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World Heritage |
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WHC-99/CONF.209/22 Paris, 2 March 2000 Original: English/French |
CULTURAL ORGANIZATION
WORLD CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE
WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE
Marrakesh, Morocco
29 November – 4 December 1999
REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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I. |
1 |
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II. |
2 |
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III. |
2 |
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IV. |
Reports of the Rapporteurs on the Sessions of the World Heritage Bureau |
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V. |
4 |
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VI. |
5 |
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VII. |
Follow-Up To The Work Of The Consultative Body Of The World Heritage Committee |
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VIII. |
7 |
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IX. |
Periodic Reporting: Regional Strategies For Periodic Reporting |
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X. |
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XI. |
Activities Concerning World Heritage Documentation, Information And Education |
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XII. |
40 |
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XIII. |
Revision Of The Operational Guidelines For The Implementation Of The World Heritage Convention |
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XIV. |
42 |
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XV. |
47 |
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XVI. |
53 |
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XVII. |
Date And Place Of The Twenty-Fourth Session Of The World Heritage Committee |
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XVIII. |
54 |
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XIX. |
54 |
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Annexes |
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I. |
57 |
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II. |
61 |
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III. |
Speech of the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura |
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IV. |
Declaration of the Youth from the Arab Region on World Heritage |
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81 |
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85 |
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VIII. |
87 |
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IX. |
Statement of the United States of America on Mining Activities |
111 |
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X. |
Provisional Agenda of the twenty-fourth session of the World Heritage Bureau |
113 |
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XI. |
115 |
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XII. |
117 |
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I.
OPENING SESSION
I.1 The twenty-third session of the World Heritage Committee was held in Marrakesh, Morocco, from 29 November to 4 December 1999. It was attended by all twenty-one members of the World Heritage Committee: Australia, Belgium, Benin, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Ecuador, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of South Africa, Thailand, and Zimbabwe.
I.2 The following States Parties to the Convention who are not members of the Committee were represented as observers: Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Cyprus, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Holy See, Indonesia, India, Israel, Japan, Lithuania, Mongolia, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
I.3 Representatives of the advisory bodies to the Committee, the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of the Cultural Property (ICCROM), the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) attended the meeting in an advisory capacity. The meeting was also attended by representatives and observers of the following international governmental organizations (IGOs), international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs): Arch Foundation, Association for the Safeguarding of the Kasbah of Algiers, Heritage Friends of Morocco (APM), High-Tech Visual Promotion Centre, International Council on Metals and the Environment (ICME), International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA), International Federation of Shingon Buddhism, International Foundation of Historical Heritage (Canada), International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Islamic Organization for Education, Science and Culture, (ISESCO), Nature Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Organization of the Arab League for Education, Science and Culture (ALECSO), Organization of World Heritage Cities (OWHC), Pro Esteros Mexico, UNEP/PAM Project, UN Foundation,. (The full List of Participants is attached as Annex II to this report).
I.4 The twenty–third session of the World Heritage Committee was opened by Mr Abdelaziz Touri, Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, who presented Mr Mohammed Achaari, Minister for Cultural Affairs of Morocco, to read the welcome message of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco (The Royal Letter is attached as Annex I to this report).
I.5 In His Message, the King welcomed the participants and expressed the pleasure of the Kingdom of Morocco in hosting the Committee meeting in the prestigious historical capital of Marrakesh. He emphasized the progress made in the preservation of cultural and natural heritage which he attributed to the overreaching agreement by countries of the same thinking, that of preserving local and national heritage, a heritage which belongs to humankind. He noted that the current Committee session was the last during this century, and its future activities would be affected by on-going changes taking place in the areas of communication and information. On the other hand, these changing conditions will provide opportunities to improve future actions to understand and to give greater depth to the notion of world cultural and historical heritage and the multiple aspects of human civilization.
I.6 His Majesty praised UNESCO for its leadership in the protection of the cultural and natural heritage. Referring to the Kingdom of Morocco, the King’s message said that since independence, the country has been deeply aware of the need for the preservation of its legacy. Through an initiative taken by the late King, His Majesty King Hassan II, Morocco has been working particularly with Moroccan and other experts, in the restoration of the Royal Palace of Fez. The Royal Letter concluded by expressing interest as regards the natural heritage and issues of the oral tradition, where man is inseparable from his environment, and that we have the responsibility to protect the verbally transmitted heritage that was greatly threatened. Reminding the participants of the responsibilities of humankind, His Majesty thanked UNESCO for deciding to propose the nomination of Jamaa Lafna Square in Marrakesh as oral heritage of humankind, an honour for Morocco. He noted with pleasure the presence of Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, and referred to his great competence and deep understanding of issues of global civilization. After congratulating Mr Matsuura on his election and having expressed confidence in his leadership of the Organization, the King wished the Committee success in its work and welcomed once again the participants to the City of Marrakesh.
I.7 At the invitation of the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, and in his first address to the World Heritage Committee in his capacity as the Director- General of UNESCO, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura, welcomed the participants to the twenty-third session of the World Heritage Committee. He transmitted his sincere gratitude to the Kingdom and the people of Morocco for their generosity and hospitality. Mr. Matsuura mentioned that, it had been several years since a meeting of the World Heritage Committee was held in an Arab country, and in this regard, he expressed his satisfaction that the meeting was being held in Morocco and in the beautiful City of Marrakesh.
I.8 Mr. Matsuura took the occasion to pay tribute to the late King Hassan II, whom he said brought to Morocco a policy of foresight and vision concerning the protection of cultural and natural heritage. He noted that it was indeed in 1980 when, with the assistance of UNESCO, the late King led the initiative to launch the international campaign for the protection of the Medina of Fez, which was followed by the inscription of Fez in the World Heritage List. Mr. Matsuura recalled that it was the late King Hassan II who facilitated the preservation of the assemblage of the world’s most important architecture, as well as the living traditional art.
I.9 Welcoming again the participants, Mr. Matsuura expressed his high esteem for the work of the World Heritage Committee of the 1972 Convention on the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage. He reminded the participants that the work of the Committee is among others, the tangible expression of international solidarity and co-operation embodied in the World Heritage Convention.
I.10 The Director-General informed the participants that there are currently 158 States Parties who have adhered to the Convention, which represents the majority of the 188 UNESCO Member States. He welcomed the States Parties attending the Committee session for the first time and congratulated the States Parties elected recently by the twelfth session of the General Assembly. Mr Matsuura, addressing the newly-elected Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, Mr Abdelaziz Touri, Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage in Morocco, commented that his election was fully justified, being a respected expert involved in day-to-day conservation of the cultural heritage, a person of experience at the heart of the Committee where he has worked for several years.
I.11 Turning to the values of World Heritage sites, Mr Matsuura emphasized that the Committee’s deliberations and decisions on the established criteria for World Heritage, will be important not only for the future protection of the exceptional world cultural and natural heritage, but also for important national and local sites. He stressed the importance of developing a collective ethic for heritage conservation which he viewed as a major challenge in the face of economic globalisation.
I.12 As the Director–General of UNESCO, Mr. Matsuura said that he will endeavour to strengthen the World Heritage Centre, to enable it to respond to the increasing demands of national and local authorities, of site managers, research institutes, development agencies, the media and the public.
I.13 In emphasizing the importance and the large quantity of work of the Committee, Mr. Matsuura observed the need to facilitate its work. He also mentioned the need for rigour, particularly in matters dealing with the inscription of sites in the World Heritage List, the evaluation of international assistance requests and in addressing the root causes of various threats to World Heritage. The Director-General suggested the linkage of preparatory assistance and training grants to the Global Strategy and priority approval for requests from Least Developed Countries and Low Income Countries, particularly for technical co-operation.
I.14 In conclusion, he emphasized the importance of public awareness-building and education for World Heritage conservation. Without education the survival of the World Heritage is at risk. He informed the Committee that as the Director-General of UNESCO, and working with the General Conference and the Executive Board, he would seek to further strengthen the World Heritage Centre. (The Director-General’s speech is attached as Annex III to this report).
I.15 Mr Touri, the Chairperson, thanked the Director-General of UNESCO for his kind words. He then thanked the Director–General for having presented on behalf of UNESCO the following two medals: Victor Hugo Medal to His Excellency, the Minister for Cultural Affairs, Mr. Mohammed Achaari; and the Aristotle Medal to Mr. Abdelaziz Touri, the Director of Cultural Heritage, and the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee.
