/11
WHC-03/27.COM/11 ADD

27 COM 11.1               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Emphasizing the flagship status of the World Heritage Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972) highlighted in the Medium-Term Strategy 32 C/4 document and the public recognition of the value of the Convention;

  2. Conscious that, whereas a real increase in UNESCO's budget is proposed to the next General Conference by the 166th Executive Board, there will be a significant reduction in the budget of the World Heritage Fund for technical reasons;

  3. Welcomes the recommendation of the Executive Board to the General Conference of UNESCO to consider an increase in the resources for the promotion and implementation of the Convention; 66

  4. Invites the Director-General to recommend to the General Conference an increased provision to fully compensate for the impact of the budget reduction and provide for an overall real increase in the resources for the Convention.


27 COM 11.2               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having considered the 2004-2005 budget of the World Heritage Fund, its estimated income and proposed expenditure;

  2. Decides that the Contingency Reserve be consolidated into the budget as from 31 December 2003;

  3. Approves a total expenditure of US$ 7,248,070 for the biennium 2004-2005 from the World Heritage Fund subject to the approval by the UNESCO General Conference of a budget totalling US$ 610 million for the same period;

  4. Approves the corresponding budget attached in Tables 1 to 3;

  5. Notes that the approved budget includes the following amounts for Regional Programmes:

    (i) Arab States: US$  80,000 - Decision 27 COM 20B.1
    (ii) Africa 2009: US$  200,000 - Decision 27 COM 20B.2
    (iii) Africa 2004-2005: US$  90,000 - Decision 27 COM 20B.2
    (iv) Asia 2003-2009: US$  100,000 - Decision 27 COM 20B.3
    (v) Pacific 2009: US$  100,000 - Decision 27 COM 20B.4
    (vi) Europe and North America: (to be proposed in 2005) US$  20,000
    (vii) Latin America: (to be proposed in 2004) US$  100,000
    (viii) Caribbean 4-14: US$  70,000 - Decision 27 COM 20B.5
    Total US$  760,000

  6. Decides that the overall budget expenditure will be adjusted pro rata should a budget other than US$ 610 million be adopted by the UNESCO General Conference.


27 COM 11.3               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Urges States Parties in arrears to pay their overdue contributions to the World Heritage Fund;

  2. Invites the Director-General to report to it on this matter;

  3. Further invites the Director-General to encourage States Parties to supplement their contributions to the World Heritage Fund with voluntary donations;

  4. Encourages the World Heritage Centre to develop bilateral agreements with States Parties as well as partnerships with multilateral organisations, the private sector and other actors with a view to securing additional resources for the following priorities:

    1. Reinforcement of the staff of the World Heritage Centre,
    2. Emergency International Assistance,
    3. International Assistance to properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger,
    4. Other International Assistance to States Parties, with priority to Preparatory Assistance,
    5. Funds to ensure that the Advisory Bodies have sufficient resources to enable them fulfill their obligations under the Convention;

  5. Requests the Secretariat to report on the budget execution including all sources of financing at each World Heritage Committee session as part of its annual report.





Table 1 -OVERVIEW OF BUDGETED INCOME & EXPENDITURE FOR THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION
(DRAFT 32C/5 REAL GROWTH SCENARIO US$ 610M)

  CURRENT BIENNIUM
2002-2003
US$
NEXT BIENNIUM
2004-2005
US$
INCOME
WORLD HERITAGE FUND 8 046 411 6 803 155
- Contributions from States Parties 6 626 600 5 954 014
- Contributions, Gifts or Bequests from Others 107 745  
- Investment & Proprietary Income 356 066 338 541
- Other Resources 956 000 510 600
OTHER EXTRA-BUDGETARY* 9 233 074 12 573 827
- Personnel 1 432 000 2 699 000
- Activities 7 801 074 10 385 427
UNESCO REGULAR BUDGET (C5)** 5 872 400 7 640 700
- Personnel 4 803 500 5 531 800
- Activities 1 068 900 2 108 900
TOTAL 23 151 885 27 017 682
EXPENDITURE***
Main Line of Action 1
Support to the World Heritage Governing bodies
2 769 000 3 993 647
Main Line of Action 2
Protection of the World Heritage
26 075 311 23 468 950
TOTAL 28 844 311 27 462 597

* Representing Committed Funds
** Subject to approval by UNESCO General Conference
*** The 2002-2003 figures have been determined on the basis of the chapters of the approved budgets




Table 2 -OVERVIEW OF WORLD HERITAGE FUND EXPECTED FLOW
(DRAFT 32C/5 REAL GROWTH SCENARIO US$ 610 M)

