The Chairperson drew the attention of the Committee to the two main documents of relevance to their deliberations. WHC-99/CONF.205/5 entitled "Report on the state of conservation of Kakadu National Park, Australia" provided a summary of information and deliberations concerning Kakadu up until the date of finalization of the document at the end of May. WHC-99/CONF.205/INF.4 included the record of the deliberations of the twenty-third session of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee (5-10 July 1999).
Sites: Kakadu National Park
The Chairperson reminded Committee members that a mission was sent to Kakadu National Park in late 1998, at the request of the twenty-second session of the Bureau in June 1998. The mission was led by the former Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, Professor Francioni of Italy. Professor Francioni reported on the mission at the twentysecond session of the Committee in Kyoto in 1998.
Sites: Kakadu National Park
The mission report (WHC-99/CONF.205/INF.3A) focused primarily on ascertained and potential dangers to the World Heritage values of Kakadu National Park posed by the Jabiluka mining proposal, and presented a total of 16 recommendations.
Sites: Kakadu National Park
3 EXT.COM XI.1
Decision of the Third Extraordinary Session of the World Heritage Committee concerning Kakadu National Park, Australia
The Committee,(a) Emphasizes the importance of Articles 4, 5, 6, 7 and 11 of the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention. In particular the Committee emphasizes Article 6 (1) which states that:Whilst fully respecting the sovereignty of the States on whose territory the cultural and natural heritage (...) is situated, and without prejudice to property right provided by national legislation, the States Parties to this Convention recognize that such heritage constitutes a world heritage for whose protection it is the duty of the international community as a whole to cooperate.(b) Recalls that ...
Sites: Kakadu National Park
3 EXT.COM X1.2
Decision of the Third Extraordinary Session of the World Heritage Committee concerning Kakadu National Park, Australia
The Committee,(a) Recognizes, with appreciation, that the Australian Government, Australian Supervising Scientist, advisory bodies (IUCN, ICOMOS and ICCROM) and independent scientific panel (ISP) established by the International Council of Science (ICSU) have provided the reports requested by the twenty-second session of the Committee (Kyoto, 1998);(b) Acknowledges that there are indications that a new dialogue between the Mirrar Aboriginal people and the Australian Government has begun in relation to issues concerning the Jabiluka uranium mine and mill. The Committee considers this to be ...
Sites: Kakadu National Park
3 EXT.COM XI.3
Decision of the Third Extraordinary Session of the World Heritage Committee concerning Kakadu National Park, Australia
With consideration of 1 and 2 above, the Committee will remain vigilant in reviewing and assessing the progress made by the Australian Government. To this end the Committee requests that the Australian Government submit a progress report on the following issues by 15 April 2000 for examination by the twenty-fourth session of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee:(a) progress made with cultural mapping of the Jabiluka Mineral Lease and the Boyweg-Almudj site and its boundaries and the completion of the cultural heritage management plan with the necessary co-operation of the Mirrar, ...
Sites: Kakadu National Park
3 EXT.COM XI.4
Decision of the Third Extraordinary Session of the World Heritage Committee concerning Kakadu National Park, Australia
To resolve the remaining scientific issues, such as those raised in the ISP report, the Committee asks ICSU to continue the work of the ISP (with the addition of any additional members) to assess, in co-operation with the supervising Scientist and IUCN, the Supervising Scientist's response to the ISP report. The report of the ISP's assessment should be submitted to the World Heritage Centre by 15 April 2000 for examination by the twenty-fourth session of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 2000.
Sites: Kakadu National Park
The Committee elected Mr. Abdelaziz Touri (Morocco) as Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee and Ms. Anne Lammila (Finland) as Rapporteur. The Vice-Presidents elected were: Australia, Greece, Hungary, Mexico, and Zimbabwe.
The twelfth session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was held in Paris, at UNESCO Headquarters on 28 and 29 October 1999 during the thirtieth session of the General Conference.
One hundred and thirty-eight States Parties to the Convention were represented at this meeting.
The representatives of the three advisory bodies to the World Heritage Convention (ICCROM, ICOMOS, IUCN) also participated in the twelfth General Assembly of States Parties.
In accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the ...
5. In his opening address, the representative of the Director-General, Mr Crespo-Toral, Assistant Director-General for Culture, spoke of the incontestable success of the Convention which has been ratified by 157 States, and the World Heritage List which now includes 582 cultural and natural properties. He stressed the fact that the List does not yet include all the categories of properties, notably living traditions and modes of land-use – which determine the material and spiritual life of human groups and their relationships with their environment. He also evoked the categories of ...
9. The General Assembly elected by acclamation H.E. Mr L.J. Hanrath (The Netherlands) as President of the General Assembly, the representatives of Grenada, India and Yemen as Vice Presidents, and Mr I. Monsi (Benin) as Rapporteur. 10. In his speech, the President of the General Assembly promised that he will do his very best to make the twelfth General Assembly a success which would be paramount to the prestige of the Convention. He recalled that it is the most visible activity of UNESCO. He referred to the problems which could jeopardise its success mainly: the growing number of ...
The agenda was adopted without amendments.
14. The President welcomed Israel as the 158th State Party. He asked if the Committee, composed of only 21 members, could continue to orient the implementation of the Convention in the name of the growing number of States Parties. He expressed his personal opinion that the time had come to study the possibility of increasing the number of representatives of States Parties within the Committee.
15. He referred to the fundamental issue of the representativity of the List and to the ongoing discussions (since 1992) to improve the existing imbalances in the framework of the Global Strategy. ...
24. The representative of the Bureau of the Comptroller presented Document WHC-99/CONF.206/3a concerning the statement of accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period 1996-1997, certified by the Auditor General, as well as the accounts of the Fund for the year 1998 approved by the Comptroller, and the tables included in this document. The General Assembly approved the accounts for 1996-1997 and took note of the 1998 accounts.
The Delegate of Thailand asked for an explication on the amount of the expenditure mentioned in Table 1.1 entitled “Table of funds engaged and ...
25. The representative of the Bureau of the Comptroller presented document WHC-99/CONF.206/3b.rev giving the state of mandatory and voluntary contributions to the World Heritage Fund as at 22 October 1999. He then informed the General Assembly of all the other voluntary contributions and funds in trust received in 1999 by the World Heritage Centre. The Deputy Director of the Centre then announced the list of the other contributions expected, including the financing of the posts in the framework of the programme of associate experts.
26. The representative of the Bureau of the ...
12 GA 29
Determination of an amount of the contributions to the World Heritage Fund in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 of the Convention
29. In accordance with item 7 of the agenda, the General Assembly unanimously decided that the amount of mandatory contributions to the World Heritage Fund for the period 2000-2001 would be maintained at 1 percent of contributions made by States Parties of the Regular Programme of UNESCO, according to article 16, paragraph 1 of the Convention, as had been decided by previous General Assemblies.
30. Before introducing this point, the President referred to the notes sent to UNESCO delegations by France and Italy and wished to give the floor to the heads of the delegations of these countries so they could present their position. The Delegate of Lebanon, referring to Article 11 of the Rules of Procedure, raised a point of procedure relating to Resolutions and Amendments. The President then tabled working document WHC-99/CONF.206/5.
31. He recalled that at its twenty-second session, the World Heritage Committee inscribed this item on the provisional agenda of the twenty-third ...
49. Under item 9 of the agenda, the General Assembly was called upon to elect seven members of the World Heritage Committee, to replace the following seven members whose mandate would expire at the end of the thirtieth session of the General Conference: Brazil, France, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Niger, United States of America. The list of candidates was read out to the General Assembly: Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Egypt, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Mongolia, Portugal, Slovakia, South Africa, Tunisia, Uganda, United Kingdom, ...
54. The Director of the Centre tabled document WHC-99/CONF.206/INF.7, and referred to the decision of the twenty-third session of the Bureau to submit the following draft resolution concerning the Centre’s needs and resources to the twelfth General Assembly for it to take note.
55. The General Assembly took note of the draft resolution addressed to the Director-General.
«The Bureau of the World Heritage Committee
Noting that the true nature of the functioning of the Convention concerning the protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage implies a regular growth in the annual ...
56. The President thanked the Secretariat, the tellers and the interpreters for their efficient work. He noted that the States had adopted a resolution of historical importance concerning the ways and means to ensure a representative World Heritage List, the implementation of which would be determinant for the future of the Convention. He requested the States Parties to take into account at a national level the commitments they had just made. He then declared that this twelfth General Assembly had been a success, and closed the session.
The Bureau noted that state of conservation reports of three of the fifteen natural heritage properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, namely Srebarna Nature Reserve (Bulgaria), the Everglades National Park and Yellowstone National Park (United States of America) are due by 15 September 1999 and will be submitted to the twenty-third ordinary session of the Committee, to be convened from 29 November to 4 December 1999 in Marrakesh, Morocco. The Bureau examined the state of conservation reports on the following twelve natural heritage sites included in the List of World ...
The Bureau recalled that uncontrolled poaching by armed groups had led to the death of four members of the Park staff in 1997, decimated more than 80% of the Park's wildlife populations and brought tourism to a halt. The Committee, at its twenty-first session (Naples, 1997), had welcomed the State Party’s intention to assign site management responsibilities to a private Foundation and had requested the Centre and IUCN to contact the Government and the Foundation to prepare a detailed state of conservation report and a rehabilitation plan for the site. The Bureau noted with concern ...
23 BUR IV.A.3
Garamba National Park; Kahuzi Biega National Park; Okapi Faunal Reserve; Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
The Committee and the Bureau have expressed serious concerns with regard to the state of conservation of these four sites at their annual sessions as the eastern parts of the country have become increasingly engulfed in war since 1994. Hopes for peace in the latter half of 1998 were short-lived as renewed fighting spread to all parts of eastern DRC.
The Bureau recalled that the Committee, at its last session (Kyoto, 1998), had requested the Centre and IUCN to consult with ICCN (Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature) and international conservation NGOs to estimate the cost ...
The Bureau recalled that the Committee, at its last session (Kyoto, 1998) was informed that the construction of the Guamote-Macos road was the main threat to this Park and an EIA had not been conducted. Construction has been slow but very destructive of the environment. Only a small section of the road is inside the World Heritage site; the remainder of the road forms the Park’s southern boundary. The Committee noted that, in the latter half of 1998, economic constraints had led to a halt in road construction activities and some positive developments with regard to the state of ...