I.16 The Chairperson informed the Committee that the First Arab States World Heritage Youth Forum had taken place at the Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, from 22-28 November. The Forum, organized within the framework of UNESCO’s Special Project "Young People’s Participation in World Heritage Preservation and Promotion" with the support of NORAD (Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation) and the Rhône-Poulenc Foundation (France), was attended by young people and secondary school teachers from twelve countries in the Arab region.
I.17 In previous years, international Youth Fora had been held in Norway (1995) and Japan (1998), and regional Youth Fora in Croatia (1996), Zimbabwe (1996), China (1997) and Senegal (1999). The Youth Forum for the Arab region coincided with the recent publication, in Arabic, of the Educational Resource Kit for Teacher’s entitled "World Heritage in young hands" translated with the assistance of the UNESCO Office in Amman, Jordan. The Youth Forum was organized in collaboration with the UNESCO Office in Rabat, Morocco and the Al Akhawayn University.
I.18 At the invitation of the Chairperson, the President of the Al Akhawayn University, Dr Rachid Benmokhtar, gave a brief summary of the Youth Forum. He referred to his pleasure in having welcomed young people from the Arab region to his University as the Youth Forum reflected the goals and research of the University in relation to cultural heritage and its conservation. The University aims to instil in its students a spirit of open-mindedness, tolerance and peace. The location of Ifrane had provided an appropriate setting for the Forum enriched by Berber culture and extraordinary biodiversity. The young people at the Youth Forum actively participated in plenary sessions, field visits to the World Heritage sites of Fez and Volubilis, workshops on traditional calligraphy, handicrafts and communication technology and prepared a Forum newspaper. Dr Rachid Benmokhtar thanked UNESCO for having taken the initiative to organise the Forum.
I.19 Two student representatives from the Youth Forum read an appeal adopted by all thirty-eight students at the Youth Forum in Ifrane. They expressed their commitment to the conservation of heritage and requested the assistance of UNESCO to organise further youth forum in the region. The students referred to the role of media and modern technology in raising awareness of the necessity of preserving the world’s heritage and noted the important role of revitalisation of traditional crafts in the maintenance of heritage and identity. They concluded by calling on the young people of the world to join with young people in the Arab region to protect their World Heritage. The Student Pledge from Ifrane is included as Annex IV of this report.
I.20 The Director of the Centre sincerely thanked the young people for their presentation and for their energy and commitment in favour of heritage awareness and conservation.
II.ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND THE TIMETABLE
II.1 The Committee adopted the agenda (WHC-99/CONF./209/1), the Annotated Agenda (WHC-99/CONF.209/2) and the Provisional Calendar with modifications. Following unanimous agreement, the Committee decided to discuss the Agenda Item 7 on ‘Follow-up to the work of the Consultative Body to the World Heritage Committee’, to enable a working group to be established under this agenda item and for it to complete its task as early as possible during the session. In response to the interventions by the Delegates of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Hungary, Thailand and Zimbabwe, the Chairperson proposed to hold discussions on Item 7 before agenda Item 10 which deals with the state of conservation of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger and the World Heritage List, at the end of the afternoon session on Monday, 29 November, 1999. This was accepted and he then requested the Secretariat to redraft the timetable accordingly.
III.REPORT BY THE SECRETARIAT ON THE ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN SINCE THE TWENTY-SECOND SESSION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE
III.1 Mr Mounir Bouchenaki, in his capacity as Director of the World Heritage Centre and Secretary to the World Heritage Committee, presented the report on activities undertaken since the last session of the World Heritage Committee in 1998.
III.2 He referred to the Information Document WHC-99/CONF/209.INF.5 and used an audiovisual presentation to highlight the important points of the document.
III.3 The Director of the Centre indicated that Chad and Israel had ratified the Convention in 1999, bringing the number of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention to 158. Concerning new nominations for inscription, the Director noted that in spite of the fact that the majority of these new nominations emanated from western European countries, nominations have also been received for the first time from the following five States Parties, Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Africa, Saint Christopher & Nevis, Suriname and Turkmenistan. He indicated that this was a positive sign for better representivity of the List in the future. The Director also underlined that 109 of the 158 States Parties have submitted tentative lists of sites they may wish to nominate in future in conformity with the format prescribed by the Operational Guidelines.
III.4 The Director then emphasized the importance of the work of the Global Strategy to ensure a representative World Heritage List and drew the attention of the Committee to a certain number of regional thematic meetings that had been held on this subject. He mentioned, in particular, the expert meeting on African cultural landscapes which was held in Kenya in March, activities and missions carried out in the Arab region which will contribute towards the organization of a series of workshops to strengthen conservation capacity in the field of natural heritage in the region and to the second Global Strategy Meeting for the Pacific Region held in Vanuatu in association with the Pacific Islands Museums Association (PIMA). He also stated that a meeting was held in Brastagi, Indonesia, in December 1998, organized jointly by the Ministry of Forestry of Indonesia and the World Heritage Centre, to study how the Convention may be implemented in the framework of protecting biodiversity of forest habitats. The Director mentioned two additional meetings on cultural landscapes, one in Slovakia in June 1999 concerning the preparation of Management Guidelines for Cultural Landscapes and the other in Poland in October 1999, convening experts from fourteen States Parties from Eastern Europe and representatives of the three advisory bodies. He also referred to the efforts undertaken by the Centre to ensure better representativity of the List in Asia and the Caribbean.
III.5 With regard to the conservation of World Heritage sites and the presentation of the periodic reports, the Director recalled the decisions of the Committee and the General Assembly concerning this issue. He informed the Committee that a Circular Letter with the new format and explanatory notes had been addressed to all States Parties, and that an information brochure on the presentation of periodic reports had been elaborated and distributed in 1999 as a follow-up to these decisions.
III.6 The Director indicated that two expert meetings organized by ICCROM were held in 1999. These meetings had elaborated a structure for a reference manual for monitoring the state of conservation. Numerous initiatives were cited by the Director which had been undertaken by some States Parties in support of the submission of periodic reports, such as training seminars organized by the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea, as well as other national seminars. The Director emphasized the importance of these seminars and indicated that other seminars and workshops are under preparation for 2000, particularly in Asia. Among the initiatives undertaken, the Director presented a new database, available on the Centre’s Intranet, which incorporates all information relating to sites situated in Asia. He encouraged the creation of similar databases for other regions.
III.7 Sixty-seven reports, nineteen of which concerned sites inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, were submitted to the Centre in 1999. The Director noted that a majority of the reports submitted for examination by the Committee concerned sites situated in Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean. He expressed concern about the increasing number of serious problems facing certain sites, in particular the Kathmandu Valley (Nepal) where recent deterioration of the historic fabric has been reported by the UNESCO mission that took place in October 1999. He also mentioned, among other sites, the Group of Monuments at Hampi in India, where two bridges are currently under construction, Machu Picchu in Peru where a cable car is proposed and the Iguazu National Park in Brazil which has suffered negative effects due to the construction of a road which crosses the site, and to numerous helicopter flights in this area. The many natural catastrophes that had caused important damage, notably in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the need to develop specific activities to assist the States concerned, were mentioned by the Director.
III.8 In reporting on the implementation of International Assistance, the Director drew the attention of the Committee to the fact that 40% of Preparatory Assistance had been allocated to natural sites. He continued by informing the Committee that Technical Co-operation had to a great extent been allocated to African natural sites and that the greater part of preparatory assistance for cultural sites had been to support sites in Europe, and Latin American and the Caribbean.
III.9 The Director then referred to activities of the Centre’s Documentation, Information and Education Unit, emphasizing the importance of these activities, in particular the development of a modern information management system. He also underlined the need to prepare specific information documents oriented to respond on the one hand to the needs of States Parties, and on the other to the public at large and the media. He also presented the UNESCO Special Project "Young people’s participation in the preservation and promotion of World Heritage" and informed the Committee that the most recent Youth Forum was held at the Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, during which young people of the Arab region had the opportunity to improve their knowledge of the Convention by attending numerous workshops. He also recalled that the Educational Kit entitled "World Heritage in young hands" is now available in Arabic. He highlighted the need to strengthen this programme.
III.10 In the framework of activities and co-operation with the advisory bodies, the Director reported on a certain number of meetings held during the year and expressed satisfaction with the increasing co-operation between the advisory bodies and the Centre.
