Decision 45 COM 7A.53

Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Micronesia (Federated States of)) (C 1503)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.30 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
3. Notes that progress to establish an effective management and protection system for the property and address the urgent pressures and threats affecting its state of conservation has been delayed by border and travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and welcomes the State Party’s assurances that these can soon be addressed;
4. Also welcomes the information that funds will be provided by the US Department of State through its Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation Large Grants Program to support a two-year implementation programme;
5. Notes with concern however that, despite the efforts of the State Party and its partners, the processes affecting the state of conservation of the property have yet to be effectively addressed;
6. Reiterates its request to the State Party to continue its work on previously identified matters of high priority, including:
   1. Continuing the implementation of the urgent vegetation management actions and clearing mangroves from the main canals, following the virtual training programmes,
   2. Appointing and establishing a long-term commitment to the post of ‘Property Manager’,
   3. Finalising and approving legislation LB392 to provide legal protection to the property and establish the Nan Madol Trust,
   4. Finalising the Master Plan for the Sustainable Conservation of the Nan Madol World Heritage Site, the site Management Plan and the Sustainable Tourism Plan,
   5. Establishing processes for Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) as part of the management system,
   6. Submitting a draft Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), a set of corrective measures and a timeframe for their completion, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;
7. Notes with satisfaction that work has commenced on the Nan Madol Visitor Centre with support from the Government of Japan, and in line with the findings of the ICOMOS Technical Review;
8. Expresses concern that the development of a proposed tourism resort on Nahnningi Island, within the buffer zone of the property has continued before an HIA was prepared, and that the issues raised in the 2019 ICOMOS Technical Review have yet to be addressed, and further reiterates its request that the State Party ensure that construction is halted and that an HIA is realised, in conformity with the new Guidance for Impact Assessment in a World Heritage context, developed in collaboration between the Advisory Bodies and the World Heritage Centre, and provided to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies before work resumes;
9. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, in accordance with Paragraphs 172 and 118bis of the Operational Guidelines, detailed information on any proposed and ongoing projects, including HIAs carried out according to the aforementioned Guidance, for review by the Advisory Bodies prior to the approval and/or implementation of any project;
10. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, 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;
11. Decides to retain Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Micronesia (Federated States of)) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.