Sites: Sangay National Park
The Bureau recalled that the regional authorities in Bahir Dar, where this site is located, disagreed with the Committee’s decision to include this site in the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1996. Since then the Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Ethiopia, UNESCO Office in Addis Ababa and the Centre have continued to inform the Bahir Dar authorities on the meaning and implications of the Committee’s decision to include Simen National Park in the List of World Heritage in Danger. At its last session (Kyoto, 1998), the Committee noted that the responsibilities for ...
Sites: Simien National Park
The Bureau recalled that the Committee, at its last session (Kyoto, 1998), had observed that despite a 2-3 year effort, the establishment of a foundation or a trust fund for the conservation of Mt. Nimba appeared increasingly unlikely to succeed in the near future. The Committee had noted that the Permanent Executive Secretary of the MAB National Committee for Guinea had informed the Centre that the Nimba Mining Company (NIMCO) had been dissolved by the Government and no other enterprise had been created to replace it. Agreeing with IUCN’s observation that information on the state ...
The Committee, at its last session (Kyoto, 1998), had recalled that the State Party is in the process of implementing an eleven-point corrective action plan for this site since 1996. A management plan for the site is being elaborated as part of a project financed by GTZ-KFW (Germany) and supported by a contribution of US$ 30,000 from the Fund. The Committee learned that a proposed hydroelectric development project (Patuca II), to be implemented near the Reserve, could open new access roads to the Reserve, reduce downstream water flow and quality, and result in the loss of scenic and ...
The Bureau recalled that the Committee, at its last session (Kyoto, 1998), had learnt that the implementation of the rehabilitation plan was progressing satisfactorily. The Committee also learned that the construction of ranger posts and staff housing using the second instalment of US$ 90,000 had been delayed due to adverse climatic conditions in the area throughout 1998. The Committee was informed that, while security conditions in and around Manas had improved, the threat of insurgency still prevailed and that militants often traversed the Sanctuary. Nevertheless, the Committee noted ...
Sites: Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
The Bureau recalled that the Committee had recommended (Naples, 1997), a mission to this site to evaluate the state of conservation and to determine whether the site could be removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger. At its last session (Kyoto, 1998), the Committee had noted the findings of the Centre/State Party/IUCN site mission (September-October 1998), and of previous missions of IUCN-Niger which indicated that the numbers of most wildlife species are recovering. The flora, except in some valleys where they seem to be over-used by local people, is mostly intact. Species like ...
The Bureau recalled that, at its last session (June 1998), while being concerned about the feasibility of the effective rehabilitation of Ichkeul, it had urged the State Party to take all necessary measures to ensure rapid and effective implementation of the rehabilitation programme for Ichkeul. The Bureau had also recommended an expert mission to the site. The mission was intended to give due consideration to the possibility for developing an improved rehabilitation programme for Ichkeul to retain its status as a World Heritage site and to allow the State Party sufficient time for the ...
Sites: Ichkeul National Park
The Bureau, having examined the state of conservation report of the site and upon considering the additional information provided by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS and members of the Bureau, commended the exemplary work being carried out by the Authority for the Protection of the Site and Development of the Region of Angkor (APSARA) and the International Co-ordination Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Area of Angkor (ICC).
The Bureau noted that some one hundred on-going projects are being implemented by more than a dozen countries and ...
Sites: Angkor
The Bureau took note of the progress made in the preparation of the five-year conservation plan. It will evaluate the progress after two years in order to assess if it can recommend the Committee to delete the site from the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Bureau recommended that the Committee at its twenty-third session, endorse this procedure. Moreover, the Bureau invited the Omani authorities to increase their financial contribution for the missions to enable the team of experts to continue assisting the national authorities at the site in implementing the ...
Sites: Bahla Fort
ICOMOS presented a report on the conditions of the cultural World Heritage properties in Central America following the passage of Hurricane Mitch in October/November 1998. The report was prepared by an ICOMOS expert following a recent mission to the sites. ICOMOS provided information on five cultural sites:
Joya de Ceren (El Salvador): The protective roofs proved to be inadequate to protect the excavated areas of this site. Prolonged soaking of the volcanic soil resulted in rapid plant and fungal growth on the excavated structures. The expert recommended preventive action and the full ...
At its twenty-first session (Naples, 1997), the Committee was informed by the Australian authorities of the rigorous environmental conditions set for the development activities in the Hinchinbrook region and of other measures implemented to strengthen the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef. At its twenty-second session (Kyoto, 1998), the Committee noted that the Australian authorities had acted on the findings of the financial review of the GBRMPA (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority) to further strengthen the conservation of the site. In addition, the Committee requested the ...
Sites: Great Barrier Reef
At its twenty-second session the Bureau was informed that a petroleum exploration permit had been granted by the State Government of West Australia (WA) for an area located within the World Heritage site. The Australian Observer assured the Bureau that no development that threatened the World Heritage values of the site would be allowed to take place. But IUCN was concerned about the granting of prospecting licences by State Governments for locations within World Heritage areas, and urged closer liaison between Commonwealth and State Governments on this matter. At its twenty-second ...
Sites: Shark Bay, Western Australia
The Bureau, at its twenty-second session learned that the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment had determined that clearing of vegetation that may have occurred within this property did not place the World Heritage values of the site at risk. At its twenty-second extraordinary session (Kyoto, 1998), the Bureau was informed that the arrangements for the management of this site were fully effective and met with the full confidence of the Commonwealth Government of Australia. The Management Plan, effective as of 1 September 1998, had been prepared with the full involvement of all ...
Sites: Wet Tropics of Queensland
The Committee, when it inscribed this property on the World Heritage List (Naples, 1997), had requested documentation on the marine resources surrounding this property. The Australian authorities informed the twenty-second extraordinary session of the Bureau (Kyoto, 1998) that the Australian Antarctic Division had granted funding to collate and analyse existing data on the benthic environments surrounding this property, including the territorial sea. In accordance with Australia’s plans to establish a marine protected area in the region, the project aims to assess whether the 12 ...
Sites: Heard and McDonald Islands
The Committee when it inscribed «The Sundarbans» of Bangladesh in the World Heritage List (Naples, 1997) encouraged the authorities of Bangladesh and India to discuss the possibility of creating a trans-frontier site with the adjoining Sundarbans National Park and World Heritage site (India). The Ministry of Environment and Forests of Bangladesh with support from the Asian Development Bank, is undertaking a multi-million dollar project, entitled the "Sundarbans Biodiversity Conservation Project". The Sundarbans World Heritage site is considered to be one of the main components ...
At its twenty-second extraordinary session (Kyoto, 1998) the Bureau commended the Polish authorities for submitting an extension of the Bialowieza Forest and reiterated its previous request that the two States Parties co-operate to prepare a management plan for the Belarus part and consider removing the fence separating the two parts. IUCN informed the Bureau that the IUCN evaluation of the extension of the Bialowieza Forest of Poland would be submitted to the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau. At that time IUCN, will also provide an analysis of transborder management ...
Sites: Białowieża Forest
Since 1997, the Bureau and the Committee have repeatedly called for the permanent closure of the 18 km road traversing this Park which had been illegally opened by local people. At its twenty-second session, the Bureau requested a Centre/IUCN mission to review the situation and to assist the State Party to mitigate threats to the Park. The twenty-second extraordinary session of the Bureau (November 1998) was informed of a new threat to Iguacu’s integrity, arising from plans to fill a hydropower reservoir in southwest Brazil that would divert a considerable volume of Iguacu’s ...
Sites: Iguaçu National Park
At its twenty-first session, the Committee had expressed its serious concerns over the potential threats posed by the Cheviot Mine Project, designed to exploit a large, open-pit coal mine, located 2.8 km from the Jasper National Park portion of this site. The Bureau noted that Parks Canada, informed the Centre of a Federal Court of Canada hearing from 1 to 3 March 1999 on this case that had rendered its decision on 8 April 1999. The Federal Court quashed the Federal Fisheries Act authorisation of August 1998 to allow work to start on the access road and railway and concluded that the ...
In November 1997, IUCN was informed that conflicts between armed groups had rendered a significant portion of the Park off-limits to staff and that tourism to the area had come to a halt. The twenty-second session of the Bureau requested IUCN to review a report from the Colombian authorities to the Centre and submit its findings to its twenty-second extraordinary session. IUCN informed the Bureau in November 1998 that a major restructuring of Colombia’s conservation administration was underway for devolving responsibilities for the site management to the provincial level. However, ...
Sites: Los Katíos National Park
The Centre informed the Bureau that Salonga National Park is the only one of the five sites of the Democratic Republic of the Congo that has not been included in the List of World Heritage in Danger and that the site is located in the more central part of the country and hence is relatively less impacted by on-going armed conflicts in the eastern part of the country. However, the Centre proposed to the Bureau that Salonga National Park should be included with the other four sites of DRC in the List of World Heritage in Danger. In this way, Salonga would be part of all efforts ...
Sites: Salonga National Park
At its twenty-second session, the Bureau was informed of a cable car construction project that would traverse this Park, proposed by a private individual concerned with tourism development. The feasibility of the project was questionable due to the heavy rains, high winds and the steep terrain that characterises this site. The Bureau noted that construction of such major access facilities was not consistent with the management plan of the Park and agreed with IUCN that the Dominican authorities need to exercise great caution when evaluating the feasibility of this proposal. At its ...
At its last session, the Committee commended the State Party for ensuring the passage of the «Special Law on the Galapagos» on 18 March 1998, by the Official Registry of Ecuador as Law No. 278, and decided not to include Galapagos in the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Law provides for the extension of the outer boundary of the marine reserve from 24 to 64 km offshore and for the establishment of a significant 130,000 km2 Reserve for the conservation of marine biodiversity where only tourism and artisanal fisheries will be permitted. Furthermore, the Law addresses most ...
Sites: Galápagos Islands
This site supports the largest population of the greater Indian one-horned rhinoceros; a 1993 census revealed 1164 animals in the Park. Other important species in the Park include the swamp deer, the tiger, the elephant and the water buffalo. Record rainfall in mid-1998 resulted in exceptional flooding of the Brahmaputra River and parts of the Park were under 6 metres of water. More than a square kilometre area of the floodplain was lost and the Director of the Park informed IUCN that an estimated 652 animals, including 42 rhinoceroses, were lost due to the flood. During the floods, ...
Sites: Kaziranga National Park
Since the inscription of the site on the World Heritage List in 1991, the site has benefited from financial assistance from the Fund for the purchase of boats and for training staff in marine protected area management in Queensland, Australia. A monitoring report on the site was provided via the UNESCO Office, Jakarta, to the Centre in 1995. IUCN informed the Centre that it has received a report indicating an increase in illegal dynamite and cyanide fishing in coastal waters which has had a serious impact on large areas of coral in the northern half of the marine component of the Park. ...