  CURRENT BIENNIUM
2002-2003
US$
NEXT BIENNIUM
2004-2005
US$
OPENING RESERVE BALANCE 3 791 204 973 870
- Contingency reserve 2 000 000 0
- Operating reserve 1 791 204 973 870
INCOME 8 046 411 6 803 155
EXPENDITURE 10 863 745 7 248 070
CLOSING RESERVE BALANCE 973 870 528 955
- Contingency reserve 1 500 000 0
- Operating reserve -526 130 528 955




Table 3 -GENERAL OVERVIEW
OF THE 2004-2005 PROGRAMME AND BUDGET FOR THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION (DRAFT 32C/5 REAL GROWTH SCENARIO US$ 610 M)

  World Heritage Fund
US$
Other Extra-budgetary
US$ (1)
UNESCO (Regular Budget)
US$
Total
US$
Main Line of Action 1
Support to the World Heritage Governing Bodies
       
1.1. Organisation of meetings 405 820 20 000 400 000 825 820
1.2. Studies and Evaluations 90 000 0 90 000 180 000
1.3. Information Management 100 000 313 827 250 000 663 827
1.4. Personnel costs 0 536 000 1 528 000 2 064 000
1.5. General Operating Expenses 0 0 260 000 260 000
TOTAL 595 820 869 827 2 528 000 3 993 647
Main Line of Action 2
Protection of the World Heritage
       
2.1. Credibility of World Heritage List 2 071 650 1 570 000 482 000 4 123 650
2.2. Conservation of World Heritage Properties 2 730 000 5 411 000 190 000 8 331 000
2.3. Capacity-Building in State Parties 1 030 000 2 410 000 80 000 3 520 000
2.4. Public Awareness, Involvement & Support for World Heritage through Communication 820 600 150 000 307 000 1 277 600
2.5. Personnel costs 0 2 163 000 4 003 800 6 166 800
2.6. General Operating Expenses 0 0 49 900 49 900
TOTAL 6 652 250 11 704 000 5 112 700 23 468 950
GRAND TOTAL 7 248 070 12 573 827 7 640 700 27 462 597
(1) Figures are indicative and include confirmed contributions as well as projected sums based on past patterns.



12       INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE
          Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/12
WHC-03/27.COM/12.Corr


PREPARATORY ASSISTANCE

MIXED PROPERTIES

Hungary: Organisation of a workshop for the managers of World Heritage sites in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe

27 COM 12.1               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides to approve US$ 15,000 from 2003 funds.


Kenya: Second International Experts Meeting on Great Rift Valley
27 COM 12.2               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides, whilst acknowledging the importance of this initiative, not to approve US$ 50,000 from 2003 funds, and to postpone the examination of the request until the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2004.


TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION

CULTURAL PROPERTIES


India: Group of Monuments at Hampi
Elaboration of a management plan

27 COM 12.3               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides to approve US$ 75,000, of which US$ 28,250 from 2003 funds and US$ 46,750 from 2004 funds.


Yemen: Historic Town of Zabid
Follow-up actions for the implementation of safeguarding measures

27 COM 12.4               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides to approve US$ 40,000 from 2003 funds.


TRAINING

CULTURAL PROPERTIES


Kazakhstan: Sub-regional Workshop for follow-up to the Periodic Reports on the implementation of the World Heritage Convention and the State of Conservation of World Cultural Heritage properties in Central Asia

27 COM 12.5               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides to approve US$ 35,000 from 2003 funds under the Technical Co-operation budget, the Training budget for cultural heritage being exhausted;

  2. Recommends that the State Party and the World Heritage Centre organise the workshop as a sub-regional workshop for Central Asian World Cultural Heritage to follow-up on the Periodic Reporting Exercise and the recommendations of the World Heritage Committee (27th session June/July 2003), and within the framework of the Programme Central Asian Earth (2002-2012), including training in conservation methodology within the workshop and subject to verification that the activities foreseen do not duplicate those foreseen for the request from Uzbekistan (see below), and that the timing of the two workshops is complementary.


Uzbekistan: Sub-regional Workshop for the elaboration of a specific programme for the first 3 years of the Central Asian Earth 2002-2012 Programme combined with an on-the- job practical training activity in Khiva.

27 COM 12.6               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides to approve US$ 50,000 from 2003 funds under the Technical Co-operation budget, the Training budget for cultural heritage being exhausted. Approval is subject to verification that the activities foreseen do not duplicate those foreseen for the request from Kazakhstan (see above), that the timing of the two workshops is complementaryare supplementary, and that they are organised within the framework of the Programme Central Asian Earth (2002-2012).