III.11 The Director evoked the spirit of co-operation that existed between the Centre and the other Division of UNESCO, notably the Division of Ecological Sciences, the Division of Earth Sciences, the Education Sector and the Division of Cultural Heritage. He also noted the increasing number of activities undertaken by the regional offices and focal points in collaboration with the Centre.
III.12 In emphasizing the need to strengthen international co-operation and facilitate exchanges between the States, the Director presented a new Internet site on Afghanistan, funded by the World Heritage Fund and the Funds-in-Trust of Professor Hirayama. This site will soon be available on the web. He also spoke of the co-operation between the Centre and organizations such as The World Bank, UNDP, with particular reference to the activities carried out in co-operation with the United Nations Foundation, thanks to which several projects, in particular the Galapagos Islands and sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have been financed.
III.13 In the framework of co-operation between the States, the Director cited as an example, the Nara Seminar for the Integrity and Development of Historic Cities that provided the opportunity for a dialogue between eleven cities inscribed on the World Heritage List. He also indicated that the Agreement between France and UNESCO for the Protection and Development of Monumental and Urban Heritage is now operational. Sixteen activities have been defined in this Agreement which aim at supporting under-represented States Parties in the preparation of nomination files and providing technical co-operation input.
III.14 With regard to the follow-up of the work of the Consultative Body, the Director recalled the terms of reference of the Strategic Task Force on the future of the World Heritage Convention.
III.15 The Director also presented the organizational chart of the Centre and insisted on the need to strengthen the Centre at all levels. He drew the attention of the Committee to the need to regularize the five posts requested during the thirteenth session of the UNESCO General Conference to respond to the most urgent needs. He also emphasized that many core functions of the Centre were currently being carried out by contractors.
III.16 The Chairperson thanked the Director of the Centre, for his excellent presentation. The Delegations of Ecuador, Japan and the Republic of Korea, also thanked the Centre and noted the wide diversity of activities undertaken by the Centre. They also insisted upon the need to strengthen the structure and the staff of the Centre.
III.17 The Delegate of Republic of Korea specifically mentioned his satisfaction with the close collaboration between the Centre and States Parties in the Asian region. He expressed his appreciation for the support provided to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea referring to it as an exemplary case of promoting "the cultural of peace in the framework of the World Heritage Convention".
IV.REPORTS OF THE RAPPORTEURS ON THE SESSIONS OF THE WORLD HERITAGE BUREAU
IV.1 The Rapporteur of the twenty-third session of the Bureau (5 – 10 July 1999), and the third extraordinary session of the World Heritage Committee, 12 July 1999, presented the two reports WHC-99/CONF.209/4 and WHC-99/CONF.209/5 respectively. Concerning the report of the twenty-third session of the Bureau, Mr Janos Jelen (Hungary) said the report reflects the debate of the Bureau and the document can be instrumental for States Parties and the members of the Committee when they prepare themselves for future meetings. Regarding the report of the third extraordinary session of the Committee, the Rapporteur said that he hoped that the report would be scrutinized intensively in the years to come since the deliberations of the Committee set examples for the future. He said that he felt honoured and proud that he could take part in the work of the Committee and the Bureau. With no comments from the members of the Committee the two reports were adopted.
IV.2 The Rapporteur of the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau held in Marrakesh, Morocco, from 26 – 27 November 1999, Ms Anne Lammila (Finland), presented the report (WHC-99/CONF.209/6). The Rapporteur said the report was prepared in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre. She paid tribute to the personnel of the Centre and noted that the work of the Centre had become very demanding, and that some changes should be made in the working methods of the Committee. Proposals in this respect were welcome from all Committee members and observers.
IV.3 The following delegates and observers made contributions to the report: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Hungary, Philippines, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, ICOMOS and IUCN.
IV.4 The Chairperson reported on his meeting with a representative of the United Nations Foundation, Mr. Nicholas Lapham, and the Director of the World Heritage Centre. The United Nations Foundation was created in January 1998 by Mr Ted Turner to support United Nations activities in the field of environment, improvement of child health, women and the population.
IV.5 The Representative informed the Chairperson that the UNF Board of Directors had approved, at the beginning of November 1999, an overall strategy for biodiversity that would primarily focus on natural World Heritage sites inscribed for their biodiversity values (e.g. criterion (iv)). Therefore, the Foundation would contribute over several years to the strengthening and the protection and the management of sites, the first of which are the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, and the World Heritage sites in Danger in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
IV.6 The UNF Representative also informed of the wish of the Foundation to participate towards the promotion of the Convention to raise awareness of the public and concerned governmental authorities.
IV.7 In reporting on this meeting, the Chairperson emphasized the very positive aspects for the Convention. The UNF Representative would observe the work of the Committee and was available to those members of the Committee who might wish for more detailed information.
IV.8 The Rapporteur thanked delegations that had made contributions and the report was adopted with the proposed amendments.
V.REPORT ON THE DECISION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF STATES PARTIES WITH REGARD TO "WAYS AND MEANS TO ENSURE A REPRESENTATIVE WORLD HERITAGE LIST"
V.1 Mr Isidore Monsi (Benin), Rapporteur of the twelfth session of the General Assembly of the States Party to the World Heritage Convention, presented the report (WHC-99/CONF.209/7) of this session.
V.2 In qualifying the session as "historic", Mr Isidore Monsi, (Benin), reported on the convergence of views relating to the actions proposed in the framework of the Global Strategy and in particular he emphasized the two substantial resolutions unanimously adopted by the States Parties, namely the resolution on "the ways and means to ensure a representative World Heritage List" and the one relating to an equitable representation within the Committee.
V.3 The Document WHC-99/CONF.209/8 submitted proposals referring to the implementation of the two resolutions that demand close examination by the Committee. Referring in particular to the first resolution, he emphasized that in the opinion of many of the delegates attending the General Assembly, its application should be implicit to a true political will.
V.4 He invited all the partners involved in the implementation of the Global Strategy to arm themselves with this will and thanked the Secretariat for their excellent work and their determination in the spearheading process.
VI.PROGRESS REPORT ON THE IMPLE-MENTATION OF THE REGIONAL ACTIONS DESCRIBED IN THE GLOBAL STRATEGY ACTION PLAN ADOPTED BY THE COMMITTEE AT ITS TWENTY-SECOND SESSION
VI.1 The Chairperson recalled the reference documents WHC-99/CONF.209.8 and WHC-99/CONF.209/8Add and WHC-99/CONF.209.7, Annex II (text of the resolution adopted by the twelfth General Assembly on "The ways and means to ensure a representative World Heritage List"). He indicated that the Document WHC-99/CONF.209/8 was a follow-up to the adoption in 1998 by the Committee at its twenty-second session, of the regional action plans:
(a) Section III presents the report of the activities undertaken in 1999 and the action plans for the years 2001 and 2002 for Africa, the Arab States, Asia, the Pacific, Europe and North America, as well as Latin America and the Caribbean;
(b) Section IV presents the contribution of the advisory bodies to the Global Strategy;
(c) Section V includes a budget for activities for 2000.
VI.2 He added that this document was prepared before the twelfth General Assembly of States Parties and that the conclusions of the debate on "The ways and means to ensure a representative World Heritage List" were presented in the report of the General Assembly Document WHC-99/CONF.209/7. He indicated that the debate and the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly called for ways of action presented in the Document WHC-99/CONF.209/8Add. which could be examined by the Bureau in June 2000, during its twenty-fourth session.
VI.3 The Secretariat recalled the background to the document and referred to Document WHC-98/CONF.203/12 "Progress Report and Action Plan of Global Strategy for a credible and representative World heritage List", adopted at the twenty-second session of the Committee. This document presents regional analyses as well as six regional action plans for: Africa, Asia, Pacific, the Arab States, Europe and North America, Latin America and the Caribbean. The Secretariat then presented for each region: (a) activities executed in 1999; (b) planned activities for 2000 in the context of the pluriannual regional plans (2000-2002). Each plan also indicated the possibilities for the granting of "international assistance" from the World Heritage Fund to the States Parties. The plans take into account: (i) recognition of imbalance between natural and cultural properties; (ii) characteristics of each region; (iii) under-represented categories; (iv) but also, priorities defined in co-operation with the advisory bodies, States Parties and in synergy with the existing regional networks, notably in Africa, Asia and the Pacific; (v) analyses and recommendations of publications of expert meetings, such as: reports of the Amsterdam meeting, reports of the thematic and Global Strategy meetings in Africa, the Pacific, eastern and central Europe, the Baltic States, in the Andean and the Caribbean regions, and the IUCN thematic studies on the global diversity and geological sites.