Sites: Komodo National Park
At its twenty-second extraordinary session, the Bureau recalled that during 1996-97 the State Party had established a Scientific Committee that set up stringent environmental conditions on the proponents of an industrial salt production facility, and successfully averted threats which the construction of that facility would have posed to the integrity of this site. The Bureau was informed that renewed consideration of the construction project was once again threatening the site and some conservation organisations had called for the designation of El Viscaino as a World Heritage site ...
The Bureau recalled that in 1997, the authorities of Oman submitted an interim zoning plan that foresaw a new outer boundary, and provisional boundaries for five management zones. In addition, they provided brief descriptions of their plans for implementing several projects and a report on the population status of the Arabian Oryx in the Sanctuary. At its twenty-second session (June 1998), the Bureau agreed with IUCN’s position that it would be better to review the zoning plan and other associated proposals after the overall management plan and the boundaries for the site are ...
At its twenty-second session, the Bureau was informed that a Canadian/Peruvian mining consortium was in the final stages of obtaining approval to develop one of the world's largest copper and zinc deposits found at Antamina, located 20 km east of this Park. Mining will commence in 2001 and proceed for 20 years. The Bureau noted that the concentrates may be transported from the mining site to the coast, either via a Central Road that traverses the Park, or an alternative Southern Road encircling the Park. The mining company had agreed to use the Southern Road, which is outside the ...
Sites: Huascarán National Park
At its twenty-second session, the Bureau was informed that a number of laws for the national protection of the Lake existed and that the Duma had adopted the Federal Law on «The Protection of the Baikal Lake» which was, however, vetoed by the President. The Federal Law had been tabled for a third reading in the Duma, taking into account comments made by the President’s intervention. The Russian authorities had not come to any conclusions regarding the re-profiling of the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill at Baikalsk, one of the main polluters of the Lake. The Observer of the ...
Sites: Lake Baikal
At its twenty-second session the Bureau was informed that a giant holding pool of the Aznalcollar mine owned by the Canadian-Swedish Boliden-Apirsa Company burst resulting in an ecological disaster. Although the main toxic flow had been diverted away from the National Park, the adjoining areas have been badly damaged. The Bureau was informed that the spill could spread into the World Heritage area as pollutants dispersed more widely. The State Party had submitted a number of technical reports on the situation and on actions taken to mitigate the threats. The President of the Spanish MAB ...
Sites: Doñana National Park
At its twenty-second extraordinary session, the Bureau was informed of fires that had affected Thailand and other countries in the region. The Bureau learned that the Chairperson had approved a sum of US$ 20,000 for a project on research, training and raising awareness of local people on forest fire prevention and control in and around this site. The project foresees the implementation of joint activities by site staff and representatives of local communities in forest fire prevention and control during the dry season that would begin after November 1998. The Bureau requested the Centre, ...
The Bureau recalled the insecurity situation prevailing in this site which resulted in the killing of eight tourists visiting the site to view mountain gorillas and four camp staff members in March 1999. The Centre informed the Bureau that Bwindi Forest has also been impacted due to armed conflicts in the African Great Lakes Region, similar to the sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo inscribed in the List of World Heritage in Danger. Bwindi too needs special efforts of the Centre and IUCN in any campaigns to raise awareness of the needs of biodiversity conservation in ...
The Bureau at its twenty-third ordinary session, was informed by the Centre on the continued and worsening rebel activity and insecurity in the districts of Kasese and Bundibugyo, which surround the Rwenzori Mountains. In a letter dated 14 May 1999, the Uganda Wildlife Authority informed the Centre that the Rwenzori Mountains National Park has been insecure since June 1997 and the Park has therefore been closed and no meaningful conservation activities have been taking place. The long term negative impact on the flora and fauna and the general environment cannot be predicted, nor is it ...
The Bureau, at its twenty-second extraordinary session, was informed that the Centre had transmitted the report entitled «Threats to St. Kilda World Heritage Site from Proposed Oil Exploration and Production in the Atlantic Frontier», prepared by Greenpeace International, to IUCN for review. This report had raised serious concerns on potential impacts to this site, particularly in the event of a possible oil spill that may result from the use of the Floating Production, Storage and Offloading Facilities (FPSOs). There are important threats associated with pollution derived ...
Sites: St Kilda
At its twenty-first session (Naples, 1997) the Committee expressed its concern over threats due to a proposal to erect a series of power transmission lines across this Park. At its twenty-second session (June 1998), the Bureau learned that the President of Venezuela had re-affirmed his Government’s commitment to protect the site and had welcomed the possibility of a UNESCO mission to evaluate the power-line construction project and to determine the boundaries of the site. At its last session (Kyoto, 1998), the Committee called upon the Centre and IUCN to field a mission to Canaima ...
Sites: Canaima National Park
At its twenty-second session, the Bureau had noted that the Government of Vietnam/JICA study on environmental management for Ha Long Bay had commenced in February 1998 and was to be completed in October 1999. The Bureau was informed of the loan agreement signed (March 1998) by the Government of Vietnam and OECF, Japan, for the construction of the Bai Chay Bridge, to link Bai Chay Beach to Ha Long City across the Bai Chay Bay. The agreement foresaw a feasibility study as well as an environmental impact assessment of the bridge construction project. At its twenty-second extraordinary ...
The Bureau recalled that at, twenty-second extraordinary session, it was informed of IUCN's review of the "Scoping Report: Potential impacts associated with the proposed development of the Mosi-oa-Tunya Hotel Complex", commissioned by Sun International, the company that would like to develop this hotel complex on the Zambian side of this transborder site. IUCN had raised the following key issues of concern:
(a) the proposed development site is within the World Heritage area and particularly close to the river banks;
(b) institutional support to be provided by the Zambian ...
The Secretariat introduced the discussion by referring to the summary of recent deliberations by the Committee and its Bureau concerning Kakadu National Park contained in WHC-99/CONF.204/5 that also provided information concerning the implementation of the decisions of the twenty-second session of the Committee up until the date of finalization of the document at the end of May. The subsequent decisions of the World Heritage Committee at its twenty-second session in Kyoto in December 1998 are included in their entirety in the same working document.
In accordance with the reporting ...
Sites: Kakadu National Park
At its twenty-second session (June 1998), the Bureau noted that the Tasmanian Regional Forestry Agreement (RFA) signed by the Commonwealth and the Tasmanian Governments on 8 November 1997, has enabled: (i) the establishment of a significantly increased reserve system for Tasmania’s Forest Estate; (ii) participation by the signatories in further World Heritage assessment of relevant Australia-wide themes; and (iii) initiation of discussions between the signatories on possibilities for further World Heritage nominations or additions to the present World Heritage site. The ...
Sites: Tasmanian Wilderness
At its twenty-second ordinary (June 1998) and extraordinary (November 1998) sessions, the Bureau was informed of the events resulting from the eruptions of Mount Ruapehu in 1995 and 1996. The volcano’s Crater Lake has been drained and a large build-up of ash has blocked the Lake’s outlet. When Crater Lake refills, probably within the next few years, a rapid collapse of the ash dam could occur followed by a major lahar. The management authorities are faced with the dilemma of either letting nature take its course, putting both human life and some natural values at ...
Sites: Tongariro National Park
The Secretariat informed the Bureau that the Permanent Delegation of Peru to UNESCO had invited an expert mission to Peru to observe in situ the application of the Master Plan for Machu Picchu. It also informed that the National Institute for Natural Resources (INRENA) and the National Institute for Culture (INC) had provided information on the creation of a Management Unit for the Sanctuary that was foreseen in the Master Plan for Machu Picchu and in the National Plan for Protected Areas and that its first meeting was scheduled for 26 June 1999. This Management Unit will prepare short ...
23 BUR IV.B.51
Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis (Argentina and Brazil): The Jesuit Mission of Santa Ana (Argentina)
The Bureau took note of information provided by the National Commission for Museums, Monuments and Historical Sites: (1) an industrial plant was planned at 700 meters from the central square of the Mission and that both would be separated by a protective zone of 170 hectares and dense vegetation and that it would not affect the values of the Mission, and (2) plan for the industrial plant has led to developing a plan for a new and more appropriate access to the Mission.
The Bureau requested the authorities to submit by 15 September 1999, for further study and possible examination by the ...
Following receipt of a technical co-operation request and an alarming state of conservation report submitted by the Chinese authorities, the World Heritage Centre recommended that an ICOMOS/ICCROM reactive monitoring mission be undertaken to identify the emergency conservation and site management needs. The Bureau was informed that, with the agreement of the State Party, ICCROM, ICOMOS and the World Heritage Centre were organizing this mission, which was expected to take place in September 1999.
The Delegate of the Republic of Korea brought the attention of the Bureau to the serious need ...
In approving the inscription of this site on the World Heritage List at its eighteenth session in 1994, the Committee recommended the Chinese authorities to extend the boundary to include Jokhang Temple and its surrounding historic quarters.
The Bureau was informed by the World Heritage Centre that the nomination for the extension of the Potala Palace to include the Jokhang Temple and its surrounding Barkhor historic area had been submitted to the World Heritage Centre, by letter of 30 June 1999.
The Bureau expressed its appreciation to the Government of China for following up on ...
The Bureau took note of the report submitted by the authorities of the Dominican Republic on the damage caused by Hurricane Georges. It requested them to keep the Committee informed of further actions taken in response to the 1998 monitoring mission and towards the integrated rehabilitation of the Historical Centre of the City.
1) Rehabilitation of Islamic Cairo
The Secretariat informed the Bureau of progress made in favour of the revitalization of this site, notably the posting of a technical co-ordinator to the Governor of Cairo as well as direct support from France, Italy, The Netherlands, UNDP and others, for the site. After having taken note of this information, the Bureau thanked the Egyptian authorities for their efforts for the restoration of Islamic Cairo and encouraged them to energetically pursue their work. The Bureau also thanked the States Parties and the institutions that had ...
Sites: Historic Cairo
23 BUR IV.B.56
Memphis and its Necropolis – the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur (Arab Republic of Egypt)
After having examined the report of the Secretariat, the Bureau considered that a General Management Plan should be established with a complete mapping of the site. The Bureau recommended to the State party to study the recommendations of the mission report of March 1999 and to take actions for the establishment of an integrated interdisciplinary General Management Plan. The Bureau requested the State party to submit a progress report on the actions taken by 15 September 1999 for examination by the Committee at its twenty-third session.
The Secretariat informed the Bureau that the structure erected opposite the Abu Simbel Temple for a sound and light project had been removed. Consequently, after examination of the state of conservation of the site, the Bureau congratulated the Egyptian authorities on this rapid action and recommended the preparation of an integrated management plan for this important ensemble of monuments.