Bangladesh: Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur
Conservation training and organization of a workshop to elaborate a management plan

27 COM 12.7               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides to approve US$ 35,000 from 2003 funds under the Technical Co-operation budget, the Training budget for cultural heritage being exhausted. Approval is subject to the request being reformulated with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to meet the priority needs of the property. The final reformulated workplan and budget breakdown will be approved by the Chairperson.


NATURAL PROPERTIES


Oman: Arabian Oryx Sanctuary
Capacity-building for the staff and rangers to manage the property

27 COM 12.8               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides to approve US$ 40,000 from 2003 funds.


EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

CULTURAL PROPERTIES


Iraq: Ashur (Qala'at at Sherqat)
Emergency assistance for the establishment of a site management coordination unit and the development of a management plan

27 COM 12.9               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides to approve US$ 50,000 from 2003 funds.


13       IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL STRATEGY
          Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/13
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.13

27 COM 13.1               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Noting the Regional Progress Reports (2002-2003) and Action Plans 2004-2005 for the Global Strategy presented in document WHC-03/27.COM/1,3;

  2. Requests the World Heritage Centre, working in collaboration with the Advisory Bodies and States Parties to the World Heritage Convention to continue to implement the Global Strategy as a contribution to strengthening the credibility of the World Heritage List;

  3. Further requests the World Heritage Centre to prepare summaries and assessments of the results of the Global Strategy meetings and the thematic studies.


27 COM 13.2               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Taking note of the information provided by the World Heritage Centre in WHC-03/27.COM/13 and WHC- 03/27.COM/INF.13 on the initiative of five Andean States Parties to collaborate in the process of nominating the Qhapac Nan - Camino Inca road system for inscription on the World Heritage List;

  2. Considering the results of the consultation meeting with the Permanent Delegations to UNESCO (29th January 2003 at UNESCO Headquarters), and the documents adopted at the first sub- regional technical meeting held in Lima, Peru, on 1 and 2 April 2003;

  3. Welcoming the wishdesire of the States Parties to develop multi-national co-operation for a joint World Heritage nomination and to respond to priorities established by the World Heritage Committee in the context of the Global Strategy for a Representative World Heritage List and the Committee's Budapest Declaration;

  4. Encourages the States Parties concerned to include in their Tentative Lists properties related to Qhapac Nan - Camino Inca situated on their territories;

  5. Requests the World Heritage Centre to establish a consultation mechanism with the Permanent Delegations of the States Parties concerned. This should ensure the proper coordination and follow-up of actions and international assistance on the sub-regional level, and national level as appropriate, that will be required to implement successfully the process of nomination of the Qhapac Nan - Camino Inca for inscription on the World Heritage List;

  6. Requests the World Heritage Centre, in consultation and coordination with the Permanent Delegations of the States Parties concerned and in co-operation with the relevant UNESCO offices in the region, to ensure the proper coordination of the World Heritage inscription initiative with other relevant programmes, projects and activities, such as the Inter- Development Bank (IDB) Technical Co-operation project and the IUCN protected areas project;

  7. Requests the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to collaborate with the States Parties concerned in the implementation of the recommendations of the first sub-regional technical meeting held in Lima, Peru, and in seeking extra- budgetary contributions from relevant donor and financing institutions;

  8. Authorizes the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to organize a scientific meeting on the Qhapac Nan - Camino Inca as recommended by the delegates at the meeting in Lima in April 2003. This meeting should take place in Peru in the second half of 2003;

  9. Requests that the World Heritage Centre inform the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004 on the progress made in the implementation of this initiative.


27 COM 13.3               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Noting with concern the continuing disparities between regions and States Parties in their capacity to prepare Tentative Lists and nominations of properties for inscription on the World Heritage List;

  2. Noting the progress made in the analyses of the World Heritage List being undertaken by ICOMOS and IUCN for submission to the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2004;

  3. Recognizing the progress in the preparation of studies to promote the revision of national tentative lists through regional consultations and the periodic reporting exercise;

  4. Recommends that States Parties link the revision of their Tentative Lists to the Periodic Report;

  5. Invites the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to reinforce the links between the first Strategic Objective (1st C - reinforce the Credibility of the World Heritage List), the "Global Strategy for a representative, balanced and credible World Heritage List", the Periodic Report on the implementation of the Convention and the Regional Programmes;

  6. Bearing in mind Articles 11 and 12 of the Convention, considers that the status of the tentative lists should be enhanced so that the inclusion of properties on this list would already entail, for the State Party, a form of international recognition;