VI.4 In the framework of the objectives aiming at the increase in the number of States Parties, awareness-raising of decision-makers, encouragement in the preparation of tentative lists and nominations for inscription, strengthening existing capacities in the field of conservation, activities targeted in the action plans respond to the needs of each region and are based on already identified needs. They will be revised during the years in accordance with the results and in the light of remarks and observations of the Committee. The overall activities take into account the human resources of the Centre responsible for each region.
VI.5 The activities proposed in 2000 in the framework of the action plans, place the emphasis on the: (i) organization of Global Strategy meetings and their follow-up; (ii) organization of thematic meetings on the under-represented categories of heritage and the preparation of publications; (iii) particular attention is given to transborder sites, serial nominations; (iv) utilisation of existing expert networks and strengthening existing capabilities in the field of training; (v) strategic studies under preparation should encourage numerous proposals of mixed and natural sites, especially in Asia and the Pacific.
VI.6 Due to the very heavy workload of the Committee, there was not sufficient time to examine in detail the proposed activities. Nevertheless, the Delegate of Zimbabwe indicated that, at the invitation of his country, the Meeting on Integrity/Authenticity in the African Context, will be held there in May 2000.
VI.7 The Committee noted that concerning the Regional Thematic Expert Meeting on Sacred Mountains in Asia, preliminary discussions were held with the Japanese Authorities to organize the meeting in Japan in the year 2001, and that further information would be provided to the twenty-fourth session of the World Heritage Committee.
VI.8 The Observer of Austria informed the Committee that his Government intends to host the Expert Meeting on the European Alps in June 2000 and that this meeting is fully in line with the Global Strategy for a balanced and representative World Heritage List. No natural property has been included from the region on the World Heritage List so far. A constructive discussion has started and draft terms of reference had been prepared. The meeting will identify potential World Heritage sites and will deal with a number of issues including transboundary sites.
VI.9 The Observer of Germany informed the Committee of a proposal of a workshop on "World Heritage Perspectives in the Caucasus Region" suggested to be organized in Georgia in July 2000. This workshop would deal with both the cultural and biological diversity of the region, which is currently under-represented on the World Heritage List. He noted that financial assistance would be required under preparatory assistance.
VI.10 The Delegate of Zimbabwe informed the Committee about a follow-up meeting to the Tiwi meeting that will be held in May 2000 to discuss the authenticity questions in Africa. This meeting will also be supported financially by the Nordic World Heritage Office.
VI.11 The Delegate of Italy, in following-up the proposal from Austria, offered to host an expert meeting on "Cultural landscapes in Europe and the Mediterranean" in February 2000 in Sicily, in collaboration with the administration of the Etna Regional Park. This meeting would address issues raised during the debate on cultural landscapes under the agenda item on nominations.
VI.12 The Delegate of Hungary proposed to organize a meeting on "Natural and Cultural Heritage in Eastern Europe" and suggested a budget proposal to be discussed under Chapter II of the Budget. He also proposed to modify the title of the activity proposed for the Arab States so as the information to be distributed takes into account the needs of the preparation of the periodic report for this region.
VI.13 The Delegate of Australia made a presentation concerning the Asia Pacific Focal Point for World Heritage Managers which had been suggested at the first two meetings of the Regional Network for World Heritage Management in South-East Asia, the Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. Australia launched the Focal Point in July 1999 to share information and experience, develop networks and facilitate training in support of World Heritage conservation in the region. He referred to the Focal Point as an initiative that would contribute to the Global Strategy especially for the Pacific where so few countries had signed the Convention. He gave a brief introduction to the web site for the Focal Point that would include site specific information relevant to the region. He noted that the Focal Point’s work would be performed in partnership with UNESCO, IUCN, ICOMOS, ICCROM, regional States Parties and other organisations.
VI.14 The Committee, having recognized that regional action plans had already contributed in a tangible manner towards the implementation of the Global Strategy, adopted under Chapter II for the Budget for 2000 and amount of US$ 278,000, of which US$ 20,000 for Central and Eastern Europe, and under Thematic Studies US$ 40,000 for ICOMOS and US$ 15,000 for IUCN. It also took note of Information Documents WHC-99/CONF.209/INF.8, WHC-99/CONF.209/INF.11, WHC-99/CONF.209/INF.14 and WHC-99/CONF.209/INF.16.
VI.15 The Director of the Centre referred to Document WHC-99/CONF.209/8Add. that presents the follow-up of the two resolutions adopted by the twelfth General Assembly of States Parties (October 1999): (a) "Ways and means to ensure a representative World Heritage List", and (b) "The equitable representation in the Committee". He proposed that the Centre address a letter to all the representatives of States Parties in Paris as well as to ICOMOS inviting them to a meeting at UNESCO Headquarters in mid-January 2000 to constitute two working groups which would define their mandates, their working methods and their evolution. These groups will submit their reports to the twenty-fourth session of the Bureau in June 2000. The Delegates of Belgium, Finland, Greece, Italy and the Observer of France, supported this proposal which was adopted. The Delegate of Greece underlined the legal issues to be discussed by the working group that will deal with the equitable representation of the Committee and suggested that its Chair have legal qualifications.
VI.16 At the end of the session, the Director of the World Heritage Centre indicated that two other groups had been constituted during the twenty-third session of the Committee, namely:
a task force for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention, chaired by Ms Christina Cameron (Canada);
a working group which will convene in Canterbury (April 2000), thanks to the generous invitation of the United Kingdom, and will concern a global vision for the revision of the Operational Guidelines.
These two groups shall also present the results of their work to the twenty-fourth session of the Bureau in June 2000.
VII.FOLLOW-UP TO THE WORK OF THE CONSULTATIVE BODY OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE
VII.1 The Chairperson introduced item 7 and recalled the origin of the creation of this consultative body (twentieth session of the Committee, December 1996, Merida, Mexico). He informed the delegates of the relevant documents and requested the Director of the Centre to present the item.
VII.2 The Director of the Centre took the floor and described the content of the Working Document and summarized the decisions to be taken that he proposed for submission to the Committee. The decision concerning the technical questions, amended by Benin, were adopted as follows:
The Committee requested that the World Heritage Centre and the advisory bodies continue to take into consideration the work of the Consultative Body on technical questions (application of cultural criteria (i) and (vi), examination of authenticity, imbalance of the World Heritage List and the implementation of the Global Strategy) in particular with regard to the implementation of the Global Strategy, the resolution of the General Assembly concerning the ways and means to ensure a representative World Heritage List, and the meetings on the Rationalisation of Operational Guidelines which should be held in the United Kingdom in April 2000 and the meeting on Integrity/Authenticity in the African context which should be held in Africa in May 2000.
VII.3 Following the adoption of the above, several members of the Committee intervened to request that discussion on this item of the agenda be conducted in a global manner as the different elements submitted for discussion are closely linked. Some delegates requested that a special working group be rapidly formed so that it may submit concrete proposals to this Committee session.
VII.4 Canada, supported by several delegations, of which Belgium – who proposed themes to be studied by this special working group - Australia, France and the United Kingdom suggested that the working group concentrate first of all on the finalisation of the work of the Consultative Body, created in 1996 by the Committee. The Delegate of Canada also proposed that the special working group should not discuss the subject of representativity of the List, which should be studied within the context of the Global Strategy. This proposal was endorsed by the delegates.
VII.5 With regard to the composition of the small working group, delegates indicated that it should be geographically representative of States Parties to the Convention whilst being limited in number. It was also suggested that the advisory bodies to the Convention be represented.
VII.6 At the end of the debate that discussed many aspects of the terms of reference of the working group, the Chairperson of the Committee suggested the following composition of the group that would meet at the end of the plenary session and would submit a draft decision on detailed terms of reference of the future task force to the Committee: Canada (Chairperson), Australia, Belgium, Hungary, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa and Thailand, and the advisory bodies (ICOMOS, IUCN and ICCROM). The Secretariat was provided by the World Heritage Centre. The Committee suggested that the working group should discuss the following items, among others: the working methods of the Committee and its Bureau; proliferation of the statutory meetings; the role of the advisory bodies; the calendar of nominations; the human and financial resources of the World Heritage Centre.