23 BUR IV.B.58
Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Remi and Palace of Tau, Reims (France)
The Bureau took note of the information provided by the French authorities that agreement had been reached to establish a precisely defined protection zone around the Cathedral (Zone de protection du patrimoine architectural, urbain et paysager ZPPAUP), the exact limits of which remained to be defined, and that a project for the surroundings of the Cathedral (le Parvis) will be the subject of a competition. The ICOMOS-designated expert will be involved in this process. The Bureau requested the French authorities to keep the Committee informed on further developments regarding the ...
A report prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, Family and Women’s Affairs of Rheinland-Pfalz stated that the building permit for the new constructions north of the amphitheatre was issued on 23 December 1998 with the following characteristics:
- removal of one building in order to ensure sufficient distance from the theatre; - use of the western half of the site for green areas and access to the theatre;
- height limitation to the building closest to the theatre.
The report also states that the recently discovered archaeological remains are incorporated into the ...
After receiving information concerning the construction of a highway and bridge over Tungabhadra River cutting across the World Heritage protected area of the site of Hampi, the World Heritage Centre expressed deep concern over the negative impact these public works may have on the integrity of this site. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) confirmed that the bridge and the road leading from the bridge would affect the nationally protected monuments within Hampi, especially the Talauargattaa Temple and Gate through which the road already passes. ASI has contacted the Chief Secretary ...
Sites: Group of Monuments at Hampi
The Bureau was informed that the World Heritage Centre undertook a mission to Goa in January 1999 to develop a project proposal based on co-operation between the local authorities of Old Goa (India), Guimaraes (Portugal) and Brighton & Hove (UK) for submission to the European Union Asia Urbs Programme. During this mission, it was noted that while there is an important effort being made to conserve the individual monuments, the overall site is not cohesive, both visually and spatially. Widening of the roads, neglect of archaeological ruins and new spatial organization and ...
Sites: Churches and Convents of Goa
The Committee, at its twenty-first session in 1997, requested the Government of India to report on the findings of the structural studies being undertaken with World Heritage Fund Emergency Assistance. The Government of India was also requested to keep the Secretariat informed in the meantime, to enable UNESCO to mobilize additional international co-operation to undertake corrective measures, as required. The report on the structural studies has not been submitted and the World Heritage Centre has not received sufficient justification for the continuation of financial support for this ...
Sites: Sun Temple, Konârak
The Bureau recalled that it had discussed at its twenty-second extraordinary session, a project of high tension towers in the landscape surrounding Florence. The Delegate of Italy informed that a detailed report would be submitted to the Secretariat shortly on the matter of the high tension towers in the landscape outside of Florence. He informed the Bureau that these towers are indeed located outside of the World Heritage site. He confirmed the concerns of his Government for the protection of the environment in this type of case, and announced that the Ministry for Cultural ...
Sites: Historic Centre of Florence
The Secretariat received a report indicating that an out-dated incinerator banned in many countries is being installed in a location 6.6 km from the Pulgulksa Temple. According to this report, the average emission rate of 0.92 ng per cubic metre of dioxin produced by this type of incinerator would have a negative impact on the community surrounding the Temple.
The Delegate of the Republic of Korea informed the Bureau that although the City of Kyongju was implementing the construction of the incinerator, due to strong opposition from the local communities, the project had been ...
After having examined the report of the Secretariat on the protection of the stones of the Temple of Bacchus and the results of the mission carried out to evaluate the restoration of the Great Mosque, the Bureau requested that the Secretariat continues co-operation for the conservation of the Temple of Bacchus. The Bureau also recommended to the Lebanese authorities that work should not recommence at the Great Mosque and no transformation should be envisaged. It also recommended the Lebanese authorities to provide a management plan of the site before the end of September for ...
Sites: Baalbek
Having been informed that the only remaining building of the 19th century still standing in the inscribed archaeological zone has been allocated to a cultural institution and aware of the risks that this use might have on the site, the Bureau requested the Lebanese authorities to take no further action which might have a negative impact on this important archaeological site and recommended that another building situated outside of the site be provided.
Sites: Byblos
The preparation of documents and the operational activities of this site, which is the object of an International Safeguarding Campaign, is the responsibility of the Division of Cultural Heritage. The Director of the World Heritage Centre reminded the members of the Bureau that, following the launching of the Campaign by the Director-General of UNESCO on 3 March 1998, the Bureau, at its twenty-second session in June 1998, had encouraged the Lebanese authorities to continue the Campaign in co-operation with UNESCO. It had strongly urged the Lebanese authorities to immediately halt ...
Sites: Tyre
The Secretariat informed the Bureau that an earthquake occurred in Mexico on 15 June 1999 and that the World Heritage City of Puebla had been seriously affected. At the time of the Bureau, however, no further information was available to the Secretariat, ICOMOS or the Observer of Mexico. The Mexican Observer informed the Bureau that a request for emergency assistance from the World Heritage Fund might be forthcoming.
The Bureau expressed its regret concerning the loss of human life and damage caused to the World Heritage site. It offered its support and assistance from the World Heritage ...
Sites: Historic Centre of Puebla
The Committee, at its seventeenth session, expressed deep concern over the state of conservation of the Kathmandu Valley site and considered the possibility of placing it on the List of World Heritage in Danger, following discussions on the findings of the 1993 Joint UNESCO-ICOMOS Review Mission.
At its twenty-first session, the Committee examined the state of conservation report of this site, and in view of the continued deterioration of the World Heritage values in the Bauddhanath and Kathmandu Monument Zones, affecting the site’s integrity and inherent characteristics, the ...
Sites: Kathmandu Valley
The Bureau examined the report of the Secretariat concerning the proposal to organize an international technical meeting to ensure that the proposed project for the conservation, restoration and presentation of the Maya Devi Temple within the archaeological zone of the World Heritage site, which was prepared by the Japan Buddhist Federation and submitted by the Lumbini Development Trust conforms to international standards. In view of the religious and archaeological importance of the Maya Devi Temple, which is exposed to natural elements, pilgrims and visitors and is presently protected ...
During a mission undertaken in February 1999, a World Heritage Centre staff member witnessed the alarming construction of a football stadium on an unexcavated area on the Bhir Mound site, the earliest historical citadel site within Taxila World Heritage site. The stadium was being built directly on an archaeological area, which the Government of Pakistan had purchased in 1954. At the time of the mission, construction workers had already finished digging the dredges for the rectangular outer brick wall of the stadium, exposing the 2nd century AD strata stone walls and pottery shards. ...
Sites: Taxila
Following a request for Technical Co-operation aimed at restoring the Gardens to the original Mughal pattern, a mission by an ICOMOS expert was organized by the World Heritage Centre in October-November 1998 to assess repair needs, to report on the state of conservation of the gardens and landscape, and to make recommendations for future action following international conservation norms. An evaluation of the Master Plan for the Preservation and Restoration of Shalamar Gardens Lahore (April 1998) was also undertaken.
Despite the commendable efforts made by the responsible ...
The Bureau noted that the UNESCO Representative in Peru was in Cusco at the time of its session to discuss the modalities of the implementation of the World Heritage assistance for the preparation of a Master Plan. The Observer of Peru informed that with the new municipal administration, a joint commission will be set up for the preparation of a Master Plan.
Considering this information, the Bureau decided to defer further examination to its twenty-third extraordinary session and requested the Peruvian authorities to submit a report in response to the request made by the Bureau at its ...
Sites: City of Cuzco
At its twenty-second session, the Committee approved a technical co-operation request to purchase computer equipment and for partially funding the international experts’ fees, for producing new maps for efficient and adequate management of this cultural landscape site, which is very vulnerable to a variety of adverse impacts. The UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok is assisting the authorities of the Philippines in implementing this activity.
ICOMOS Germany expressed concern over the state of conservation and management of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras in December ...
Following a mission by the Director of the World Heritage Centre to Poland, the Government of Poland submitted a substantive progress report on the actions taken for the management and preservation of this World Heritage site. This report addressed the following issues:
The Strategic Government Programme for Auschwitz, in operation since the beginning of 1997 will be extended until the year 2007. It provides for the creation of a communication infrastructure and the functional restructuring of the areas around the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. Funding has been provided under this ...
At the request of the Portuguese authorities, a joint WHC-ICOMOS mission was undertaken to Angra do Heroismo from 28 to 31 January 1999. The mission examined the progress made in the preparation and adoption of the protective measures and planning mechanisms for the city and its surroundings and noted the need for these to be further integrated. The mission requested the authorities to submit by 1 May 1999 detailed reports on the measures taken for the protection of the World Heritage site and the insertion of the marina in the overall development and preservation of the city, as well as ...
The Bureau took note of the new information transmitted by the Secretariat. It thanked the authorities for the preparation of the revised protection plan. The Bureau recommended that the extension of the municipal cemetery respects the need to protect the site and that the revised protection plan be submitted to the twenty-third session of the World Heritage Committee.
Sacred City of Kandy (Sri Lanka); Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications (Sri Lanka); Golden Temple of Dambulla (Sri Lanka)
At its twenty-second session, the Bureau examined the reports from ICOMOS, the Secretariat and the Permanent Delegation of Sri Lanka, concerning the damage at the Temple of the Tooth, Kandy, following the terrorist bombing in January 1998. The authorities of Sri Lanka were requested to submit a report concerning the progress made in the restoration work undertaken, for presentation to the twenty-second session of the Committee. To date, this report has ...
ICOMOS experts reported that conservation and restoration works are progressing steadily at the Temple of the Tooth. In particular, the high level of management of the site by both conservation and administration teams was noted. Given the strong public support for the conservation policy including development control of the whole city, ICOMOS experts noted that the systematic approach applied to urban conservation in Kandy could serve as a model for other relevant areas in Sri Lanka.
Seventeen recommendations were made by the ICOMOS experts for enhancing the conservation and ...
Sites: Sacred City of Kandy
ICOMOS experts reported on the need for a clear demarcation of the World Heritage site and its buffer zone, and strongly recommended that the core zone should include the ancient harbour of Galle.
Eleven recommendations were made by the ICOMOS experts which address (a) the need to increase the standards of conservation of the monuments and historic buildings within the site; (b) the need to carry out scientific research of urban development of the historic town and the architectural details and; (c) the need to prepare and implement, with adequate technical staff, an overall Development ...
ICOMOS experts reported on the state of conservation of the site and its buffer zone, including information on the improved infrastructure around the site. However, ICOMOS experts expressed concern that no conservation work has been carried out at the Golden Temple since the site’s inscription on the World Heritage List, which has resulted in the general deterioration of the monument.
