Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís

• Governance
• Interpretative and visitation facilities (provide visitor interpretation and future accessibility to components not yet open to the public)
• Human resources (guardians and managers)
• Housing (future urban development)
• Water infrastructure (discussion on the construction of a hydropower dam)
• Air transport infrastructure
• Financial resources
• Management systems/ management plan

Total amount granted: USD 95,260 for the project “Engaging youth from local communities and indigenous peoples in participatory management and conservation of the Precolumbian Chiefdom Settlements with Stone Spheres of the Diquís” (German Foreign Office), currently under implementation

On 3 December 2018, the State Party submitted an intermediate report in response to Decision 42 COM 7B.36 and on 4 December 2019, a state of conservation report, which is available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1453/documents, providing the following information:

• The establishment of joint management mechanisms with local communities is progressing, including through a new two-year project with the University of Costa Rica, but will require additional time, given inherent administrative and legal challenges. Specific initiatives are underway with the Curré and Boruca indigenous communities to strengthen ties with the property and to provide support for their own conservation and museum initiatives;
• There are many educational and outreach initiatives aiming to improve inter-institutional links between the property and local communities and organizations. Several are focused on youth engagement in heritage protection, including a new participatory project financed by the Government of Germany;
• Improvements to interpretation of the four archaeological sites were completed, including the installation of new signage and the expansion of the Visitor Centre at Finca 6, which provides additional exhibition and educational spaces;
• The proposed specific regulation for the buffer zones presented to the Osa Municipal Council will require further consultation with landowners, and remains under legal review since 2018;
• Significant advances were made in the development of the Risk and Disaster Management Plan for the property, which will be finalized and presented for formal approval in 2020;
• Hiring of additional staff remains restricted due to national policies;
• A new management unit is being created under the General Direction of the National Museum of Costa Rica to define the property’s optimal management structure;
• The Southern International Airport project remains in the feasibility stage and a decision has not been taken regarding its future; the completion of a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) is pending such decision. Meanwhile, the government is investing in upgrading the existing regional airport Palmar Sur located in the Diquís delta;
• The Diquís hydroelectric project was indefinitely cancelled by the responsible authorities in November 2018, and all activity related to the project has been suspended;
• A High-Level Commission and interinstitutional technical team were created by Presidential Decree in 2018 to ensure the integral management of the property, and have since held several meetings;
• A detailed timeline outlines the status of relevant actions, responsible institutions and expected deadlines for completion of pending conservation and management issues. All are expected to be finalized by 2020 and are included as part of the property’s updated Management Plan;
• Archaeological research and conservation works on the stone spheres continue, and benefit from a cooperation program with Mexico and the involvement of universities in both countries.

The two comprehensive reports submitted since the last Committee Decision clearly demonstrate the State Party’s commitment to address the pending conservation and management challenges of the property in a thorough and timely manner.

The State Party should be encouraged to continue its efforts to establish joint management mechanisms with local and indigenous communities. Meanwhile, the many diverse and dynamic educational and outreach activities focused on strengthening links with local and indigenous communities and youth are commendable. Ongoing research and conservation works have also positively contributed to the sites’ preservation and are shared with local communities and students through regular visits. Combined with the recent improvements to visitation facilities and experience, including with new signage, and ongoing conservation efforts in the four archaeological sites, the State Party has shown remarkable progress in establishing the property as a reference for cultural heritage recognition and protection in Costa Rica.

Nevertheless, continued efforts will be needed to:

• Finalize and implement a suitable regulatory plan for the buffer zones, which continues to experience delays;
• Finalize the Risk and Disaster Management Plan; and
• Strengthen the human and financial resources dedicated to the property’s long-term conservation and management.

In this regard, the efforts to formally establish a consolidated and multidisciplinary management unit under the General Direction of the National Museum of Costa Rica is a welcome initiative. Likewise, the creation of a High-Level Commission and interinstitutional team for the property is much appreciated, as it commits relevant institutions at the highest level to ensure its protection.

Considering that the Southern International Airport project has been on hold for several years and an HIA still pending, and that the Diquis hydroelectric project has been indefinitely cancelled, it will be important for the State Party to keep the World Heritage Centre informed on the future of these projects, and submit to the World Heritage Centre any relevant documentation and studies for evaluation by the Advisory Bodies. Meanwhile, given the close proximity of the Palmar Sur regional airport to three of the four archaeological sites in the Diquis delta, it is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to provide additional information on the nature and scale of the upgrades planned, in order to assess any potential impacts on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).