Decision 38 COM 7A.5

Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Palestine) (C 1433)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.27, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
3. Regrets that the State Party had not developed the overarching conservation strategy for the Church of the Nativity prior to the commencement of the restoration works and requests the State Party to provide such strategy based on the analysis of the church fabric and its historic, archaeological and architectural characteristics, prior to any future conservation works;
4. Notes the progress made towards the restoration of the roof of the Church of the Nativity but expresses its concern that this work is not being guided by a defined conservation approach;
5. Also requests the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to develop corrective measures, a timeframe for their implementation and a Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
6. Further requests the State Party to expedite the development of the management plan and provide an electronic and three printed copies of this plan for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;
7. Requests furthermorethe State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, 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 39th session in 2015;
8. Decides to retain the Birthplace of Jesus, Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Palestine) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.