ICOMOS experts recommended that immediate intervention be arranged. ICOMOS experts made eight recommendations for improved conservation and management of the site, including the removal of ...
Sites: Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple
On 13 April 1999, the Ministry of Culture of Sweden informed the Secretariat that environmental impact studies for the different alternatives for the road upgrading had been completed as well as a specific study on the possible impact on the cultural values of the World Heritage site of Tanum. These studies will go through a consultative process before any decision is taken about the choice of the routing of the road. It is stated that the opinions expressed by the WHC-ICOMOS mission and the World Heritage Committee are valuable contributions to the process to determine the location for ...
Sites: Rock Carvings in Tanum
The Bureau listened to the results of the mission dispatched by the World Heritage Centre to the study structural damage of the Tekiyeh as Suleymaniyeh. After examination of the state of conservation of the site and the recommendations of this mission, the Bureau requested the Syrian authorities to undertake the minor interventions described in this report so that the monument may be opened to the public.
Sites: Ancient City of Damascus
Having examined the state of conservation of the property, the Bureau considered that the primary action for the site is the establishment of the necessary regulations together with the creation of an on-site management office, to avoid further inappropriate interventions within the site. The Bureau recommended to the Syrian authorities to collaborate with the Secretariat in completing the draft management plan, including the proposal for the regulations. It also recommended that in continuing its collaboration, the Syrian authorities increase their financial contribution for ...
Sites: Site of Palmyra
1) The Monument of Hagia Sophia of the Archaeological Park
The Bureau thanked the authorities for the efforts undertaken and recommended that the International Scientific Committee meets without delay and in accordance with the terms of reference decided upon so that a work programme may be established.
2) Historic Areas of Istanbul
The Bureau was informed of the international expert mission carried out in June 1999 to assist the Turkish authorities in the preparation of a periodic report on the state of conservation of the sites located in Fatih District– notably the site ...
Sites: Historic Areas of Istanbul
ICOMOS reported on the results of a mission it undertook to Kiev in response to a request made by the Bureau at its twenty-second extraordinary session. The mission looked into the project to rebuild the Dormition Cathedral, particularly its hydrogeological implications. The mission concluded that, with the technology applied for the foundation, concerns for the stability of the soil are unjustified.
Furthermore, the mission reported that the Hotel Intercontinental project has now been modified and it will not be higher than the surrounding buildings and will not be intrusive. It also ...
A mission sent by the World Heritage Centre in November 1998 to Sana’a had reported that there were plans for the extension of the Great Mosque of Sana’a and for the construction of a large fly-over between the two parts of the city. The twenty-second extraordinary session of the Bureau (November 1998) recommended that work on these two projects should be halted pending a global study on the development of Sana’a. This was communication to the authorities in January 1999. The Secretariat informed the Bureau that the extension of the Grand Mosque has ...
Sites: Old City of Sana'a
The Bureau examined specific requests for international assistance and took the following decisions.
NATURAL HERITAGE
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan - "Training for Nomination of Natural and Mixed Properties as World Heritage in Central Asia" (Training Assistance) - US$ 29,440 requested
The Bureau approved an amount of US$ 29,440 from the natural heritage training funds for this project, subject to the WWF Russia Programme (WWF-PRO) confirming, before 31 October 1999, that it has been successful in raising the balance of US$ 29,900 needed for the ...
Sites: Garamba National Park Kahuzi-Biega National Park Kilimanjaro National Park Okapi Wildlife Reserve Serengeti National Park Site of Palmyra Vilnius Historic Centre Virunga National Park
II.1 The Committee adopted the agenda (WHC-99/CONF./209/1), the Annotated Agenda (WHC- 99/CONF.209/2) and the Provisional Calendar with modifications. Following unanimous agreement, the Committee decided to discuss the Agenda Item 7 on 'Follow-up to the work of the Consultative Body to the World Heritage Committee', to enable a working group to be established under this agenda item and for it to complete its task as early as possible during the session. In response to the interventions by the Delegates of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Hungary, Thailand and Zimbabwe, the Chairperson proposed ...
IV.1 The Rapporteur of the twenty-third session of the Bureau (5 - 10 July 1999), and the third extraordinary session of the World Heritage Committee, 12 July 1999, presented the two reports WHC-99/CONF.209/4 and WHC-99/CONF.209/5 respectively. Concerning the report of the twenty-third session of the Bureau, Mr Janos Jelen (Hungary) said the report reflects the debate of the Bureau and the document can be instrumental for States Parties and the members of the Committee when they prepare themselves for future meetings. Regarding the report of the third extraordinary session of the ...
23 COM VI.14
Progress Report on the Implementation of the Regional Actions Described in the Global Strategy Action Plan Adopted by the Committee at its twenty-second Session
VI.14 The Committee,
having recognized that regional action plans had already contributed in a tangible manner towards the implementation of the Global Strategy,
adopted under Chapter II for the Budget for 2000 an amount of US$ 278,000, of which US$ 20,000 for Central and Eastern Europe, and under Thematic Studies US$ 40,000 for ICOMOS and US$ 15,000 for IUCN.
It also took note of Information Documents WHC-99/CONF.209/INF.8, WHC-99/CONF.209/INF.11, WHC-99/CONF.209/INF.14 and ...
VII.1 The Chairperson introduced item 7 and recalled the origin of the creation of this consultative body (twentieth session of the Committee, December 1996, Merida, Mexico). He informed the delegates of the relevant documents and requested the Director of the Centre to present the item.
VII.2 The Director of the Centre took the floor and described the content of the Working Document and summarized the decisions to be taken that he proposed for submission to the Committee. The decision concerning the technical questions, amended by Benin, were adopted as follows:
The Committee requested ...
VIII.1 Following the review of the state of conservation reports and at the recommendation of the Bureau, the Committee decided to inscribe the following natural and cultural properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Rwenzori Mountains National Park (Uganda)
Iguaçu National Park (Brazil)
Hampi (India)
VIII.2 The Committee did not recommend the deletion of properties from the List of World Heritage in ...
VIII.3 The Committee approved the change of the name of the following property included on the World Heritage List:
"Sokkuram Grotto" to "Sokkuram Grotto and Pulguksa Temple" (Republic of Korea)
Concerning the request from Germany, that "Roman Monuments, Cathedral and Liebfrauen-Church in Trier" is changed to "Roman Monuments, Cathedral Saint Peter and St. Mary's Church in Trier", the Chairperson suggested consultations between the Centre and the State Party to define the correct English version.
VIII.6 The Committee noted that Germany, following the twenty-third session of the Bureau, had withdrawn the nomination of The Cathedral of St-Maurice and St-Catherine, Magdebourg (Germany).
Property: Península Valdés
Id. N°: 937
State Party: Argentina
Criteria: N (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe Peninsula Valdés on the World Heritage List under criterion (iv).
Peninsula Valdés contains very important and significant natural habitats for the in-situ conservation of several threatened species of outstanding universal value, and specifically its globally important concentration of breeding southern right whales, which is an endangered species. It is also important because of the breeding populations of southern elephant seals and southern sea lions. The ...
Sites: Península Valdés
Property: Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves
Id. N°: 892Rev
State Party: Brazil
Criteria: N (ii) (iv)
IUCN informed the Committee that the evaluation of this property has been undertaken based on the revised nomination submitted by the State Party in April 1999.
The Brazilian Discovery Coast includes eight separate protected areas containing the best and largest remaining examples of Atlantic forest in the Northeast region of Brazil and contains high numbers of rare and endemic species. The site displays the biological richness and evolutionary history of the few remaining ...
Property: Atlantic Forest Southeast Reserves
Id. N°: 893-894Rev
State Party: Brazil
Criteria: N(ii) (iii) (iv)
IUCN informed the Committee that the evaluation of this property has been undertaken based on the revised nomination submitted by the State Party in April 1999.
The Atlantic Forest Southeast Reserves contain the best and largest remaining examples of Atlantic forest in the Southeast region of Brazil. The 25 protected areas that make up the site display the biological richness and evolutionary history of the few remaining areas of Atlantic forest of Southeast Brazil. The ...
Property: Miguasha Park
Id. N°: 686Rev
State Party: Canada
Criteria: N(i)
In its representation of vertebrate life, Miguasha Park is the most outstanding fossil site in the world for illustrating the Devonian as the "Age of Fishes". The area is of paramount importance in having the greatest number and best preserved fossil specimens found anywhere in the world of the lobe-finned fishes that gave rise to the first four-legged, air-breathing terrestrial vertebrates - the tetrapodes.
The Committee decided to inscribe the site under natural criterion (i). The Committee commended the ...
Sites: Miguasha National Park
Property: Area de Conservacion Guanacaste
Id. N°: 928
State Party: Costa Rica
Criteria: N (ii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe the Guanacaste Conservation Area on the World Heritage List under criteria (ii) and (iv).
The site demonstrates significant, major biological and ecological processes in both its terrestrial and marine-coastal environments, as exemplified by: a) evolution, succession and restoration of Pacific Tropical Dry Forest; b) altitudinal migration and other interactive biogeographic and ecological processes along its dry forest - montane humid forest - cloud ...
Property: Desembarco del Granma National Park
Id. N°: 889
State Party: Cuba
Criteria: N (i) (iii)
The uplifted marine terraces of the Desembarco del Granma National Park and associated ongoing development of karst topography and features, represent a globally significant example of geomorphologic and physiographic features and ongoing geological processes. The area includes spectacular stair-step terraces and cliffs and the ecosystems that have evolved on them, as well as some of the most pristine and impressive coastal cliffs bordering the Western Atlantic between the Canadian ...
Property: Lorentz National Park
Id. N°: 955
State Party: Indonesia
Criteria: N (i) (ii) (iv)
The Committee recalled that the Bureau at its twenty-third session requested the Centre to inform the Indonesian authorities of a number of aspects suggested by IUCN dealing with the management of the site, and in particular: (a) the priority need to continue the process of management planning for the Park with full involvement of the local stakeholders; (b) encouragement for the proposed establishment of a Foundation which would assist in the management of the Park; (c) possible twinning ...
Sites: Lorentz National Park
Property: Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Id. N°: 652Rev
State Party: Philippines
Criteria: N (iii) (iv)
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with its underground river. A distinguishing feature of the river is that it flows directly into the sea, and the lower portion of the river is subject to tidal influences. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full mountain to the sea ecosystem and protects forests, which are among the most significant in ...