  7. Recalling the spirit of the Resolution of the 12th General Assembly of States Parties in 1999, notably in encouraging bilateral and multilateral co-operation for the benefit of States Parties whose heritage is under-represented in the List; and to promote their capacity-building and training;

  8. Invites States Parties whose heritage is well represented on the List to voluntarily space new nominations and to assist the under-represented States Parties requiring technical co-operation to enhance conditions for the preparation and updating of Tentative Lists and the nomination of their cultural and natural heritage;

  9. Recalling its decision 26 COM 13 regarding the analyses of the World Heritage List and the Tentative Lists and the presentation of the results of these analyses at the 28th session in 2004;

  10. Requests the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to support the States Parties:

    1. implementation of the Global Strategy for a credible, balanced and representative World Heritage List and Tentative Lists, and

    2. elaboration of practical and operational actions within the Regional Programmes to enhance the representivity of the World Heritage List in view of the world's cultural and natural diversity, as part of the implementation of the Strategic Objective to strengthen the credibility of the World Heritage List.


14       EVALUATION OF THE CAIRNS DECISION 67
          Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/14

27 COM 14               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides to retain the limit of one new and complete nomination per State Party with properties already on the World Heritage List, as the best means of managing the workload of the Committee, the Advisory Bodies, and the World Heritage Centre, and of improving the geographic distribution of properties on the World Heritage List; States Parties that have no properties inscribed on the World Heritage List will have the opportunity to nominate two or three properties;

  2. Decides to continue to exempt from this limit transboundary and emergency nominations, changes to the boundaries of properties already inscribed, as well as those nominations which have been deferred and referred by previous sessions of the Committee;

  3. Invites States Parties nominating properties to keep in mind the desirability of achieving a reasonable balance between the numbers of cultural heritage and natural heritage properties included in the World Heritage List (Paragraph 15 of the Operational Guidelines, July 2002);

  4. Decides to set at 40 the annual limit on the number of new nominations it will review, exclusive of nominations deferred and referred by previous sessions of the Committee, changes to the boundaries of properties already inscribed, transboundary nominations and nominations submitted on an emergency basis;

  5. Decides to maintain the deadline for the receipt of complete nominations as 1 February and encourages States Parties to submit draft nominations by 30 September to ensure that nominations have the maximum opportunity of being complete on 1 February (Decision 6 EXT.COM 5.1 Annex 3.9);

  6. Requests States Parties to send comments and proposals on the Cairns Decision to the World Heritage Centre by 31 December 2003. Comments, sent by post, by facsimile to +33 (0)1 4568 5570, or by e-mail to cairns@unesco.org, will be made available on the World Heritage web site at the following address: http://whc.unesco.org/cairns/;

  7. Decides to establish, at the beginning of the 28th session of the Committee in Suzhou, China (2004), an open- ended working group to review the comments of States Parties, documents (including the results of the Advisory Bodies' analyses of the World Heritage List and Tentative Lists, and the Report of the 1999/2000 working group on the Representativity of the World Heritage List) and statistics relative to the operation of the Cairns Decision, and to make recommendations to the Committee. For this purpose, the World Heritage Centre will distribute the necessary documentation as early as possible prior to the 28th session to be held in 2004.


15       WAYS AND MEANS TO REINFORCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION
          Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/15
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.15

27 COM 15               The World Heritage Committee, 68

  1. Takes note of document WHC-03/27.COM/15
.


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)
          Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/16

27 COM 16               The World Heritage Committee, 69

  1. Takes note of document WHC-03/27.COM/16.


17       THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE AND UNESCO
          Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/17

27 COM 17                The World Heritage Committee,70

  1. Takes note of document WHC-03/27.COM/17.


18         PREPARATION FOR THE 14TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF STATES PARTIES TO THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION

18A       NEW VOTING MECHANISM AND REVISION TO THE PROCEDURES FOR THE ELECTION OF THE MEMBERS OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE
            Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/18A

27 COM 18A.1               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Recalling the Resolution adopted by the 13th General Assembly (Paris, October 2001) on the "Implementation of the election procedures of the Bureau of the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage",
  2. Welcomes the following steps to be taken by the Secretariat for the implementation of this Resolution:

    1. The World Heritage Centre will send, during the month of July 2003, a Circular Letter to all States Parties informing them of the Officers to be elected during the 14th General Assembly (i.e. Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons and Rapporteur) and inviting them to inform the Secretariat of their candidatures. The Secretariat will also provide all States Parties with a list of all Chairpersons, Vice-Chairpersons and Rapporteurs of the General Assembly since 1991.