VII.7 These proposals were approved by the Committee and the Chairperson requested that the working group submit its deliberations to the Committee on Thursday, 2 December during the afternoon session. The Chairperson proposed that delegations wishing to contribute to the working group provide their proposals to the Chairperson or their representatives in the Task Force.
VII.8 The working group met twice and formulated a proposal for the terms of reference of the task force. These were submitted to the Committee and, after discussions were amended and approved. During the debate, delegates pointed out the need to keep the composition of the task force open to States Parties wishing to contribute to its work. The approved terms of reference are the following:
TASK FORCE ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION
At the request of the World Heritage Committee, a working group chaired by Canada submits to the Committee proposals relating to the composition and terms of reference of a Task Force aimed at improving the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
Composition of the Task Force:
The same as the working group established by the Committee in Marrakesh 1999, chaired by Canada and including Australia, Belgium, Hungary, Morocco, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and the advisory bodies (ICOMOS, ICCROM and IUCN) and a representative of the World Heritage Centre. Australia agreed to act as rapporteur.
Terms of reference of the Task Force:
To identify and propose for consideration of the Bureau in June 2000 priority practical measures for more effective operation of the Convention, taking account of pressures affecting the Convention over the coming years. Those measures, some of which should be applicable in preparation of and during the Committee meeting of December 2000, will focus on:
- The organization and running of the statutory meetings,
- The procedures for decision making,
- The information and documentation management,
- The Operational Guidelines.
The Task Force will take into account and further build upon all discussions in previous General Assembly, Committee and Bureau meetings (see WHC-99/CONF.209/9), the management review and financial audit, and proposals made by State Parties.
Working methods:
The Task Force will operate in a way that maximizes the opportunity for State Party input. A concise draft paper will be circulated by March 2000 and comments will be sought by fax and email. The draft paper will be posted on the UNESCO homepage.
Possible further developments:
After having considered the proposals of the Task Force, the Bureau, at its meeting of June 2000, will recommend for Committee consideration a possible new working group to reflect in depth on the objectives and fundamental priorities in implementing the Convention.
VIII.INFORMATION ON TENTATIVE LISTS AND EXAMINATION OF NOMINATIONS OF CULTURAL AND NATURAL PROPERTIES TO THE LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE IN DANGER AND WORLD HERITAGE LIST
The Chairperson indicated that all the cultural nominations for inscription are included in the tentative lists of the countries concerned.
EXAMINATION OF NOMINATIONS OF CULTURAL AND NATURAL PROPERTIES TO THE LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE IN DANGER
VIII.1 Following the review of the state of conservation reports and at the recommendation of the Bureau, the Committee decided to inscribe the following natural and cultural properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
- Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
- Rwenzori Mountains National Park (Uganda)
- Iguaçu National Park (Brazil)
- Hampi (India)
VIII.2 The Committee did not recommend the deletion of properties from the List of World Heritage in Danger.
EXAMINATION OF NOMINATIONS OF CULTURAL AND NATURAL PROPERTIES TO THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST
VIII.3 The Committee approved the change of the name of the following property included on the World Heritage List:
"Sokkuram Grotto" to "Sokkuram Grotto and Pulguksa Temple" (Republic of Korea)
Concerning the request from Germany, that "Roman Monuments, Cathedral and Liebfrauen-Church in Trier" is changed to "Roman Monuments, Cathedral Saint Peter and St. Mary’s Church in Trier", the Chairperson suggested consultations between the Centre and the State Party to define the correct English version.
A.NATURAL HERITAGE
A.1Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List
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The Committee decided to inscribe Peninsula Valdés on the World Heritage List under criterion (iv).
Peninsula Valdés contains very important and significant natural habitats for the in-situ conservation of several threatened species of outstanding universal value, and specifically its globally important concentration of breeding southern right whales, which is an endangered species. It is also important because of the breeding populations of southern elephant seals and southern sea lions. The area exhibits an exceptional example of adaptation of hunting techniques by the orca to the local coastal conditions.
The Committee commended the government of the Province of Chubut for promoting the preparation of an Integrated Collaborative Management Plan for this site. The Committee recommended that the State Party, along with responsible regional and local bodies should: (a) ensure that effective controls are in place over any possible pollution threat from the town of Puerto Madryn to the waters of Golfo Nuevo, (b) support the efforts of the relevant authorities to secure the equipment needed to respond quickly to any oil hazard from passing shipping so as to protect the marine conservation values of the area; (c) produce a tourism management plan as an integral element of the overall management plan; (d) encourage implementation of the Integrated Collaborative Management Plan, and in particular to ensure that farmers and other private owners of land can play a full part in the development of environmentally responsible tourism; and (e) work at the international level to ensure that the marine mammals concerned are protected throughout their range.
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IUCN informed the Committee that the evaluation of this property has been undertaken based on the revised nomination submitted by the State Party in April 1999.
The Brazilian Discovery Coast includes eight separate protected areas containing the best and largest remaining examples of Atlantic forest in the Northeast region of Brazil and contains high numbers of rare and endemic species. The site displays the biological richness and evolutionary history of the few remaining areas of Atlantic forest of Northeast Brazil. The site reveals a pattern of evolution of great interest to science and importance for conservation. The fact that only these few scattered remnants of a once vast forest remain, make them an irreplaceable part of the world’s forest heritage.
The Committee decided to inscribe the site under natural criteria (ii) and (iv). It also recommended that the State Party should be encouraged to complete the "Plan of Action for the Atlantic Forest Region" and other initiatives indicated in the IUCN evaluation.
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IUCN informed the Committee that the evaluation of this property has been undertaken based on the revised nomination submitted by the State Party in April 1999.
The Atlantic Forest Southeast Reserves contain the best and largest remaining examples of Atlantic forest in the Southeast region of Brazil. The 25 protected areas that make up the site display the biological richness and evolutionary history of the few remaining areas of Atlantic forest of Southeast Brazil. The area is also exceptionally diverse with high numbers of rare and endemic species. With its "mountains to the sea" attitudinal gradient, its estuary, wild rivers, karst and numerous waterfalls, the site also has exceptional scenic values.
The Committee decided to inscribe the site under natural criteria (ii), (iii) and (iv). It also recommended that the State Party should be encouraged to restore natural conditions in the Serra do Mar State Park, which potentially could be incorporated in the site.
The Delegate of Morocco noted the values of the site but highlighted the challenges of the management of serial sites. The Delegate of Australia noted that management in serial sites is complex but can be done with careful strategic planning and an appropriate legal framework.
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In its representation of vertebrate life, Miguasha Park is the most outstanding fossil site in the world for illustrating the Devonian as the "Age of Fishes". The area is of paramount importance in having the greatest number and best preserved fossil specimens found anywhere in the world of the lobe-finned fishes that gave rise to the first four-legged, air-breathing terrestrial vertebrates - the tetrapodes.
The Committee decided to inscribe the site under natural criterion (i). The Committee commended the Government of Canada for the rigorous comparative assessment applied to this nomination and noted it as a model for future fossil nominations. Following an intervention of the Delegate of Thailand, IUCN highlighted the results of the comparative study on Devonian sites and elaborated on how this site addresses criterion (i).
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Property |
Area de Conservacion Guanacaste |
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Id. N° |
928 |
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State Party |
Costa Rica |
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Criteria |
N (ii) (iv) |
The Committee decided to inscribe the Guanacaste Conservation Area on the World Heritage List under criteria (ii) and (iv).
The site demonstrates significant, major biological and ecological processes in both its terrestrial and marine-coastal environments, as exemplified by: a) evolution, succession and restoration of Pacific Tropical Dry Forest; b) altitudinal migration and other interactive biogeographic and ecological processes along its dry forest - montane humid forest - cloud forest - lowland Caribbean rain forest transect; and, c) the major upwelling and development of coral colonies and reefs in regions long considered to not have either (the marine area near the coast of the Murcielago sector of Santa Rosa National Park).
The site contains important natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity (2.4% of global diversity), including both the best dry forest habitats and communities in Central America and key habitat for threatened animal species such as the Saltwater Crocodile, False Vampire Bat, Leatherback Sea Turtle, Jaguar, Jabiru Stork, Mangrove Hummingbird and threatened plant species such as Mahogany, Guyacan Real (Lignum Vitae), five species each of rare cacti and rare bromeliads.