Property: The Laurisilva of Madeira
Id. N°: 934
State Party: Portugal
Criteria: N (ii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe the Laurel Forest of Madeira on the World Heritage List under natural criteria (ii) and (iv).
The site contains the largest surviving relict of the virtually extinct laurisilva forest type that was once widespread in Europe. This forest type is considered to be a centre of plant diversity containing numerous rare, relict and endemic species, especially of bryophytes, ferns and flowering plants. It also has a very rich invertebrate fauna. Endemic species ...
Sites: Laurisilva of Madeira
Property: Western Caucasus
Id. N°: 900
State Party: Russian Federation
Criteria: N (ii) (iv)
The Western Caucasus has a remarkable diversity of geology, ecosystems and species. It is of global significance as a centre of plant diversity. Along with the Virgin Komi World Heritage site, it is the only large mountain area in Europe that has not experienced significant human impact, containing extensive tracts of undisturbed mountain forests unique on the European scale.
The twenty-third session of the Bureau could not study this nomination because the requested field mission was delayed ...
Sites: Western Caucasus
Property: Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park
Id. N°: 914
State Party: South Africa
Criteria: N (ii) (iii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park on the World Heritage List under natural criteria (ii), (iii) and (iv).
The St. Lucia site consists of thirteen contiguous protected areas with a total size of 234,566 hectares. The site is the largest estuarine system in Africa and includes the southernmost extension of coral reefs on the continent. The site contains a combination of on-going fluvial, marine and aeolian processes that have resulted in a ...
Sites: iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Property: Belovezhskaya Pushcha/Bialowieza Forest - Extension
Id. N°: 33-627 Bis
State Party: Belarus / Poland
The Committee recalled that IUCN informed the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau that the proposed extension would provide an important contribution to the biodiversity of the Polish part of the existing World Heritage site, in particular through the oligothrophic pinewoods. However, they are not significant for the existing World Heritage site as a whole.
The Committee decided not to include the extension into the existing World Heritage site.
The Committee ...
Sites: Białowieża Forest
VIII.4 The Committee noted that the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau had noted that the Government of Australia provided the Centre with complementary information concerning the mixed cultural and natural nomination of the Greater Blue Mountains Area (Australia) on 7 October 1999. The State Party has commenced preparation of additional detailed complementary material addressing issues raised by the Bureau at its twenty-third ordinary session in July 1999. The Bureau had recommended deferral for the natural part of the nomination and did not recommend inscription according ...
Sites: Greater Blue Mountains Area
VIII.5 Concerning the site of the Aeolian Islands (Italy), the Committee noted that the Bureau at its extraordinary session had deferred the site. The Delegate of Italy informed the Committee that there had been a misunderstanding in the information provided, and that management plans and regulations for the site exist. Several delegates highlighted procedural matters in particular paragraph 65 of the Operational Guidelines, and stated that deferred sites are not presented for consideration by the Committee. Other delegates underlined the sovereignty of the Committee in its decisions. ...
Property: Mount Wuyi
Id. N°: 911
State Party: China
Criteria: N (iii) (iv) / C(iii) (vi)
The Committee decided to inscribe the site on the World Heritage List under natural criteria (iii) and (iv) and cultural criteria (iii) and (vi).
Natural criteria (iii) and (iv) : Mount Wuyi is one of the most outstanding subtropical forests in the world. It is the largest, most representative example of a largely intact forest encompassing the diversity of the Chinese Subtropical Forest and the South Chinese Rainforest. It acts as a refuge for a large number of ancient, relict plant species, ...
Sites: Mount Wuyi
Property: Ibiza, Biodiversity and Culture
Id. N°: 417Rev
State Party: Spain
Criteria: N(ii)(iv) / C(ii)(iii)(iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe the site on the basis of natural criteria (ii) and (iv) and cultural criteria (ii), (iii) and (iv).
Natural criteria (ii) and (iv):
The marine component of this site is characterised by the presence of dense and very well preserved prairies of oceanic Posidonia (seagrass) and coral reefs. Oceanic Posidonia only occurs in the Mediterranean basin and this site is the best preserved example within this region. The area also contains the ...
Property: Pyrénées - Mont Perdu
Id. N°: 773 Bis
State Party: France / Spain
The Committee noted the comment by ICOMOS that the small extension proposed by France is a valuable contribution to the overall cultural landscape. IUCN informed the Bureau that the existing Pyrénées - Mount Perdu (France/Spain) World Heritage site was inscribed under natural criteria (i) and (iii). The proposed extension would not meet any natural criteria on its own. However, the extension has comparable scenic and geomorphological values to the existing site. IUCN noted concerns as to whether the legal basis ...
Sites: Pyrénées - Mont Perdu
Property: Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas
Id. N°: 936
State Party: Argentina
Criteria: C (iii)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criterion (iii):
Criterion (iii): Cueva de las Manos contains an outstanding collection of prehistoric rock art which bears witness to the culture of the earliest human societies in South America.
Property: City of Graz - Historic Centre
Id. N°: 931
State Party: Austria
Criteria: C (ii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv):
Criterion (ii): The Historic Centre of the City of Graz reflects artistic and architectural movements originating from the Germanic region, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean, for which it served as a crossroads for centuries. The greatest architects and artists of these different regions expressed themselves forcefully here and thus created brilliant syntheses.
Criterion (iv): The ...
Property: The Belfries of Flanders and Wallonia
Id. N°: 943
State Party: Belgium
Criteria: C (ii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv):
Criterion (ii): The belfries of Belgium are exceptional examples of a form of urban architecture adapted to the political and spiritual requirements of their age.
Criterion (iv): The Middle Ages saw the emergence of towns that were independent of the prevalent feudal system. The belfries in the historic County of Flanders and in Wallonia symbolize this new-found independence, and ...
Property: Historic Centre of the Town of Diamantina
Id. N°: 890
State Party: Brazil
Criteria: C (ii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv):
Criterion (ii): Diamantina shows how explorers of the Brazilian territory, diamond prospectors, and representatives of the Crown were able to adapt European models to an American context in the 18th century, thus creating a culture that was faithful to its roots yet completely original.
Criterion (iv): The urban and architectural group of Diamantina, perfectly integrated into ...
Property: The Dazu Rock Carvings
Id. N°: 912
State Party: China
Criteria: C (i) (ii) (iii)
The Committee inscribed this site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (i), (ii) and (iii):
Criterion (i): The Dazu Carvings represent the pinnacle of Chinese rock art for their high aesthetic quality and their diversity of style and subject matter.
Criterion (ii): Tantric Buddhism from India and the Chinese Taoist and Confucian beliefs came together at Dazu to create a highly original and influential manifestation of spiritual harmony.
Criterion (iii): The eclectic nature ...
Sites: Dazu Rock Carvings
Property: Viñales Valley
Id. N°: 840 Rev
State Party: Cuba
Criteria: C(iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criterion (iv):
Criterion (iv): The Viñales Valley is an outstanding karst landscape in which traditional methods of agriculture (notably tobacco growing) have survived unchanged for several centuries. The region also preserves a rich vernacular tradition in its architecture, its crafts, and its music.
The Committee noted that during the recent UNESCO General Conference, the Valley of Viñales was awarded the ...
Sites: Viñales Valley
Property: Litomyšl Castle
Id. N°: 901
State Party: Czech Republic
Criteria: C (ii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv):
Criterion (ii): Litomyšl Castle is an outstanding and immaculately preserved example of the arcade castle, a type of building first developed in Italy and modified in the Czech lands to create an evolved form of special architectural quality.
Criterion (iv): Litomyšl Castle illustrates in an exceptional way the aristocratic residences of Central Europe in the Renaissance ...
Sites: Litomyšl Castle
Property: Litomyšl Castle
Id. N°: 901
State Party: Czech Republic
Criteria: C (ii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv):
Criterion (ii): Litomyšl Castle is an outstanding and immaculately preserved example of the arcade castle, a type of building first developed in Italy and modified in the Czech lands to create an evolved form of special architectural quality.
Criterion (iv): Litomyšl Castle illustrates in an exceptional way the aristocratic residences of Central Europe in the Renaissance ...
Sites: Litomyšl Castle
Property: Historic Centre of Santa Ana de los Rios de Cuenca
Id. N°: 863
State Party: Ecuador
Criteria: C (ii) (iv) (v)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii), (iv) and (v).
Criterion (ii): Cuenca illustrates the successful implantation of the principles of Renaissance urban planning in the Americas.
Criterion (iv): The successful fusion of different societies and cultures in Latin America is vividly symbolized by the layout and townscape of Cuenca.
Criterion (v): Cuenca is an outstanding example of a planned inland Spanish ...
Property: The Bronze Age Burial Site of Sammallahdenmäki
Id. N°: 579 Rev
State Party: Finland
Criteria: C (iii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iii) and (iv):
Criterion (iii): The Sammallahdenmäki cairn cemetery bears exceptional witness to the society of the Bronze Age of Scandinavia.
Criterion (iv): The Sammallahdenmäki cemetery is an outstanding example of Bronze Age funerary practices in Scandinavia.
Delegates drew the attention that the inscription of this nonmonumental property responds to the ...
Property: The Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion
Id. N°: 932
State Party: France
Criteria: C (iii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iii) and (iv):
Criterion (iii): The Ancient Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion is an outstanding example of an historic vineyard landscape that has survived intact and in activity to the present day.
Criterion (iv): The intensive cultivation of grapes for wine production in a precisely defined region and the resulting landscape is illustrated in an exceptional way by the historic Jurisdiction of ...
Property: Museumsinsel (Museum Island), Berlin
Id. N°: 896
State Party: Germany
Criteria: C (ii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv).
Criterion (ii): The Berlin Museumsinsel is an unique ensemble of museum buildings, which illustrated the evolution of modern museum design over more than a century.
Criterion (iv): The art museum is a social phenomenon that owes its origins to the Age of Enlightenment and its extension to all people to the French Revolution. The Museumsinsel is the most outstanding example of this ...
Property: Wartburg Castle
Id. N°: 897
State Party: Germany
Criteria: C (iii) (vi)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iii) and (vi):
Criterion (iii): The Castle of Wartburg is an outstanding monument of the feudal period in Central Europe.
Criterion (vi): The Castle of Wartburg is rich in cultural associations, most notably its role as the place of exile of Martin Luther, who composed his German translation of the New Testament there. It is also a powerful symbol of German integration and unity.
The Observer of Poland pointed ...
Sites: Wartburg Castle
Property: The Archaeological Sites of Mycenae and Tiryns
Id. N°: 941
State Party: Greece
Criteria: C (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (vi)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (i),( ii), (iii),( iv) and (vi):
Criterion (i): The architecture and design Mycenae and Tiryns, such as the Lion Gate and the Treasury of Atreus and the walls of Tiryns, are outstanding examples of human creative genius.
