W-Arly-Pendjari Complex

• Phosphate mining project
• Dam project

At its 27th session the Committee noted with concern the proposed construction of the Dyondyonga electricity dam on the Mekrou River, on the border between the Republics of Niger and Benin within the W National Park World Heritage property in Niger and extending into the proposed World Heritage property in Benin, deferred by the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee (April 2002). Furthermore, the Committee noted that the construction of a dam as well as the exploitation of a phosphate mine were serious potential threats to the integrity of the property. It encouraged Niger, as well as Benin and Burkina Faso, to co-operate with IUCN, “Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine” (UEMOA), Ramsar, the regional programme “Ecosystème protégés en Afrique Sahélienne” (ECOPAS) and the Centre with the view to seeking the most appropriate solution. The Committee further requested the authorities of Benin and Niger to provide the World Heritage Centre a detailed report of the proposed construction of a dam on the Mékrou River and on the exploitation of the phosphate mine, and deferred its decision on the inscription of the "W" National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger until the 28th session of the Committee, pending the responses of the two concerned States Parties and the outcome of any missions or meetings held with the States Parties.

In April 2004, the Centre received a copy of a letter from the Minister of Niger for Water, Environment and Desertification Control, responding to the concerns on "W" raised by the Committee. In the letter the Minister assured the Centre and other concerned partners that there will be neither phosphate exploitation nor the construction of the Mékrou Dam in "W" National Park without undertaking an independent evaluation of the environmental and social impacts, in conformity with international standards, in the application of the Law No. 98-56 of 29 December 1998 and within the framework of the application of decree No 2000-397/PRN/ME/LCD of 20 October 2000 concerning environmental management laws of Niger.

The State Party informed the Centre that in correspondence dated 18 November 2000 the "Orientation Council" (C.O.) of the ECOPAS regional programme noted the renunciation from participating in the dam construction by the Republic of Benin, and proposed the formulation of a recommendation for an alternative solution, which would satisfy the energy needs of the region.

As regards phosphate mining, the State Party of Niger informed the Centre that they are aware that mine feasibility studies have revealed the presence of phosphate in the Liptako Gourma area in part of "W" Park, but that there were never any intentions to exploit it within the property. In relation to this, IUCN reiterated its position that mining should not take place in any World Heritage property.

Ramsar has informed the World Heritage Centre that the proposed training workshop, funded by the World Heritage Fund, on Wetlands Inventory Methodologies to be organized by Ramsar, IUCN and the Centre will be held in “W” from 17 to 21 May 2004. During this workshop a monitoring exercise will be undertaken by the participants in W National Park, with regards to the issues raised by the World Heritage Committee.