Decision 44 COM 7B.65

Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís (Costa Rica) (C 1453)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/21/44.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 42 COM 7B.36, adopted at its 42nd session (Manama, 2018),
3. Welcomes the ongoing efforts by the State Party in developing participatory management mechanisms with local communities and indigenous groups, and encourages the continuation of these initiatives;
4. Commends the State Party on the numerous initiatives related to education and outreach, particularly those related to local and indigenous communities and youth, as an important aspect of the sustainable conservation of the property and awareness-raising on cultural heritage in Costa Rica more broadly;
5. Also commends the State Party on the important improvements to the property’s interpretation, including new signage installations and the expansion of the Visitor Centre, as important steps towards improving visitor experience and appreciation of the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV);
6. Takes note that the approval of buffer zone regulations remains pending with the Osa Municipal Council, that the Risk and Disaster Management Plan is being finalized and that the increase of human and financial resources remains a significant challenge and, therefore, requests the State Party to finalize these pending issues in 2020 as indicated in its report and to notify the World Heritage Centre as soon as completed;
7. Takes note with appreciation of the efforts to formally establish a consolidated and multidisciplinary management unit for the property under the General Direction of the National Museum of Costa Rica, and of the establishment of a High-Level Commission to ensure its adequate protection;
8. Also takes note that there has been no decision taken for several years with regard to the feasibility of the Southern International Airport project, and that a Heritage Impact Assessment will be conducted if the project is to move forward,
9. Further takes note that the Diquis hydroelectric project has been indefinitely suspended by the responsible authorities and that all works related to the project have been halted;
10. Also requests the State Party to keep the World Heritage Centre informed about any changes in the status of these two projects, and to submit any relevant documentation and studies undertaken, in line with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
11. Further requests the State Party to provide further information on the nature and scale of the upgrades planned for the Palmar Sur regional airport located in close proximity to three of the property’s archaeological sites, in order to determine any possible impacts on the OUV, in line with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
12. Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2022, 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 46th session.