Criterion (ii): The Mycenaean civilisation, as exemplified by Mycenae and Tiryns, had a profound effect on the development of classical Greek ...
23 COM VIII.C.1
The Historic Centre (Chorá) with the Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Pátmos (Greece)
Property: The Historic Centre (Chorá) with the Monastery of Saint-John the Theologian and the Cave of the Apocalypse on the Island of Pátmos
Id. N°: 942
State Party: Greece
Criteria: C (iii) (iv) (vi)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iii), (iv) and (vi):
Criterion (iii): The town of Chorá on the Island of Pátmos is one of the few settlements in Greece that have evolved uninterruptedly since the 12th century. There are few other places in the world where religious ceremonies that date back to the ...
Property: Hortobágy National Park
Id. N°: 474 Rev
State Party: Hungary
Criteria: C (iv) (v)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iv) and (v):
Criterion (iv): The Hungarian Puszta is an exceptional surviving example of a cultural landscape constituted by a pastoral society.
Criterion (v): The landscape of the Hortobágy National Park maintains intact and visible traces of its traditional land-use forms over several thousand years, and illustrates the harmonious interaction between people and ...
Property: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
Id. N°: 944
State Party: India
Criteria: C (ii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List under criteria (ii) and (iv):
Criterion (ii): The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is an outstanding example of the influence of an innovative transportation system on the social and economic development of a multi-cultural region, which was to serve as a model for similar developments in many parts of the world.
Criterion (iv): The development of railways in the 19th century has a profound influence on social and economic ...
Sites: Mountain Railways of India
Property: Villa Adriana (Tivoli)
Id. N°: 907
State Party: Italy
Criteria: C (i) (ii) (iii)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (i),( ii) and( iii):
Criteria (i) and (iii): The Villa Adriana is a masterpiece that uniquely brings together the highest expressions of the material cultures of the ancient Mediterranean world.
Criterion (ii): Study of the monuments that make up the Villa Adriana played a crucial role in the rediscovery of the elements of classical architecture by the architects of the Renaissance and the Baroque period. ...
Sites: Villa Adriana (Tivoli)
Property: Shrines and Temples of Nikko
Id. N°: 913
State Party: Japan
Criteria: C (i) (iv) (vi)
The Committee inscribed this property on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (i), (iv) and (vi):
Criterion (i): The Nikko shrines and temples are a reflection of architectural and artistic genius; this aspect is reinforced by the harmonious integration of the buildings in a forest and a natural site laid out by people.
Criterion (iv): Nikko is a perfect illustration of the architectural style of the Edo period as applied to Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. The ...
Sites: Shrines and Temples of Nikko
Property: Historic Fortified Town of Campeche
Id. N°: 895
State Party: Mexico
Criteria: C (ii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv):
Criterion (ii): The harbour town of Campeche is an urbanization model of a Baroque colonial town, with its checkerboard street plan; the defensive walls surrounding its historic centre reflect the influence of the military architecture in the Caribbean.
Criterion (iv): The fortifications system of Campeche, an eminent example of the military architecture of the 17th and 18th ...
Property: The Archaeological Monuments Zone of Xochicalco
Id. N°: 939
State Party: Mexico
Criteria: C (iii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iii) and (iv):
Criterion (iii): Xochicalco is an exceptionally well preserved and complete example of a fortified settlement from the Epiclassic Period of Mesoamerica.
Criterion (iv): The architecture and art of Xochicalco represent the fusion of cultural elements from different parts of Mesoamerica, at a period when the breakdown of earlier political structures resulted in intensive ...
Property: Droogmakerij de Beemster (Beemster Polder)
Id. N°: 899
State Party: Netherlands
Criteria: C (i) (ii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (i), (ii), and (iv):
Criterion (i): The Beemster Polder is a masterpiece of creative planning, in which the ideals of antiquity and the Renaissance were applied to the design of a reclaimed landscape.
Criterion (ii): The innovative and intellectually imaginative landscape of the Beemster Polder had a profound and lasting impact on reclamation projects in Europe and ...
Property: Sukur Cultural Landscape
Id. N°: 938
State Party: Nigeria
Criteria: C (iii) (v) (vi)
The Committee inscribed the property on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iii), (v) and (vi):
Criterion (iii): Sukur is an exceptional landscape that graphically illustrates a form of land-use that marks a critical stage in human settlement and its relationship with its environment.
Criterion (v): The cultural landscape of Sukur has survived unchanged for many centuries, and continues to do so at a period when this form of traditional human settlement is under threat in ...
Sites: Sukur Cultural Landscape
Property: The Historic Town of Vigan
Id. N°: 502Rev
State Party: Philippines
Criteria: C (ii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the property on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv):
Criterion (ii): Vigan represents a unique fusion of Asian building design and construction with European colonial architecture and planning.
Criterion (iv): Vigan is an exceptionally intact and wellpreserved example of a European trading town in East and South-East ...
Sites: Historic City of Vigan
23 COM VIII.C.1
Kalwaria Zebrzydowska: the Mannerist architectural and Park Landscape Complex and Pilgrimage Park (Poland)
Property: Kalwaria Zebrzydowska: the Mannerist architectural and Park Landscape Complex and Pilgrimage Park
Id. N°: 905
State Party: Poland
Criteria: C (ii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv):
Criterion (ii): Kalwaria Zebrzydowska is an exceptional cultural monument in which the natural landscape was used as the setting for a symbolic representation in the form of chapels and avenues of the events of the Passion of Christ. The result is a cultural landscape of great beauty and spiritual quality in which natural ...
Property: Historic Centre of Sighisoara
Id. N°: 902
State Party: Romania
Criteria: C (iii) (v)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iii) and (v):
Criterion (iii): Sighisoara is an outstanding testimony to the culture of the Transylvanian Saxons, a culture that is coming to a close after 850 years and will continue to exist only through its architectural and urban monuments.
Criterion (v): Sighisoara is an outstanding example of a small fortified city in the border region between the Latinoriented culture of Central Europe and the ...
Property: The Dacian Fortresses of the Orastie Mountains
Id. N°: 906
State Party: Romania
Criteria: C (ii) (iii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii), (iii), and (iv):
Criterion (ii): The Dacian Fortresses represent the fusion of techniques and concepts of military architecture from inside and outside the classical world to create a unique style.
Criterion (iii): The Geto-Dacian Kingdoms of the late 1st millennium BC attained an exceptionally high cultural and socio-economic level, and this is symbolized by this group of ...
Property: Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park
Id. N°: 910
State Party: Saint Christopher & Nevis
Criteria: C (iii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iii) and (iv):
Criterion (iii): Brimstone Hill is an outstanding British fortress, built by slave labour to exact standards during a peak period of European colonial expansion in the Caribbean.
Criterion (iv): Because of its strategic layout and construction, Brimstone Hill Fortress is an exceptional and well preserved example of 17th and 18th century British military ...
23 COM VIII.C.1
The Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs (South Africa)
Property: The Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs
Id. N°: 915
State Party: South Africa
Criteria: C (iii) (vi)
The Committee inscribed this property on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iii) and (vi):
Criteria (iii) and (vi): The Sterkfontein area contains an exceptionally large and scientifically significant group of sites which throw light on the earliest ancestors of humankind. They constitute a vast reserve of scientific information, the potential of which is enormous.
In response to the Delegate of Thailand, ICOMOS ...
Property: Robben Island
Id. N°: 916
State Party: South Africa
Criteria: C (iii) (vi)
The Committee inscribed this property on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iii) and (vi):
Criterion (iii): The buildings of Robben Island bear eloquent witness to its sombre history.
Criterion (vi): Robben Island and its prison buildings symbolize the triumph of the human spirit, of freedom, and of democracy over oppression.
Many members of the Committee expressed their pleasure and emotion and congratulated South Africa for having proposed this site which symbolizes the fight ...
Sites: Robben Island
Property: San Cristóbal de la Laguna
Id. N°: 929
State Party: Spain
Criteria: C (ii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv):
Criteria (ii) and (iv): San Cristóbal de la Laguna was the first non-fortified Spanish colonial town, and its layout provided the model for many colonial towns in the Americas.
Sites: San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Property: State Historical and Cultural Park "Ancient Merv"
Id. N°: 886
State Party: Turkmenistan
Criteria: C (ii) (iii)
The Committee inscribed the property on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iii):
Criterion (ii): The cities of the Merv oasis have exerted considerable influence over the cultures of Central Asia and Iran for four millennia. Seljuk City in particular, influenced architecture and architectural decoration and scientific and cultural development.
Criterion (iii): The sequence of the cities of the Merv oasis, their fortifications, and their ...
Property: The Heart of Neolithic Orkney
Id. N°: 514 Rev
State Party: United Kingdom
Criteria: C (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (i),(ii),(iii), and (iv):
The monuments of Orkney, dating back to 3000-2000 BC, are outstanding testimony to the cultural achievements of the Neolithic peoples of northern Europe.
Sites: Heart of Neolithic Orkney
Property: Hoi An Ancient Town
Id. N°: 948
State Party: Viet Nam
Criteria: C (ii) (v)
The Committee inscribed this property on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (v):
Criterion (ii): Hoi An is an outstanding material manifestation of the fusion of cultures over time in an international commercial port.
Criterion (v): Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional Asian trading ...
Sites: Hoi An Ancient Town
Property: My Son Sanctuary
Id. N°: 949
State Party: Viet Nam
Criteria: C (ii) (iii)
The Committee inscribed this property on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iii):
Criterion (ii): The My Son Sanctuary is an exceptional example of cultural interchange, with an indigenous society adapting to external cultural influences, notably the Hindu art and architecture of the Indian sub-continent.
Criterion (iii): The Champa Kingdom was an important phenomenon in the political and cultural history of South-East Asia, vividly illustrated by the ruins of My Son.
The ...
Sites: My Son Sanctuary
Property: Butrint
Id. N°: 570 Bis
State Party: Albania
Criteria: C (iii)
ICOMOS expressed its concern that tourism developments in a small area on the coast, excluded from the proposed extension, could have a disastrous impact on the site. ICOMOS, therefore, strongly recommended that this area be included in the protected area.
The Committee decided to extend the property under the existing criterion (iii) under the condition that the excluded area would be included in the zone of the proposed enlargement.
The Delegate of Italy offered the interest of his Government to support ...
Sites: Butrint
Property: Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin - Extension
Id. N°: 532 Ter
State Party: Germany
Criteria: C (i)(ii)(iv)
The Committee approved this extension to the World Heritage site of the Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin, on the World Heritage List under the existing criteria (i), (ii) and (iv).
