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State of Conservation Nan Madol: Ceremonial ... 2017

Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia

Micronesia (Federated States of)
Factors affecting the property in 2017*
  • Erosion and siltation/ deposition
  • Impacts of tourism / visitor / recreation
  • Legal framework
  • Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
Threats identified at the time of inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in 2016:
  • Lack of legal framework (legislation LB392 not yet passed and implementated)
  • Management system not extended enough
  • Lack of a risk preparedness strategy as well as of a comprehensive tourism strategy into the management plan
  • Need to remove silt from the waterways without jeopardizing possible cultural layers on the sea floor
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
  • Management system/Management Plan
  • Management activities (Overgrowth of vegetation, Stonework collapse)
  • Storms (Effects of storm surge)
  • Erosion and siltation/ deposition
Corrective Measures for the property

In progress

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures

In progress

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2017

Total amount provided: USD 120,000 for the preparation of a nomination file and the management plan for Nan Madol by the UNESCO/Japan Funds-in-Trust

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2017
Requests approved: 1 (from 2017-2017)
Total amount approved : 30,000 USD
2017 Initial non-invasive clearing of vegetation overgrowth ... (Approved)   30,000 USD
Missions to the property until 2017**
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2017

On 31 January 2017, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, in accordance with the request of the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016), when the property was simultaneously inscribed on the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger.

The report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1503/documents, informs on the following:

  • New Legislation: Work is continuing to pass and implement Legislation LB 392 to create a Nan Madol Historic Preservation Trust, with ownership and management under traditional oversight by the Nahnmwarki Chief with a Board of traditional authority. The adoption of the Law has been postponed to April/May 2017;
  • Management: The State Party is in the process of hiring professionals for the management of the property and it is anticipated that a designated property manager trained in cultural heritage will assist in improving the current management plan and in developing a conservation plan, a risk preparedness strategy and a tourism strategy;
  • Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR): To augment national resources, advice has been offered by international partners in France, Japan and the United States of America (USA). An archaeologist from France has visited and submitted a report. A team from Japan was due to visit in February and one from the USA thereafter. The three combined reports will be submitted to the World Heritage Centre. It is suggested that these reports will help to define the draft DSOCR to be agreed by the Reactive Monitoring mission in 2017;
  • The State Party has invited a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to the property in 2017;
  • UNESCO Recommendation on Museums: A museum committee has been formed and is working on developing a museum master plan. This committee is actively seeking funding to support the construction of a museum.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2017

The support offered by the international partners (France, Japan and the USA) is welcomed. The report submitted by the archaeologist from France has provided a valuable overview of the challenges to be addressed in relation to archaeological remains, but details have not yet been provided on the scope of the work of the other two teams. In addition, an International Assistance request for the initial cleaning of the overgrowth of vegetation and to draft a Conservation Plan for the property was approved on 21 March 2017.

It will clearly be essential to receive all three reports and consider them before the Reactive Monitoring mission requested by the Committee visits the property. The DSOCR will need to be based on clear assessments of the archaeological resources and their structural stability, as well as on an outline Conservation Strategy and an outline Master Plan showing how the major conservation project might be phased over many years. Once such details are in place and the resources needed for this major project have been identified, further support will need to be garnered from the international community to help deliver this extensive and highly complex multidisciplinary project. It will also be desirable that this project be carried out slowly over several years and with as much involvement as possible of local expertise, so that the potential offers for training and promotional benefits can be fully utilised.

While the DSOCR should reflect the long timeframe required to stabilise the extensive stone remains, it should define a stage when a degree of stability combined with a clear road map which could allow the property to be removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger have been reached, even though more work will still need to be undertaken before the overall project is completed.

Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2017
41 COM 7A.56
Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Micronesia, Federated States of) (C 1503)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 40 COM 8B.22, adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016);
  3. Welcomes the support extended by the international partners (France, Japan and the United States of America) in offering expert resources to the State Party to work on the state of conservation of the property;
  4. Notes that the State Party will submit a consolidated report to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, on the outcomes of the three visits by international experts;
  5. Also notes that the State Party has invited a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to visit the property in 2017 and considers that this mission must have the benefit of the report of the international experts;
  6. Further notes that the mission will consider a draft Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and that this should aim to reflect both the long timeframe needed for the major project to stabilize the extensive stone remains, and the need to define a point at which the main threats have been mitigated to an acceptable degree before the overall project has been completed;
  7. Regrets that work on adopting legislation LB 392 has been delayed until April/May 2017 and urges the State Party to make progress on this matter so that a Nan Madol Historic Preservation Trust can be set up and become operational;
  8. Notes furthermore that efforts to appoint cultural heritage staff are ongoing, but that progress on developing management, conservation, risk management and a tourism strategy will only be achieved once a property manager has been appointed, and also urges the State Party to proceed with this appointment as soon as possible;
  9. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, 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 42nd session in 2018;
  10. Decides to retain Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Micronesia (Federated States of)) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Read more
41 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/17/41.COM/7A, WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add and WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add.2),
  2. Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
    • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 41 COM 7A.54)
    • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 41 COM 7A.55)
    • Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 41 COM 7A.2)
    • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 41 COM 7A.23)
    • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.4)
    • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 41 COM 7A.24)
    • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.6)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.7)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.8)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.9)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.10)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.11)
    • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 41 COM 7A.32)
    • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.3)
    • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 41 COM 7A.18)
    • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 41 COM 7A.33)
    • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 41 COM 7A.34)
    • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 41 COM 7A.35)
    • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 41 COM 7A.36)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 41 COM 7A.37)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 41 COM 7A.38)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 41 COM 7A.39)
    • Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 41 COM 7A.40)
    • Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 41 COM 7A.41)
    • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 41 COM 7A.14)
    • Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 41 COM 7A.28)
    • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 41 COM 7A.29)
    • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 41 COM 7A.30)
    • Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 41 COM 7A.56)
    • Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 41 COM 7A.15)
    • Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 41 COM 7A.42)
    • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 41 COM 7A.43)
    • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 41 COM 7A.25)
    • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 41 COM 7A.26)
    • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.16)
    • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 41 COM 7A.21)
    • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 41 COM 7A.19)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 41 COM 7A.44)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 41 COM 7A.45)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 41 COM 7A.46)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 41 COM 7A.47)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 41 COM 7A.48)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 41 COM 7A.49)
    • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 41 COM 7A.31)
    • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 41 COM 7A.22)
    • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.17)
    • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.1)
    • Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 41 COM 7A.57)
    • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 41 COM 7A.27)
    • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 41 COM 7A.51)
    • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 41 COM 7A.52)
    • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 41 COM 7A.53)
      Read more
      Draft Decision: 41 COM 7A.56  

      The World Heritage Committee,

      1. Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A,
      2. Recalling Decision 40 COM 8B.22, adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016);
      3. Welcomes the support extended by the international partners (France, Japan and the United States of America) in offering expert resources to the State Party to work on the state of conservation of the property;
      4. Notes that the State Party will submit a consolidated report to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, on the outcomes of the three visits by international experts;
      5. Also notes that the State Party has invited a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to visit the property in 2017 and considers that this mission must have the benefit of the report of the international experts;
      6. Further notes that the mission will consider a draft Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and that this should aim to reflect both the long timeframe needed for the major project to stabilize the extensive stone remains, and the need to define a point at which the main threats have been mitigated to an acceptable degree before the overall project has been completed;
      7. Regrets that work on adopting legislation LB 392 has been delayed until April/May 2017 and urges the State Party to make progress on this matter so that a Nan Madol Historic Preservation Trust can be set up and become operational;
      8. Notes furthermore that efforts to appoint cultural heritage staff are ongoing, but that progress on developing management, conservation, risk management and a tourism strategy will only be achieved once a property manager has been appointed, and also urges the State Party to proceed with this appointment as soon as possible;
      9. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, 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 42nd session in 2018;
      10. Decides to retain Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Micronesia (Federated States of)) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
      Next 2018
      Report year: 2017
      Micronesia (Federated States of)
      Date of Inscription: 2016
      Category: Cultural
      Criteria: (i)(iii)(iv)(vi)
      Danger List (dates): 2016-present
      Documents examined by the Committee
      WHC/17/41.COM/7A
      SOC Report by the State Party
      Report (2017) .pdf
      arrow_circle_right 41COM (2017)
      Exports
      Next 2018

      * : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
      Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

      ** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.


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