Decision 42 COM 7A.13

Old Towns of Djenné (Mali) (C 116rev)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.28, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
3. Notes with satisfaction the projects carried out by the State Party in the implementation of the corrective measures, in particular the rehabilitation of degraded or dilapidated houses and the securization of the archaeological sites, the measures to combat water erosion, development of a section of the banks, as well as enhancement and awareness-raising measures;
4. Congratulates the State Party for the development of the new 2018-2020 Management and Conservation Plan and the creation of a Management Committee;
5. Also notes with appreciation the financial support of the Spanish Developing Cooperation Agency (AECID) to carry out an architectural diagnostic and solar electrification of the Grand Mosque of Djenné and welcomes the granting of International Assistance to the State Party for rehabilitation work on the monumental houses and the Moroccan Palace;
6. Expresses its concern about the continuing problems linked notably to the degradation of the ancient urban fabric and the negative impacts affecting the buildings, the effects of water erosion, and encroachment of the archaeological sites that suffer from clandestine and superficial excavations;
7. Recommends that the State Party accelerate the definition of the conservation and maintenance regulations for the buildings of the historic Town (corrective measure), including urban standards for the reconstruction of dilapidated houses, and encourages, through the Cultural Mission of Djenné, the pursuit of the awareness-raising and information efforts of the local population with a view to slowing down the degradation of the ancient urban fabric, lessen the negative impacts on the buildings, and reduce encroachment of the archaeological sites;
8. Launches an appeal to the international community to support the efforts of the State Party and contribute towards the implementation of the second phase of the Programme for the rehabilitation of cultural heritage and safeguarding of the ancient manuscripts of Mali;
9. Encourages the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to explore the possibility of setting up a short-term distance support programme, in order to  allow dialogue on capacity building and on drafting the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
10. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above points, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
11. Decides to retain the Old Towns of Djenné (Mali) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.