Decision 44 COM 7A.49

Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger) (N 573)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/21/44.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 43 COM 7A.14, adopted at its 43rd session (Baku, 2019),
3. Takes note of the efforts made by the State Pary to implement corrective measures but considers that additional progress is needed in view of the extent of the threats to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property;
4. Notes with satisfaction the launch of the process to establish a Development and Management Plan (DMP), an emergency monitoring plan, and an Invasive Alien Species (IAS) strategy in consultation with IUCN and requests the State Party to finalize the various management documents and implement them urgently;
5. Reiterates its request that the State Party develop a Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and again encourages the State Party to seek advice from the World Heritage Centre and IUCN in this regard;
6. Thanks the donors who continue to support the conservation of the property, notably the Government of Norway through its contribution to the World Heritage Fund;
7. Reiterates its deepest concern that some of the characteristic species of the OUV are reported to be threatened, endangered or locally extinct, in particular the addax, and urges the State Party to develop a monitoring and recovery plan for the iconic antelope species in consultation with the Antelope Specialist Group of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC);
8. Notes the confirmation that no exploration or mining permits are located within or in the immediate vicinity of the property, and that permits granted for uranium, oil and gold are located between 100 and 400 km from the property and are subject to regulatory procedures, however, also recalling its concern about the increase in uranium, oil and gold exploration and mining permits in the vicinity of the property, as well as the continuation of illegal gold mining, also requests the State Party to:
   1. Provide a clear overview of the concessions around the property (location maps, concessions, permit details),
   2. Ensure that the impacts of development projects on the OUV of the property are assessed through Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) in accordance with the IUCN World Heritage Advice Note: Environmental Assessment,
   3. Submit these ESIAs to the World Heritage Centre for examination by IUCN before any approval of decision,
   4. Not grant any new oil and mining exploration or exploitation permits in the vicinity of the property without a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to assess the impacts on the OUV of the property, including the cumulative effects of such projects, in accordance with the IUCN Advice Note;
9. Regrets once again that the report submitted by the State Party does not provide detailed information on poaching, gold mining and logging in and around the property, and on actions implemented to counter these threats, and also reiterates its request that the State Party submit maps showing the location of the main threats identified, together with indications of their severity and extent;
10. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2022, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 45th session;
11. Decides to retain Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.