The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-09/33.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 32 COM 7B.35, adopted at its 32nd session (Quebec City, 2008),
3. Commends the State Party of Costa Rica for its on-going management efforts and its systematic analysis of the conservation challenges to the property, and notes its report on the proposed follow-up actions relating to the World Heritage Committee's previous decisions, and urges it to implement these actions, namely:
a) Ensure that tenure and permitted lands uses for all lands within the property boundaries are clarified and communicated to relevant stakeholders,
b) Formulate and implement the strategy for long term funding of park rangers,
c) Strengthen the National Commission for the Management of La Amistad International Park and expand its scope of responsibilities, including ensuring participation of civil society,
d) Establish with greater detail, the status of various extractive industries and other infrastructure development proposals potentially affecting the property, to inform decision-making regarding the conservation of the property,
e) Redirect current monitoring initiatives so that information pertaining to indicators of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property can be better tracked,
f) Monitor land use changes within the property to identify and deal with incursions,
g) Provide information on the detailed analysis of all development proposals within the property and the procedure for addressing the threat to the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;
4. Notes with concern that the state of conservation report for the State Party of Panama lacks sufficient detail to be considered as a full response to issues raised in decision 32 COM 7B.35;
5. Reiterates its request to the State Party of Panama to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2010, a report containing full technical details on the progress made in the identification and implementation of mitigation measures necessary to maintain the migratory corridors of affected aquatic species of the Changuinola and Bonyic rivers, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 34th session in 2010;
6. Also reiterates its request to the States Parties to develop jointly, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, to be submitted to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2010, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 34th session in 2010;
7. Requests the States Parties of Costa Rica and Panama to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2011, a joint report, describing in detail progress made on the items set out in the World Heritage Committee decision 32 COM 7B.35, and, for the State Party of Costa Rica, on items 3.a) to 3.g) above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session in 2011.