    2. Another Circular Letter will be sent to all States Parties a month before the 14th session of the General Assembly (Paris, 14-15 October 2003) informing them of all candidatures received. The list of all candidatures received will continue to be updated up to 48 hours prior to the commencement of the 14th General Assembly.


27 COM 18A.2               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Recalling the aim of the Resolution adopted by the 13th General Assembly (Paris, October 2001) - (on election procedures of the Officers of the General Assembly -) to grant greater transparency and regional representativity to this election process;

  2. Recognising that this approach should also be applied to the procedures for the election of members to the World Heritage Committee as this would further facilitate the consultation process amongst States Parties;

  3. Recommends to the General Assembly that it include the following Rule in its Rules of Procedure:

    The Secretariat shall ask all States Parties, at least three months prior to the opening of the General Assembly, whether they intend to stand for election to the World Heritage Committee. If so, its candidature should be sent to the Secretariat at least six weeks prior to the opening of the General Assembly.

    At least four weeks prior to the opening of the General Assembly the Secretariat shall send to all States Parties the provisional list of States Parties candidates. The Secretariat will also provide information on the status of all compulsory and voluntary contributions to the World Heritage Fund made by each of the candidates. This list of candidatures will be revised, as necessary, based on the evolution of the candidatures and of the payments received.

    This list of candidatures shall be finalised 48 hours before the beginning of the election. No other candidatures nor payments of compulsory and voluntary contributions to the World Heritage Fund (for the purpose of presenting a candidature to the Committee) will be accepted after this time. 71


27 COM 18A.3               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Taking into consideration Rule 13.1 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention which calls on the World Heritage Committee to decide, at its session preceding the General Assembly, on the number of seats to be reserved for States Parties who do not have properties on the World Heritage List;

  2. Allocates one seat amongst the seats that have to be filled at the 14th General Assembly (Paris, October 2003) to a State Party who does not have any properties on the World Heritage List;

  3. Requests the World Heritage Centre to provide all States Parties, immediately following the 27th session of the Committee, with an up-to-date list of all States Parties who do not have properties on the World Heritage List.


27 COM 18A.4               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the proposal made by the UNESCO Secretariat for a more simplified voting system for the election of members of the World Heritage Committee during the General Assembly;

  2. Decides not to recommend to the General Assembly any amendments to Rule 13 of its Rules of Procedure on the election of members of the World Heritage Committee.


18B      REPORT OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE TO BE PRESENTED TO THE 32ND SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF UNESCO (29 September- 17 October NOVEMBER 2003)
           Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/18B

27 COM 18B               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Taking into consideration the information provided in document WHC-03/27.COM/18B as well as in the documents on the relationship between the World Heritage Committee and UNESCO (WHC-03/27.COM/17) and the Progress Report on the 31 C/4 and the draft 32 C/5 (WHC-03/27.COM/16);

  2. Considering that this Report will be transmitted to the 32nd session of the General Conference (29 September - 17 October 2003) for its information;

  3. Takes note of the Report and invites the World Heritage Centre to transmit this Report to the Secretariat of the General Conference.


19       PERFORMANCE INDICATORS TO ASSESS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2002 WORLD HERITAGE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES (CREDIBILITY, CONSERVATION, CAPACITY-BUILDING AND COMMUNICATION)
           Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/19

27 COM 19               The World Heritage Committee, 72

  1. Defers examination of document WHC-03/27.COM/19 to the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2004.


20       TOOLS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2002 WORLD HERITAGE STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
           Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/20A and INF.20A
WHC-03/27.COM/20B
and INF.20B
WHC-03/27.COM/20C
and INF.20C
WHC-03/27.COM/6B
and 6A Rev


20A     PRINCIPLES FOR WORLD HERITAGE
           Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/20A
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.20A

27 COM 20A.1               The World Heritage Committee, 73

  1. Takes note of document WHC-03/27.COM/20A.1.


20B     WORLD HERITAGE PROGRAMMES
           Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/20B
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.20B

27 COM 20B.1               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Recalling Document WHC-2000/CONF.204/7, that summarises the results of the Periodic Reporting Exercise for the Arab Region;

  2. Approves the Regional Programme for the Arab Region, contained in Document WHC-03/27..COM/INF.20B;

  3. Recommends that the Assistance Modules and the proposed projects be further designed in collaboration with the Advisory Bodies and the competent national and regional partners;

  4. Encourages the States Parties of the Arab Region, in conformity with the regional Programme strategy, to develop in close collaboration with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, national programmes for its implementation;

  5. Decides to allocate US$ 80,000 for 2004-2005 from the World Heritage Fund as seed money to launch the Programme and encourages the World Heritage Centre to seek extrabudgetary funds for the implementation of the proposed programme activities;

  6. Requests the Secretariat to prepare a report for the 31st session of the Committee in 2007, on progress achieved in the Regional Programme for the Arab States.