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Property |
Desembarco del Granma National Park |
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Id. N° |
889 |
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State Party |
Cuba |
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Criteria |
N (i) (iii) |
The uplifted marine terraces of the Desembarco del Granma National Park and associated ongoing development of karst topography and features, represent a globally significant example of geomorphologic and physiographic features and ongoing geological processes. The area includes spectacular stair-step terraces and cliffs and the ecosystems that have evolved on them, as well as some of the most pristine and impressive coastal cliffs bordering the Western Atlantic between the Canadian Maritimes and southern South America.
The Committee decided to inscribe the site under natural criteria (i) and (iii). It also commended the Government of Cuba for the efforts to conserve this site. The Committee suggested that the State Party submit a request to the World Heritage Fund for technical assistance to produce a tourism management plan as an integral element of the overall management plan for this site.
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Property |
Lorentz National Park |
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Id. N° |
955 |
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State Party |
Indonesia |
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Criteria |
N (i) (ii) (iv) |
The Committee recalled that the Bureau at its twenty-third session requested the Centre to inform the Indonesian authorities of a number of aspects suggested by IUCN dealing with the management of the site, and in particular: (a) the priority need to continue the process of management planning for the Park with full involvement of the local stakeholders; (b) encouragement for the proposed establishment of a Foundation which would assist in the management of the Park; (c) possible twinning arrangement with the Wet Tropics World Heritage site in Australia; (d) appointment of a Park Director and support staff; (e) the concern over development projects that would affect the Park, for example the proposed Timika/Mapurajaya road and any expansion of mining activity towards the Park boundary so as not to conflict with Lorentz National Park’s nomination as a World Heritage site. A letter from the Indonesian authorities was received noting their agreement with all of the above.
Several delegates and observers noted the issues of the mining concessions surrounding the site, the proposed 6% reduction of the site and the adjacent oil concessions as well as other potential impacts to the sites, such as road construction and visual impacts.
The Chairperson, in thanking the Committee for the extensive debate and consideration of the matter, suggested that the following points be transmitted to the State Party :
- The Committee noted that as per the request of 25 October 1999 from the Indonesian authorities, an adjustment of approximately 150,000 hectares were made to exclude oil exploration concessions in the south-east corner of the Park. The Committee accepted this reduction in the size of the property and agreed with the new boundaries as submitted in Map C (see Annex V). The modified size of the site is now about 2.35 million hectares.
- The Committee recognized the potential risks and threats as indicated in the IUCN evaluation and requested the State Party to consider these in actions concerning the site.
- The Committee encouraged further action on the proposed Trust Fund that would assist in strengthening conservation in Lorentz National Park.
- The Committee requested that a monitoring mission be undertaken to gauge progress three years after inscription.
The Delegate of Australia noted that his country still has not been officially informed about the suggestion of twinning arrangements between the Wet Tropics of Queensland and Lorentz National Park, but will be willing to co-operate if invited by the State Party.
The Committee decided to inscribe the site under natural criteria (i), (ii) and (iv).
The site is the largest protected area in Southeast Asia (2.35 mil. ha.) and the only protected area in the world which incorporates a continuous, intact transect from snow cap to tropical marine environment, including extensive lowland wetlands. Located at the meeting point of two colliding continental plates, the area has a complex geology with on-going mountain formation as well as major sculpting by glaciation and shoreline accretion which has formed much of the lowland areas. These processes have led to a high level of endemism and the area supports the highest level of biodiversity in the region. The area also contains fossil sites that record the evolution of life on New Guinea.
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Property |
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park |
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Id. N° |
652Rev |
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State Party |
Philippines |
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Criteria |
N (iii) (iv) |
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with its underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it flows directly into the sea, and the lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full mountain to the sea ecosystem and protects forests, which are among the most significant in Asia.
The Committee decided to inscribe the site under natural criteria (iii) and (iv). It also commended the Government of the Philippines for the consultative process undertaken with relevant authorities, specially with the affected Barangays and for their approaches to integrated regional land use planning which aim to ensure that the World Heritage values of the site are maintained.
The Observer of the Philippines informed the Committee that a tourism development plan would be provided shortly.
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Property |
The Laurisilva of Madeira |
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Id. N° |
934 |
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State Party |
Portugal |
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Criteria |
N (ii) (iv) |
The Committee decided to inscribe the Laurel Forest of Madeira on the World Heritage List under natural criteria (ii) and (iv).
The site contains the largest surviving relict of the virtually extinct laurisilva forest type that was once widespread in Europe. This forest type is considered to be a centre of plant diversity containing numerous rare, relict and endemic species, especially of bryophytes, ferns and flowering plants. It also has a very rich invertebrate fauna. Endemic species include the Madeiran long-toed pigeon and some 66 species of vascular plants.
The Committee decided to: (a) commend the State Party on the protection afforded to the forest in a protected area less than 10 years old and on the commitment shown by the Autonomous Regional Government, (b) encourage the State Party to enhance interpretation of the area and envisage compatible forestry practices outside the site, (c) encourage discussions between the Portuguese and the Spanish authorities on the possibility of jointly proposing Garajonay National Park World Heritage site and the Laurel Forest of Madeira as a single World Heritage site representing laurel forest.
The Observer of Spain stated that his Government would agree to the suggestion concerning discussions in relation to a joint site of Garajonay National Park and the Laurel Forest of Madeira.
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Property |
Western Caucasus |
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Id. N° |
900 |
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State Party |
Russian Federation |
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Criteria |
N (ii) (iv) |
The Western Caucasus has a remarkable diversity of geology, ecosystems and species. It is of global significance as a centre of plant diversity. Along with the Virgin Komi World Heritage site, it is the only large mountain area in Europe that has not experienced significant human impact, containing extensive tracts of undisturbed mountain forests unique on the European scale.
The twenty-third session of the Bureau could not study this nomination because the requested field mission was delayed for climatic reasons, and thus there was no report for the nominated site. The twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau decided to refer this nomination to the Committee, as proposed by the Delegate of Hungary, the original proposal of IUCN having been to defer this property.
The Delegate of Thailand underlined paragraph 65 of the Operational Guidelines and stated that this nomination was the case for deferral and could not be amended to referral because the conditions for deferral and referral were specifically provided for by the Operational Guidelines. Also, the nomination could not be considered by this session of the Committee. He registered his dissent with the decision of the Committee.
The Observer of the United Kingdom pointed out that this nomination was a specific case and could not be considered as a precedent. The Delegate of Belgium underlined that the site had not been reviewed by the twenty-third session of the Bureau as the mission had been delayed for climatic reasons.
The Committee decided to inscribe the site on the World Heritage List under criteria (ii) and (iv): The site includes: The territory of the Caucasus State Biosphere Reserve (CSBR) with the exception of the Khosta Yew-Box Grove but including the entire Lagonaki plateau. IUCN noted that previous concerns relating to the integrated management of this area and the status of the Lagonaki-Dragomys road had been adequately addressed by the State Party. IUCN recommended that the State Party elaborate a master management plan for all the protected areas included in the nomination.
The Observer of the Russian Federation, in thanking the Committee, stated that nature conservation is being taken into account in the protection of this property and all future measures for its extension. He noted the interest of the State Committee for the Environment in the enlargement of the territory of the nomination by means of incorporation of the strict conservation zone of the Sochi National Park in the near future.
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Property |
Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park |
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Id. N° |
914 |
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State Party |
South Africa |
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Criteria |
N (ii) (iii) (iv) |
The Committee decided to inscribe the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park on the World Heritage List under natural criteria (ii), (iii) and (iv).
The St. Lucia site consists of thirteen contiguous protected areas with a total size of 234,566 hectares. The site is the largest estuarine system in Africa and includes the southernmost extension of coral reefs on the continent. The site contains a combination of on-going fluvial, marine and aeolian processes that have resulted in a variety of landforms and ecosystems. Features include wide submarine canyons, sandy beaches, forested dune cordon and a mosaic of wetlands, grasslands, forests, lakes and savanna. The variety of morphology as well as major flood and storm events contribute to ongoing evolutionary processes in the area. Natural phenomena include: shifts from low to hyper-saline states in the Park’s lakes; large numbers of nesting turtles on the beaches; the migration of whales, dolphins and whale-sharks off-shore; and huge numbers of waterfowl including large breeding colonies of pelicans, storks, herons and terns. The Park’s location between sub-tropical and tropical Africa as well as its coastal setting has resulted in exceptional biodiversity including some 521 bird species.
