The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-09/33.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decisions 30 COM 7B.77, 31 COM 7A.27 and 32 COM 7A.26, adopted at its 30th (Vilnius, 2006), 31st (Christchurch, 2007) and 32nd (Quebec City, 2008) sessions respectively, and in particular its concern that the construction project of the Waldschlösschen Bridge would irreversibly damage the Outstanding Universal Value and integrity of the property in accordance with Paragraph 179 (b) of the Operational Guidelines,
3. Also recalling the report provided by the reinforced monitoring mission of February 2008 confirming that the current bridge project would irreversibly damage the Outstanding Universal Value and integrity of the property,
4. Further recalling that, according to Article 6.1 of the Convention, the properties inscribed on the World Heritage List constitute World Heritage, the protection of which is the duty of the international community as a whole and recalling further the duty of the international community to assist and to cooperate with States Parties in their endeavour to conserve such heritage,
5. Recalling as well that States Parties have the obligation under the Convention to protect and conserve the World Cultural and Natural Heritage situated on their territory, notably to ensure that effective and active measures are taken for the protection and conservation of such heritage,
6. Notes with deep regret that the State Party was unable to fulfil its obligations defined in the Convention, in particular the obligation to protect and conserve the Outstanding Universal Value, as inscribed, of the World Heritage property of the Dresden Elbe Valley;
7. Regrets that the entreaties of the World Heritage Committee at its 30th, 31st, and 32nd sessions failed to protect the property;
8. Also regrets the fact that the authorities have not halted the project, detrimental to the Outstanding Universal Value of the property and that the damage already caused has not been reversed;
9. Decides to delete the Dresden Elbe Valley (Germany) from the World Heritage List.
10. Notes however the commitment of the State Party to fully explore and exhaust all options towards preserving the Outstanding Universal Value inherent in elements of the Dresden Elbe Valley,
11. Considers that a new nomination for the heritage of Dresden which justifies Outstanding Universal Value could be envisaged, governed by the provisions of Section III of the Operational Guidelines.