The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/16/40.COM/7B.Add,
- Recalling Decision 39 COM 7B.41, adopted at its 39th session (Bonn, 2015),
- Regrets that the State Party did not submit a state of conservation report, as requested by the Committee;
- Notes the results from the 2016 Reactive Monitoring mission to the property and encourages the State Party to improve the state of conservation of the historic town and of the archaeological sites, and the lack of substantial progress achieved in the implementation of the Priority Action Plan adopted in 2014;
- Considers that the optimal administrative, financial and security conditions are not present at this time to ensure the safeguarding of all component parts of the property and the protection of its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV);
- Also considers that the property is threatened by both ascertained and potential danger, in accordance with paragraphs 177 to 179 of the Operational Guidelines;
- Decides to inscribe Old Towns of Djenné (Mali) on the List of World Heritage in Danger;
- Adopts the following provisional list of corrective measures for implementation within the next three years:
a) Protection, boundaries and buffer zones:
(i) Redefine the buffer zone taking into account identifiable natural elements and installing visible and resistant markers,
(ii) Re-examine protection for the Kaniana and Tonomba ancient city sites to control construction,
(iii) Undertake the necessary formalities to provide land titles to all four sites,
(iv) Reinforce surveillance at the sites and adequately protect areas where surface artefacts are concentrated,
b) Mitigation of erosion:
(i) Carry out a precise condition survey of the gullies prior to the implementation of anti-erosion measures,
(ii) Reinforce existing systems based on the technical study of hydrological dynamics and in consultation with an expert on soil protection,
c) Enhancement of sites:
(i) Update existing cartography to include all component parts and to identify visitation and use routes,
(ii) Update existing signage and install complementary panels where needed,
(iii) Utilise research information to increase awareness and promote the significance of these sites,
For the historic town:d) Protection, integrity and authenticity:
(i) Define an adequate buffer zone and clearly delimitate it to prevent further illegal and unplanned occupations,
(ii) Define conservation and maintenance regulations for the building stock at the historic town,
(iii) Develop a materials bank to facilitate access to materials to support earthen architecture maintenance actions by the local inhabitants,
(iv) Implement measures to address illegal occupations at the river banks,
e) Sanitation and waste management:
(i) Revitalise local sanitation services to improve controls at the neighbourhood level,
(ii) Install restriction and information panels at the river banks to assist in deterring illegal waste dumping,
Management system:
f) Develop, adopt and commence the implementation of a conservation and management plan for all the components at the property,
g) Finalise the adoption and commence the priority implementation of the developed urban regulatory measures,
h) Strengthen institutional frameworks and competences to enhance enforcement of regulatory measures and planning tools,
i) Secure resources to strengthen the activities of the Cultural Mission and provide logistic support for awareness-raising and promotion actions,
j) Allow for the definition and full operation of coherent and inclusive management arrangements, including an operational Management Committee and regular consultation with neighbourhood leaders, traditional, customary and religious authorities;
9. Calls upon the international community to support the State Party, in co-operation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, in any way possible for priority conservation, management measures and capacity building programmes;10. Requests the State Party, as soon as it is feasible, and in close consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to further develop the above-mentioned provisional list of corrective measures with an updated timeframe for their implementation, as well as a proposal for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
11. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2017, 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 41st session in 2017.