27 COM 20B.2               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Recalling the positive results of Module 1 (Africa 2009) obtained in strengthening institutional capacities in the Africa Region, and its contribution to improved awareness and understanding among the African Cultural Heritage experts on the values and on strategies for heritage protection;

  2. Further recalling its satisfaction with the synthesis Periodic Report which gives direction for future World Heritage activities in Africa (see Document WHC-02/CONF.202/16);

  3. Noting the training experience of Africa 2009 and its potential for the development of other World Heritage programmes;

  4. Bearing in mind that the proposed Africa Regional Programme is an initial programme aimed at launching a larger and a longer-term programme for Africa, and giving priority to the recommendations of the Periodic Reporting exercise;

  5. Underlining the need to reinforce the long-term capacity-building programmes provided by Mweka and Garoua African Collegess of Wildlife management for protected area managers including the managers of the World Natural Heritage sites, through short and targeted practical training;

  6. Concerned about the impact of human activities including armed conflict that have affected the conservation and protection activities in African Natural World Heritage properties;

  7. Approves Module 1 (Africa 2009) programme activities for the biennium 2004-2005 as described in documents WHC-03/27.COM/6B and WHC-03/27..COM/INF.20B, and the funding request of US$ 200 000 submitted by ICCROM;

  8. Further approves the proposed Module 2 & 3 of the Regional Programme for Africa, and the activities for 2004-2005 as presented in Committee documents WHC-03/27COM/.INF.20C, summarized in WHC-03/.27.COM/6B and in WHC-03/27.COM/20B;

  9. Decides to allocate US$ 90,000 for the biennium as seed funds to launch the Module 2 & 3 of the Regional Programme for Africa as presented by the World Heritage Centre to complement the on-going Module 1 (Africa 2009);

  10. Requests the World Heritage Centre to prepare a progress report on the Regional Programme for Africa to be presented to the 31st session of the World Heritage Committee in 2007.


27 COM 20B.3               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Congratulates the Asian States Parties, the Advisory Bodies and the Secretariat for the excellent quality of the Synthesis Regional Periodic Report (see Document WHC-03/27.COM/6A Rev);

  2. Notes with appreciation the increasing interest in heritage conservation among the Asian States Parties;

  3. Expresses concern, however, on the continued loss of heritage caused by uncontrolled development, in particular urban encroachment, mass tourism and inappropriate public infrastructure projects;

  4. Takes note of the recommendations and priority action plans elaborated by the States Parties as indicated in the Synthesis Regional Periodic Report;

  5. Requests the States Parties concerned and the World Heritage Centre to follow-up on the recommendations and to mobilise national resources and international technical and financial co-operation for their implementation;

  6. Decides to allocate an amount of US$ 100,000 for the 2004-2005 biennium to launch the "ActionAsia 2003-2009 Programme".


27 COM 20B.4               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Noting with satisfaction that almost all Pacific Island countries have now joined the World Heritage Convention;

  2. Acknowledging the needs identified by Pacific Island States Parties in the Periodic Reports summarized in WHC-03/27.COM/6A Rev.;

  3. Requests the World Heritage Centre to begin consultations, planning and the first phase of implementation of a new sub-regional Programme called WORLD HERITAGE - PACIFIC 2009;

  4. Decides to allocate US$100,000 in 2004- 2005 from the World Heritage Fund for the development of the new sub-regional Programme called WORLD HERITAGE - PACIFIC 2009 (see WHC-03/27.COM/11);

  5. Requests the Secretariat to prepare a report on the Regional Programme for the Pacific to be presented to the 31st session of the World Heritage Committee in 2007.


27 COM 20B.5               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Recalling the recommendations made at the important Regional Training Course on the Implementation of the Convention and its Role in Sustainable Development and Tourism in the Caribbean, that took place in Dominica (September-October 2001) as part of the Global Strategy Action Plan for the Caribbean and was reported to the Committee at its 25th session in Helsinki in 2001 (see WHC-01/CONF.208/11),

  2. Having taken note of the recommendations made at the Thematic Expert Meeting on Wooden Urban Heritage, which took place in Georgetown, Guyana from 4 to 7 February 2003 as part of the Global Strategy Action Plan for the Caribbean, and taking into account the results of the Periodic Reporting Exercise for the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Region that took place from 17 to 19 July in Port-au-Prince, Haiti,

  3. Bearing in mind that that this programme for 2003-2004 is only an initial programme for launching a larger, more integrated and comprehensive programme for the Caribbean sub-region in June 2004,

  4. Requests the World Heritage Centre to follow-up on the recommendations and to identify suitable (sub-) regional, regional and international partners for technical and financial co-operation for the implementation of the proposed programme;

  5. Decides to allocate an amount of US$70,000 for the 2004-2005 biennium as seed funds to design the "Caribbean Capacity-Building Programme for cultural and natural heritage 2004 - 2014" to follow-up on the recommendations resulting from the Latin America and the Caribbean Periodic Reporting exercise, scheduled to be completed for examination by the World Heritage Committe at its 28th session in June 2004.


