Decision 40 COM 8B.11

Examination of nominations of natural properties to the World Heritage List

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Documents WHC/16/40.COM/8B.Add and WHC/16/40.COM/INF.8B2.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 39 COM 8B.5 adopted at its 39th session (Bonn, 2015),
3. Takes note of the progress made by the State Party in conducting consultations with concerned stakeholders in order to achieve the widest possible support for the nomination of the property;
4. Refers the nomination of the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, Thailand, back to the State Party, taking note of the strong potential for this property to meet criterion (x), in order to allow it to more fully address the concerns that have been raised by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights concerning Karen communities within the Kaeng Krachan National Park, including the implementation of a participatory process to resolve rights and livelihood concerns and to achieve a consensus of support for the nomination of the property that is fully consistent with the principle of free, prior and informed consent;
5. Encourages the State Party to consider nominating the property also under criterion (ix);
6. Also encourages the State Party to continue the commendable initiatives on future biological connectivity opportunities, including those between the nominated property and Thungyai - Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries in Thailand and, working in partnership with the State Party of Myanmar, between the nominated property and neighbouring transnational protected areas within the Taninthaya Forest Corridor in Myanmar;
7. Recommends that the State Party continue dialogue with the State Party of Myanmar to address concerns regarding the settlement of demarcation of the proposed nominated area;
8. Commends the State Party and partner NGOs for their increased efforts to address improved conservation management within the nominated property, including improved anti-poaching patrol systems, community engagement in Kui Buri National Park dealing with human/elephant conflict, and enhanced ecological research and monitoring, and further encourages the State Party to continue with these efforts.