Decision 42 COM 7B.53

Erbil Citadel (Iraq) (C 1437)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decisions 38 COM 8B.20 and 40 COM 7B.23, adopted at its 38th (Doha, 2014) and 40th (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016) sessions respectively,
3. Notes the positive results of the ‘Erbil Citadel Revitalization Project’ implemented by UNESCO in the framework of the Kurdistan Regional Government Funds-In-Trust;
4. Commends the State Party for continuing the actions undertaken in response to the World Heritage Committee’s recommendations at the time of the property’s inscription;
5. Encourages the State Party to continue with the implementation of the measures and activities already undertaken and to continue its fruitful engagement with national and international partners, so as to ensure the adequate conservation and management of the property, and prevent and limit the threats to its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV);
6. Requests the State Party to:
   1. Submit to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, concept schemes for the location and design of new constructions within the property and its buffer zone, in particular the proposed Kurdistan National Museum, before commitment is given with regards to their approval or construction,
   2. Continue with the juridical review to strengthen the management of the property, its buffer zone and setting and thereby safeguarding its OUV,
   3. Submit to the World Heritage Centre the results of the archaeological investigations for review by the Advisory Bodies in order to finalize the provisional Statement of OUV;
7. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2019, 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 44th session in 2020.