The Committee commended the Government of South Africa on three issues: (a) for the decision to ban sand mining in the area and to subsequently nominate the area for World Heritage; (b) the long history of conservation in the area and the professional work of the Kwazlulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service in maintaining the site; (c) the launch of the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative with the neighbouring countries of Swaziland and Mozambique which provides the regional conservation and development framework for the Greater St. Lucia Area and which will further strengthen community conservation work there.
The Committee noted the possible extensions of the Greater St. Lucia including a possible future transfrontier site with Mozambique. It urged the completion of the land claim negotiations and confirmed that World Heritage site designation should not prejudice this process.
The Observer of France highlighted that this is the first nomination from South Africa and that the Committee’s decision to inscribe it is fully in line with the Global Strategy. The Delegate of South Africa thanked the Committee on behalf of the people of South Africa for the inscription of its first site on the World Heritage List.
A.2
Extension of a natural property which was not inscribed on the World Heritage List
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Property |
Belovezhskaya Pushcha/Bialowieza Forest – Extension |
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Id. N° |
33-627 Bis |
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State Party |
Belarus / Poland |
The Committee recalled that IUCN informed the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau that the proposed extension would provide an important contribution to the biodiversity of the Polish part of the existing World Heritage site, in particular through the oligothrophic pinewoods. However, they are not significant for the existing World Heritage site as a whole.
The Committee decided not to include the extension into the existing World Heritage site.
The Committee commended the Polish Government for its initiative for expanding the existing National Park and to give legal protection to the whole unit.
B.MIXED PROPERTIES
VIII.4 The Committee noted that the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau had noted that the Government of Australia provided the Centre with complementary information concerning the mixed cultural and natural nomination of the Greater Blue Mountains Area (Australia) on 7 October 1999. The State Party has commenced preparation of additional detailed complementary material addressing issues raised by the Bureau at its twenty-third ordinary session in July 1999. The Bureau had recommended deferral for the natural part of the nomination and did not recommend inscription according to cultural values. The State Party has informed the Centre of its intention to submit new information by 30 January 2000 to enable the Bureau to fully consider the nomination at its twenty-fourth session in Paris in June/July 2000, and to prepare recommendations for the World Heritage Committee’s twenty-fourth session in November 2000. Both ICOMOS and IUCN have agreed to this suggested timetable.
VIII.5 Concerning the site of the Aeolian Islands (Italy), the Committee noted that the Bureau at its extraordinary session had deferred the site. The Delegate of Italy informed the Committee that there had been a misunderstanding in the information provided, and that management plans and regulations for the site exist. Several delegates highlighted procedural matters in particular paragraph 65 of the Operational Guidelines, and stated that deferred sites are not presented for consideration by the Committee. Other delegates underlined the sovereignty of the Committee in its decisions. Following a considerable debate, the Delegate of Italy withdrew the request to discuss the site at this session. The Chairperson thanked the Committee for the debate and expressed his wish to avoid lengthy legal debates. He noted that Italy and IUCN will clarify the management issues and concluded that the site will be presented to the twenty-fourth Bureau session.
B.1
Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List
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Property |
Mount Wuyi |
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Id. N° |
911 |
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State Party |
China |
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Criteria |
N (iii) (iv) / C(iii) (vi) |
The Committee decided to inscribe the site on the World Heritage List under natural criteria (iii) and (iv) and cultural criteria (iii) and (vi).
Natural criteria (iii) and (iv) :
Mount Wuyi is one of the most outstanding subtropical forests in the world. It is the largest, most representative example of a largely intact forest encompassing the diversity of the Chinese Subtropical Forest and the South Chinese Rainforest. It acts as a refuge for a large number of ancient, relict plant species, many of them endemic to China and contains large numbers of reptile, amphibian and insect species. The riverine landscape of Nine-Bend Stream (lower gorge) is also of exceptional scenic quality in its juxtaposition of smooth rock cliffs with clear, deep water.
Cultural criteria (iii) and (vi) :
Criterion (iii): Mount Wuyi is a landscape of great beauty that has been protected for more than twelve centuries. It contains a series of exceptional archaeological sites, including the Han City established in the 1st century BC and a number of temples and study centres associated with the birth of Neo-Confucianism in the 11th century AD.
Criterion (vi): Mount Wuyi was the cradle of Neo-Confucianism, a doctrine that played a dominant role in the countries of Eastern and South-Eastern Asia for many centuries and influenced philosophy and government over much of the world.
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Property |
Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture |
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Id. N° |
417Rev |
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State Party |
Spain |
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Criteria |
N(ii)(iv) / C(ii)(iii)(iv) |
The Committee decided to inscribe the site on the basis of natural criteria (ii) and (iv) and cultural criteria (ii), (iii) and (iv).
Natural criteria (ii) and (iv) :
The marine component of this site is characterised by the presence of dense and very well preserved prairies of oceanic Posidonia (seagrass) and coral reefs. Oceanic Posidonia only occurs in the Mediterranean basin and this site is the best preserved example within this region. The area also contains the most diverse community of Cladocora caespitosa, supporting 220 species, in the Mediterranean basin and habitat for three globally endangered species, including the Monk Seal. The area also contains an important community of Ecteinascidia turbinata, a marine species with recognised value to prevent and combat different types of cancer. Parts of the site are included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention) for migratory birds.
The Committee noted that since the twenty-third session of the Bureau, IUCN was informed about an EC-funded proposal to modify the port of Ibiza. IUCN has reviewed the EIA for this project and noted that it will not impact on the natural values of the site.
Cultural criteria (ii), (iii) and (iv):
Criterion (ii): The intact 16th century fortifications of Ibiza bear unique witness to the military architecture and engineering and the aesthetics of the Renaissance. This Italian-Spanish model was very influential, especially in the construction and fortification of towns in the New World.
Criterion (iii): The Phoenician ruins of Sa Caleta and the Phoenician-Punic cemetery of Puig des Molins are exceptional evidence of urbanization and social life in the Phoenician colonies of the western Mediterranean. They constitute a unique resource, in terms of volume and importance, of material from the Phoenician and Carthaginian tombs.
Criterion (iv): The Upper Town of Ibiza is an excellent example of a fortified acropolis which preserves in an exceptional way in its walls and in its urban fabric successive imprints of the earliest Phoenician settlements and the Arab and Catalan periods through to the Renaissance bastions. The long process of building the defensive walls has not destroyed the earlier phases or the street pattern, but has incorporated them in the ultimate phase.
Several delegates and observers commended the State Party for this nomination and reminded it about the great challenges that growing tourism will pose to the protection of the site.
B.2Extension of a mixed property inscribed on the World Heritage List
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Property |
Pyrénées – Mont Perdu |
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Id. N° |
773 Bis |
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State Party |
France / Spain |
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Criteria |
The Committee noted the comment by ICOMOS that the small extension proposed by France is a valuable contribution to the overall cultural landscape. IUCN informed the Bureau that the existing Pyrénées – Mount Perdu (France/Spain) World Heritage site was inscribed under natural criteria (i) and (iii). The proposed extension would not meet any natural criteria on its own. However, the extension has comparable scenic and geomorphological values to the existing site. IUCN noted concerns as to whether the legal basis is sufficient for long term protection, as indicated in the original IUCN evaluation. IUCN noted that the value of the area lies in its significance as a cultural landscape.
The Committee decided to extend the existing World Heritage site to include the area of 550 ha (1,8 % of the World Heritage area) in the upper Valley of Héas.
C.CULTURAL HERITAGE
VIII.6 The Committee noted that Germany, following the twenty-third session of the Bureau, had withdrawn the nomination of The Cathedral of St-Maurice and St-Catherine, Magdebourg (Germany).
