Decision 45 COM 7A.51

Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Afghanistan) (C 208 rev)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.3,
2. Recalling Decisions 42 COM 7A.1, 43 COM 7A.41 and 44 COM 7A.28 adopted at its 42nd (Manama, 2018), 43rd (Baku, 2019) and extended 44th (Fuzhou/online, 2021) sessions respectively,
3. Regrets that a state of conservation report was not submitted for the property;
4. Express its deep concern with regard to the current humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the difficult situation of the education and cultural sectors, and the challenges faced by the national and international communities, including the United Nations system, in implementing technical assistance;
5. Notes that the UNESCO/Japan Funds-in-Trust project “Sustainable Management of the Bamiyan World Heritage property – Preparing the removal of Bamiyan from the List of World Heritage in Danger”, the UNESCO Korean Funds-in-Trust project “The Bamiyan Cultural Centre”, the Italian Funds-in-Trust projects “Preservation and Promotion of the Bamiyan Valley through Culture-Oriented Sustainable Development” and “Local Community Empowerment and Preservation of Shahr-e Gholghola, the World Heritage site in Bamiyan” have contributed to some progress in achieving the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and requests that an updated report on these projects be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for technical review by the Advisory Bodies;
6. Considering the Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA), recommends that activities be focused on assistance to achieve the DSOCR, including the operational activities, revision of the Action Plan and timeline, as well as documentation and research activities;
7. Requests that details of the technical assignments and work plan concerning the property, as well as the rapid assessment of the state of conservation of the property be shared with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, and to ensure that the project be implemented in line with the corrective measures adopted in Decision 31 COM 7A.21;
8. Considering the prevailing situation in the country, also recommends that all stakeholders be informed about the technical requirements, as outlined by the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS, on the mitigation of adverse effects of the reported commercial activities in front of the western Buddha niche, the construction of the road in Tepe Almas near Shahr-i-Gholghola, the proposed revision of the ‘Bamiyan Energy Supply project’, and the possible reinstalment of the “Old Bazaar” destroyed in the 1990s; and also requests to comply fully with the provisions of Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines and not to take any decision that would be difficult to reverse before submitting detailed documentation to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies and obtaining the approval of the Committee;
9. Further requests that the elements suggested by ICOMOS for the revision of the Strategic Master Plan be taken into consideration in order to ensure a more holistic management approach that valorises the site as a cultural landscape, promoting the involvement of local communities and addressing the necessary modification of the buffer zones, in order to address the issue of uncontrolled urban development within the Bamiyan Valley which would place threats to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and the associated cultural assets;
10. Takes note with concern of the reported incidents at the property, notably concerning the storage facilities for artefacts in September 2021, the nonprofessional excavation activities near the top part of the Western Buddhas niche in January 2022, and the possible use of lands for commercial activities in archaeologically sensitive areas, and urges to respect the provisions of the international treaties ratified by Afghanistan, such as the 1954 Convention, 1970 Convention and 1972 Convention, as well as the 2015 UNESCO Recommendations on the Museums and Collections, and further recommends to:
    1. Ensure regular verification of the state of the storages and keep up proper inventories,
    2. Provide a report on the conservation status of all significant artefacts, including those housed at the Cultural Centre, following the assistance through UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund,
    3. Ensure the backfilling of the holes at the top of the Western Buddha niche,
    4. Closely monitor the commercial activities within the inscribed area and buffer zones,
    5. Carefully review the concept of reinstating the “Old Bazaar” destroyed in the 1990s at its original location, having regard to potential alternative locations, and appropriate design, materials, planning and management in place;
11. Thanks the international community for its support and urgent measures for the protection of cultural objects and cultural sites within the property;
12. Reaffirms its solidarity to the Afghan people, expresses again its strong commitment to safeguarding Afghanistan’s heritage, and reiterates its call to all concerned to observe the humanitarian law and international instruments relating to heritage, so that all the diversity in heritage that constitutes an integral part of Afghanistan’s history and culture can be preserved;
13. Requests moreover the submission to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, of 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;
14. Decides to retain Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Afghanistan) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.