Decision 29 COM 7A.8

Ichkeul National Park (Tunisia)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-05/29COM 7A,

2. Recalling its Decisions 28 COM 15A.9 and 27 COM 7(a) 8 respectively adopted at its 28th session (Suzhou, 2004) and its 27th session (UNESCO, Paris, 2003),

3. Takes note of the progress achieved in the ecological restoration of the property, as detailed in the scientific monitoring report submitted by the State Party;

4. Notes that the last two hydrological years (2002-2003 and 2003-2004) have provided very favourable climatic conditions for the rehabilitation of the park, allowing an adequate release of fresh water from the dams and resulting in the beginnings of the recovery of the ecosystem;

5. Commends the State Party of Tunisia for its commitment to the rehabilitation of the property;

6. Urges the State Party to report on the status of the management plan for the park and on the process of development of an autonomous and permanent management structure which would ensure an efficient implementation of this plan for the park;

7. Reiterates its request to the State Party to confirm officially its commitment to an average annual release of 80 to 120 million cubic metres of freshwater into the Ichkeul National Park, in view of consideration by the Committee, based on the outcomes of a monitoring mission, of the possible removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;

8. Requests the State Party to report on progress made on the state of conservation of the property by 1 February 2006, for examination by the Committee at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006);