The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-12/36.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 35 COM 7B.130, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),
3. Reiterates its deep concern regarding the state of conservation of the property, in particular unaddressed issues including the efficacy of the management system, the risk of collapse of historic buildings in the Historic Centre and the potential impacts related to the Cinta Costera project;
4. Also recalls the report provided by the reactive monitoring mission of October 2010, and notes that the critical issues have not been comprehensively and sustainably addressed, and that some of the recommendations were discarded;
5. Also notes that the actions requested by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session on legal improvements and management issues are still in the planning phase, and requests the State Party to undertake as a matter of urgency, the implementation of the following actions:
a) Revise the draft Law as to reinforce the role of the institutions responsible for World Heritage protection in the decision-making process for any intervention at the World Heritage property,
b) Officially submit a comprehensive and legally-supported policy for the protection of the property and buffer zone, including the maritime area and the related enforcement of their regulatory measures,
c) Improve coordination on the decision-making process between the Directorate of Cultural Heritage and the Patronato of Panama Viejo to ensure the appropriate measures for the preservation of both components of the property,
d) Submit three printed and electronic copies of the updated Management Plan;
6. Welcomes the fact that work on the viaduct has not yet begun, in accordance with the decision taken by the Committee at its 35th session;
7. Further notes that the State Party has not fully complied with the requests expressed by the Committee in Decision 35 COM 7B.130 and considers that the continuation of the Cinta Costera III Maritime Viaduct project should be the subject of an impact study as to its Outstanding Universal Value, under the currently inscribed criteria;
8. Also requests the State Party to submit an updated version of the Management Plan according to the requirements made by the Committee in its Decision 35 COM 7B.130, as well as a comprehensive urban transportation traffic strategy, including alternative options for Cinta Costera III;
9. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2013, a report on the state of conservation of the property and on the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 37th session in 2013.