27 COM 20B.6               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Acknowledging the limited financial resources available for the implementation of Regional and Thematic Programmes,

  2. Encourages the World Heritage Centre to make full use of the existing networks of the Advisory Bodies in the design and implementation of Thematic Programmes, so as to ensure exchange of information and experience;

  3. Recommends to coordinate Thematic Programmes, in terms of design, methodology and planning of implementation, with existing and planned work, such as the efforts currently being carried out in the framework of the forthcoming World Parks' Congress (Durban, South Africa, September 2003), and with the programmatic activities of the Advisory Bodies;

  4. Proposes that Regional and Thematic Programmes be structured along the four Strategic Objectives decided by the Committee at its 26th session in Budapest in 2002, namely Credibility, Conservation, Capacity-building and Communication, so as to foster coherence in the conception, follow-up and evaluation of the programmes;

  5. Further recommends to ensure linkages between the Global Training Strategy and other World Heritage policy frameworks, such as Regional and Thematic Programmes;

  6. Requests the World Heritage Centre to establish performance indicators (as in WHC-03/27.COM/INF.20A) to measure the effectiveness of the Regional and Thematic Programmes, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004.

  7. Further requests the World Heritage Centre to present an evaluation of these Programmes according to these performance indicators to the World Heritage Committee at its 31st session in 2007;

  8. Invites all States Parties, funding institutions, civilc organizations and the private sector to contribute and to assist the World Heritage Centre in mobilizing matching funds to enable the implementation of all the proposed programme activities for the biennium;

  9. Encourages all States Parties to continue to develop initiatives at all levels to promote dialogue with a view to fostering national and regional understanding for the protection of World Heritage.


20C     WORLD HERITAGE PARTNERSHIPS INITIATIVE:
            PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND PROGRESS REPORT

           Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/20C
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.20C

SECTION A      WORLD HERITAGE PARTNERSHIPS INITIATIVE

27 COM 20C.1               The World Heritage Committee, 74

  1. Defers examination of document WHC- 03/27.COM/20C - Section A to the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2004.


SECTION B      PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH THE NORDIC WORLD HERITAGE FOUNDATION (NWHF) AS A REGIONAL CENTRE UNDER THE AUSPICES OF UNESCO
           Document:  WHC-03/27.COM/20C

27 COM 20C.2               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Welcomes the Nordic World Heritage Foundation's partnership with UNESCO;

  2. Requests the World Heritage Centre to ensure the coordination of the activities of the Nordic World Heritage Foundation with those of the Committee;

  3. Agrees with the use of the World Heritage emblem by the Nordic World Heritage Foundation.


27 COM 20C.3               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Requests the World Heritage Centre to provide a yearly report on the authorized use of the emblem to the World Heritage Committee in accordance with the Operational Guidelines (Annex 3 "Guidelines and Principles for the Use of the World Heritage Emblem" July 2002).


21       PROVISIONAL AGENDA OF THE 28TH SESSION OF THE BUREAU OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE

See Decision 27 COM 2.


22       PROVISIONAL AGENDA OF THE 28TH SESSION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE
           Documents:  WHC-03/27.COM/22 Rev
WHC-03/27.COM/INF.20A

27 COM 22.1               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Taking into consideration the following invitations by Committee members to host the sessions of the World Heritage Committee in 2004 and 2005;

    1. For 2004 (in alphabetical order): China, Russian Federation and South Africa,

    2. For 2005 (in alphabetical order): Lebanon, Oman and United Kingdom;

  2. Decides that the venue of the 28th session of the Committee will be Suzhou, China.


27 COM 22.2               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Thanking the Chinese authorities for their kind invitation to host the 28th session of the Committee;

  2. Decides that the dates of the 28th session of the Committee shall be 28 June -7 July 2004. These dates will be confirmed following consultation between the World Heritage Centre and the Chinese authorities.


27 COM 22.3               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Adopts the Provisional Agenda for the 28th session of the World Heritage Committee as presented in document WHC-03/27.COM/22 Rev and with the amendments suggested by the Committee in its discussion (see Annex II).