C.1Properties that the Committee inscribed on the World Heritage List
|
Property |
Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas |
|
Id. N° |
936 |
|
State Party |
Argentina |
|
Criteria |
C (iii) |
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criterion (iii):
Criterion (iii): Cueva de las Manos contains an outstanding collection of prehistoric rock art which bears witness to the culture of the earliest human societies in South America.
|
Property |
City of Graz – Historic Centre |
|
Id. N° |
931 |
|
State Party |
Austria |
|
Criteria |
C (ii) (iv) |
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv):
Criterion (ii): The Historic Centre of the City of Graz reflects artistic and architectural movements originating from the Germanic region, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean, for which it served as a crossroads for centuries. The greatest architects and artists of these different regions expressed themselves forcefully here and thus created brilliant syntheses.
Criterion (iv): The urban complex forming the Historic Centre of the City of Graz is an exceptional example of a harmonious integration of architectural styles from successive periods. Each age is represented by typical buildings, which are often masterpieces. The urban physiognomy faithfully tells the story of its historic development.
|
Property |
The Belfries of Flanders and Wallonia |
|
Id. N° |
943 |
|
State Party |
Belgium |
|
Criteria |
C (ii) (iv) |
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv):
Criterion (ii): The belfries of Belgium are exceptional examples of a form of urban architecture adapted to the political and spiritual requirements of their age.
Criterion (iv): The Middle Ages saw the emergence of towns that were independent of the prevalent feudal system. The belfries in the historic County of Flanders and in Wallonia symbolize this new-found independence, and also the links within them between the secular and religious powers.
The Committee noted that this serial inscription was of particular interest as the monuments are located in different cities and regions of the State Party.
|
Property |
Historic Centre of the Town of Diamantina |
|
Id. N° |
890 |
|
State Party |
Brazil |
|
Criteria |
C (ii) (iv) |
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv):
Criterion (ii): Diamantina shows how explorers of the Brazilian territory, diamond prospectors, and representatives of the Crown were able to adapt European models to an American context in the 18th century, thus creating a culture that was faithful to its roots yet completely original.
Criterion (iv): The urban and architectural group of Diamantina, perfectly integrated into a wild landscape, is a fine example of an adventurous spirit combined with a quest for refinement so typical of human nature.
The Observer of Brazil and the Mayor of Diamantina expressed their warm appreciation for this inscription.
|
Property |
The Dazu Rock Carvings |
|
Id. N° |
912 |
|
State Party |
China |
|
Criteria |
C (i) (ii) (iii) |
The Committee inscribed this site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (i), (ii) and (iii):
Criterion (i): The Dazu Carvings represent the pinnacle of Chinese rock art for their high aesthetic quality and their diversity of style and subject matter.
Criterion (ii): Tantric Buddhism from India and the Chinese Taoist and Confucian beliefs came together at Dazu to create a highly original and influential manifestation of spiritual harmony.
Criterion (iii): The eclectic nature of religious belief in later Imperial China is given material expression in the exceptional artistic heritage of the Dazu rock art.
The State Party agreed to the recommendation that the site be named "The Dazu Rock Carvings". The Committee, noting that the Dazu area was included in a large World Bank planning scheme, recommended the State Party to keep the Committee and ICOMOS fully informed on the nature and progress of the projects to mitigate any adverse impact on the Dazu rock carvings and their settings.
|
Property |
Viñales Valley |
|
Id. N° |
840 Rev |
|
State Party |
Cuba |
|
Criteria |
C(iv) |
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criterion (iv):
Criterion (iv): The Viñales Valley is an outstanding karst landscape in which traditional methods of agriculture (notably tobacco growing) have survived unchanged for several centuries. The region also preserves a rich vernacular tradition in its architecture, its crafts, and its music.
The Committee noted that during the recent UNESCO General Conference, the Valley of Viñales was awarded the Melina Mercouri Prize for Cultural Landscapes by the Director-General of UNESCO.
|
Property |
Litomyšl Castle |
|
Id. N° |
901 |
|
State Party |
Czech Republic |
|
Criteria |
C (ii) (iv) |
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv):
Criterion (ii): Litomyšl Castle is an outstanding and immaculately preserved example of the arcade castle, a type of building first developed in Italy and modified in the Czech lands to create an evolved form of special architectural quality.
Criterion (iv): Litomyšl Castle illustrates in an exceptional way the aristocratic residences of Central Europe in the Renaissance and their subsequent development under the influence of new artistic movements.
|
Property |
Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Rios de Cuenca |
|
Id. N° |
863 |
|
State Party |
Ecuador |
|
Criteria |
C (ii) (iv) (v) |
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii), (iv) and (v).
Criterion (ii): Cuenca illustrates the successful implantation of the principles of Renaissance urban planning in the Americas.
Criterion (iv): The successful fusion of different societies and cultures in Latin America is vividly symbolized by the layout and townscape of Cuenca.
Criterion (v): Cuenca is an outstanding example of a planned inland Spanish colonial city.
|
Property |
The Bronze Age Burial Site of Sammallahdenmäki |
|
Id. N° |
579 Rev |
|
State Party |
Finland |
|
Criteria |
C (iii) (iv) |
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iii) and (iv):
Criterion (iii): The Sammallahdenmäki cairn cemetery bears exceptional witness to the society of the Bronze Age of Scandinavia.
Criterion (iv): The Sammallahdenmäki cemetery is an outstanding example of Bronze Age funerary practices in Scandinavia.
Delegates drew the attention that the inscription of this non-monumental property responds to the objectives of the global strategy.
|
Property |
The Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion |
|
Id. N° |
932 |
|
State Party |
France |
|
Criteria |
C (iii) (iv) |
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iii) and (iv):
Criterion (iii): The Ancient Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion is an outstanding example of an historic vineyard landscape that has survived intact and in activity to the present day.
Criterion (iv): The intensive cultivation of grapes for wine production in a precisely defined region and the resulting landscape is illustrated in an exceptional way by the historic Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion.
The Committee expressed its appreciation for this nomination as it represents the cultural landscape typology introduced in 1992, in which the natural environment had been transformed to a landscape of monumental value.
|
Property |
Museumsinsel (Museum Island), Berlin |
|
Id. N° |
896 |
|
State Party |
Germany |
|
Criteria |
C (ii) (iv) |
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv).
Criterion (ii): The Berlin Museumsinsel is an unique ensemble of museum buildings, which illustrated the evolution of modern museum design over more than a century.
Criterion (iv): The art museum is a social phenomenon that owes its origins to the Age of Enlightenment and its extension to all people to the French Revolution. The Museumsinsel is the most outstanding example of this concept given material from and a symbolic central urban setting.
The Observer of Poland emphasized that in this type of properties it was essential to maintain not only the values of the monumental buildings, but also to maintain the integrity of the museum collections.
|
Property |
Wartburg Castle |
|
Id. N° |
897 |
|
State Party |
Germany |
|
Criteria |
C (iii) (vi) |
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iii) and (vi):
Criterion (iii): The Castle of Wartburg is an outstanding monument of the feudal period in Central Europe.
Criterion (vi): The Castle of Wartburg is rich in cultural associations, most notably its role as the place of exile of Martin Luther, who composed his German translation of the New Testament there. It is also a powerful symbol of German integration and unity.
The Observer of Poland pointed out that this inscription recognized the value of the restorations of the nineteenth century and the Observer of the Holy See stressed the importance of the Wartburg Castle for history and Christian spirituality (St. Elizabeth of Thuringen).
|
Property |
The Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns |
|
Id. N° |
941 |
|
State Party |
Greece |
|
Criteria |
C (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (vi) |
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (i),( ii), (iii),( iv) and (vi):
Criterion (i): The architecture and design Mycenae and Tiryns, such as the Lion Gate and the Treasury of Atreus and the walls of Tiryns, are outstanding examples of human creative genius.
Criterion (ii): The Mycenaean civilisation, as exemplified by Mycenae and Tiryns, had a profound effect on the development of classical Greek architecture and urban design, and consequently also on contemporary cultural forms.
Criterion (iii) and (iv): Mycenae and Tiryns represent the apogee of the Mycenaean civilization, which laid the foundations for the evolution of later European cultures.
Criterion (vi): Mycenae and Tiryns are indissolubly linked with the Homeric epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, the influence of which upon European literature and the arts has been profound for more than three millennia.
|
Property |
The Historic Centre (Chorá) with the Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Pátmos |
|
Id. N° |
942 |
|
State Party |
Greece |
|
Criteria |
C (iii) (iv) (vi) |
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iii), (iv) and (vi):
Criterion (iii): The town of Chorá on the Island of Pátmos is one of the few settlements in Greece that ha