23      OTHER BUSINESS
              The World Heritage Committee did not discuss any other business.


24      ADOPTION OF DECISIONS


27 COM 24               The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Adopts the decisions presented in WHC-03/27.COM/24 with amendments aswith amendments as agreed agreed.


25       CLOSURE OF THE SESSION

  1. The 27th session of the World Heritage Committee was closed on 5 July 2003 by the Chairperson, Ms Vera Lacoeuilhe (St. Lucia). She thanked the Committee for their work and paid tribute to the 8 members of the Committee for whom this was their last session (Belgium, Greece, Finland, Hungary, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Zimbabwe).

  2. The Chairperson made special mention of the co-operation of the Committee and the Observers, the exceptional work of the former and current Rapporteurs and of the Secretariat.

  3. The World Heritage Committee thanked the Chairperson for her skill and patience in leading what had been a memorable session.

  4. The Director of the World Heritage Centre thanked the Chairperson, the other members of the Committee and the staff of the Centre for their contributions to the session.

  5. Finally the new Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, H.E. Mr Zhang Xinsheng (China) addressed the Committee. He thanked the outgoing Chairperson Ms Vera Lacoeuilhe (St. Lucia), for her commitment and skill during the Committee session. He thanked South Africa for having agreed to defer its hosting of the Committee until 2005 and expressed his hope that the session in China would be a great success.

  6. Before closing the session and welcoming all participants to Suzhou, China in 2004, the new Chairperson referred to the collective responsibility required to meet the challenges in conserving World Heritage.



Annex I - List of Participants
Annex II
Index of Properties






NOTES

  1. See Decision 27 COM 2.
  2. Decision adopted without discussion
  3. Decision adopted without discussion
  4. Decision adopted without discussion
  5. Decision adopted without discussion
  6. Decision adopted without discussion
  7. Decision adopted without discussion
  8. Decision adopted without discussion
  9. Decision adopted without discussion
  10. Decision adopted without discussion
  11. Decision adopted without discussion
  12. Decision adopted without discussion
  13. Decision adopted following written amendments proposed by the State Party
  14. Decision adopted following written amendments proposed by the State Party
  15. Decision adopted without discussion
  16. Decision adopted without discussion
  17. Decision adopted without discussion
  18. Decision adopted without discussion
  19. Decision adopted without discussion
  20. Decision adopted without discussion
  21. Decision adopted following written amendment proposed by the State Party
  22. Decision adopted without discussion
  23. Decision adopted without discussion
  24. Decision adopted without discussion
  25. Decision adopted without discussion
  26. Decision adopted without discussion
  27. Decision adopted without discussion
  28. Decision adopted without discussion
  29. Decision adopted without discussion
  30. Decision adopted without discussion
  31. Decision adopted without discussion
  32. Decision adopted without discussion
  33. Decision adopted without discussion
  34. Decision adopted without discussion
  35. Decision adopted without discussion
  36. Decision adopted without discussion
  37. Decision adopted without discussion
  38. Decision adopted without discussion
  39. Decision adopted without discussion
  40. Decision adopted without discussion
  41. Decision adopted without discussion
  42. Decision adopted without discussion
  43. Decision adopted without discussion
  44. Decision adopted without discussion
  45. Decision adopted without discussion
  46. Decision adopted without discussion
  47. Decision adopted without discussion
  48. Decision adopted following written amendments proposed by the State Party
  49. Decision adopted following written amendment proposed by the State Party
  50. Decision adopted without discussion
  51. Decision adopted without discussion
  52. Decision adopted without discussion
  53. Decision adopted without discussion
  54. Decision adopted without discussion
  55. Decision adopted without discussion
  56. Decision adopted without discussion
  57. Decision adopted without discussion
  58. Decision adopted following written amendments proposed by the State Party
  59. Decision adopted without discussion
  60. Decision adopted without discussion
  61. Decision adopted without discussion
  62. Decision adopted without discussion
  63. Decision adopted without discussion
  64. « Compagnie Française d'Afrique Occidentale »
  65. See also Decision 27 COM 2
  66. 32 C/6: Recommendations by the Executive Board on the Draft Programme and Budget for 2004-2005
  67. See Decision 27 COM 2
  68. See also Decision 27 COM 2
  69. See also Decision 27 COM 2
  70. See also Decision 27 COM 2
  71. Rule based on Rules 1-3, Appendix 2 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Conference of UNESCO
  72. See also Decision 27 COM 2
  73. See also Decision 27 COM 2
  74. See also Decision 27 COM 2