23 COM VIII.C.2
Extension: Ferrara, City of the Renaissance and its Po Delta (extension of Ferrara, city of the Renaissance) (Italy)
Property: Ferrara, City of the Renaissance and its Po Delta (extension of Ferrara, city of the Renaissance)
Id. N°: 733 Bis
State Party: Italy
Criteria: C (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi)
The Committee approved this extension to the World Heritage site of the City of Ferrara and to inscribe this site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iii) and (v), in addition to the already existing criteria (ii), (iv) and (vi):
Criterion (iii): The Este ducal residences in the Po Delta illustrate the influence of Renaissance culture on the natural landscape in an exceptional ...
23 COM VIII.C.2
Extension: The Villages with fortified churches in Transylvania (extension of Biertan and its Fortified Church) (Romania)
Property: The Villages with fortified churches in Transylvania (extension of Biertan and its Fortified Church)
Id. N°: 596 Bis
State Party: Romania
Criteria: C (iv)
The Committee approved this extension to the World Heritage site Biertan and its fortified church, on the World Heritage List under the existing criterion (iv).
Property: The Loire Valley between Maine and Sully-sur-Loire
Id. N°: 933
State Party: France
Criteria: C (ii) (iv)
A lengthy and substantive debate took place with regard to this nomination and on the general issue of cultural landscapes.
It was generally recognised that the Loire Valley had outstanding universal value and was worthy of being inscribed as a cultural landscape on the World Heritage List under cultural criteria (ii) and (iv). It was also noted that a Steering Committee with representation from territorial authorities and institutions involved, had been established ...
23 COM VIII.C.4
Not inscribed: Sarajevo - Unique symbol of universal multiculture -continual open city (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Property: Sarajevo - Unique symbol of universal multiculture -continual open city
Id. N°: 851 Rev
State Party: Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Committee decided not to inscribe this property on the World Heritage List.
Property: The Kysuce-Orava Switchback Railroad
Id. N°: 756
State Party: Slovakia
The Committee decided not to inscribe this property on the World Heritage List.
IX.1 The Secretariat presented the Working Document WHC-99/CONF.209/12 that contains the Action Plan for the Arab region which should be completed by December 2000, and the periodic reporting exercise for the African States that should be completed by December 2001.
IX.2 Particular mention was made of the links with the implementation of the Global Strategy. The periodic monitoring exercise would help States Parties to recognize their insufficiencies in the field of conservation and facilitate the identification of their needs. The managers of the sites will be trained and ultimately ...
23 COM X.A.1
Reports on the State of Conservation of Properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
X.1 The Committee examined that state of conservation of fifteen natural and four cultural properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
X.2 Srebarna Nature Reserve (Bulgaria)
The Committee was informed that the State Party had submitted a detailed report on the project for monitoring the state of conservation of Srebarna and, in accordance with the request of the twenty-second session of the Committee (Kyoto, Japan, 1998), the Ministry of Environment and Water of the Republic of Bulgaria had submitted a National Report "concerning the progress in restoration of ecological status of Srebarna Reserve in accordance with its removing from the List of World Heritage in Danger". IUCN and the Centre presented a review of the ...
Sites: Srebarna Nature Reserve
X.3 Manovo-Gounda-St.Floris National Park (Central African Republic (CAR))
The Committee noted with concern that the President of the State Party has not responded to letters from the Director-General and the Chairperson, transmitting the recommendations of the twenty-second session of the Committee (Kyoto, Japan, 1998), inviting the President's urgent intervention for the preparation of a detailed state of conservation report and a rehabilitation plan for the conservation of the site. IUCN informed the Committee that it has received a report that calls for an urgent project formulation ...
23 COM X.A.4
SOC: Virunga National Park, Garamba National Park, Kahuzi Biega National Park, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC))
X.4 Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Virunga National Park, Garamba National Park, Kahuzi Biega National Park, Okapi Wildlife Reserve
The Committee recalled the fact that at its last session (Kyoto, Japan, 1998) it had requested the Centre and IUCN to consult with ICCN and conservation NGOs working in the DRC and estimate the cost of paying allowances to staff at Virunga National Park as an interim measure, and submit a proposal for emergency assistance for consideration by the twenty-third session of the Bureau in 1999. The conservation NGOs, ICCN, concerned bilateral ...
X.5 Sangay National Park (Ecuador)
The Committee was pleased to note that, in accordance with the recommendation of its twenty-second session (Kyoto, 1998), the State Party had invited a mission to the site. The mission had been undertaken by IUCN experts and representatives of WWF, Fundacion Natura and the Ministry for the Environment of Ecuador, from 10 to 14 June 1999. The State Party did not have adequate time to respond to the mission's findings at the time of the twenty-third session of the Bureau (5-10 July 1999). Hence, the Bureau had requested that the State Party provide a ...
Sites: Sangay National Park
X.6 Simen National Park (Ethiopia)
The Committee noted with concern that the Centre has not yet received a response from the State Party to the letter transmitting the observations and recommendations of the twenty-third session of the Bureau (5 - 10 July 1999). IUCN had requested to consult with relevant authorities, particularly those in Bahir Dar, who disagreed with the decision of the twentieth session of the Committee (Merida, Mexico, 1996) to include Simen in the List of World Heritage in Danger. IUCN has not yet received any response to its requests in this regard. The lack of ...
Sites: Simien National Park
X.7 Mount Nimba Nature Reserve (Guinea/Cote d'Ivoire)
The Director-General of the Centre for Environmental Management of Mount Nimba (CEGEN), via his letter of 21 September 1999, has informed the Centre that the Government of Guinea created the CEGEN in 1995. It continues to explore the feasibility for exploiting the mine immediately adjacent to Mt. Nimba in a manner that would respect the integrity of the World Heritage site. The Government of Guinea, through CEGEN, has over the last few months entered into negotiations with UNDP and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to finance a ...
X.8 Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras)
The Committee was informed that the State Party has not yet responded to the recommendation of the last session of the Committee (Kyoto, Japan, 1998), reiterated by the twenty-third ordinary session of the Bureau held from 5 to 10 July 1999, to invite an IUCN/Centre mission to the site. IUCN has informed the Centre that some reports it has received question whether the Patuca II hydro power project will get approval for its implementation. The damage caused by Hurricane Mitch in 1998 appears to have revived concerns over the ecological ...
X.9 Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (India)
The Committee was informed that, as requested by the twentythird ordinary session of the Bureau (5-10 July 1999), IUCN has reviewed the justifications, provided by Indian authorities, to the budgetary revisions for the utilization of the US$ 70,000 of the US$ 90,000 approved by the twenty-first session of the Committee (Naples, Italy, 1997). The US$ 70,000 was originally intended for the reconstruction of guard camps and staff residential facilities destroyed during the Bodo militancy from 1989 to 1992. The revisions proposed suggested that the ...
Sites: Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
X.10 Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger)
The Committee was informed that the Chairperson had approved, in April 1999, US$ 20,000 for the sensitization of all stakeholders to the conservation needs of the site. The project is one of the five activities foreseen in the emergency rehabilitation plan prepared by the State Party and submitted to the twentythird session of the Bureau in July 1999. The total cost of implementing the plan is estimated at US$ 127,000. The Bureau had endorsed the plan and recommended that the Centre and IUCN explore ways and means for financing the ...
X.11 Ichkeul National Park (Tunisia)
The Committee was informed that the Bureau, at its twenty-third ordinary session in July 1999, agreed with the recommendations of a joint IUCN/Ramsar/Centre mission to the site, undertaken in February 1999, in accordance with the wish of Bureau and the Committee expressed at their respective sessions in 1998. The Bureau had welcomed the suggestion of the mission team that the State Party include, in its threat mitigation status report to the twenty-third session of the Committee, definitions of current and expected values for a set of indicators, e.g. ...
Sites: Ichkeul National Park
X.12 Everglades National Park (United States of America)
The Committee recalled that at its last session it had requested the State Party to submit an up-to-date state of conservation report on the site, including proposed action being taken by the State Party to determine impacts of rehabilitation measures on the integrity of the site and plans for the eventual removal of the site from the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Observer of the United States of America regretted the delay in the submission of the report requested by the last session of the Committee but informed the ...
Sites: Everglades National Park
X.13 Yellowstone National Park (United States of America)
The Committee recalled that at its last session it had requested the State Party to submit an up-to-date state of conservation report on the site. This should include proposed measures being taken by the State Party to determine impacts of rehabilitation measures on the integrity of the site and plans for the eventual removal of the site from the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Observer of the United States of America regretted the delay in the submission of the report requested by the last session of the Committee but ...
Sites: Yellowstone National Park
X.14 Butrint (Albania)
In response to the UNESCO-ICOMOS-Butrint Foundation assessment mission (October 1997), the Government of Albania has taken important decisions to strengthen management, planning and protection for the site. In August 1998, it created the Office for the World Heritage site of Butrint, for the coordination and implementation of actions at Butrint. In June 1999, it declared the surroundings of Butrint as a "National Park" in order to prevent illegal and inadequate developments; it is foreseen that the extended area will be incorporated in an even bigger Butrint Park. ...
Sites: Butrint
X.15 Angkor (Cambodia)
The Secretariat reported on the results of the International Coordination Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Historic Area of Angkor (ICC) which convened its plenary session in June 1999. The Committee's attention was drawn to the decision taken by the Royal Government of Cambodia to grant to a private company the collection of entry fees to Angkor Park for a five-year period, and the allocation in 1999 of US$ 800,000 by this company to the Authority for the Protection of the Site and Development of the Region of Angkor (ASPARA) for conservation ...
Sites: Angkor
X.16 Bahla Fort (Oman)
The Secretariat reported that monitoring missions were proceeding regularly and covered the preparation of the management plan of the site and of the surrounding oasis. Restoration works were entirely financed by the Omani Government that, since 1993, invested an amount of more than six million US dollars.
The Mining Museum in Bochum, Germany, provided photogrammetric records of the Fort that are indispensable for the restoration work.
The Committee thanked the State Party for its decision to finance the monitoring missions and the full cost of the restoration ...
Sites: Bahla Fort
X.17 Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru)
The Secretariat informed the Committee that it had received, some ten days before the Committee session, a copy of the very extensive and recently completed Master Plan for the site. This plan was prepared by an interdisciplinary group of experts with assistance from the World Heritage Fund. The Secretariat also reported that at the time of the meeting, the Second Pan-America Course on the Conservation and Management of Earthen Architectural and Archaeological Heritage (Government of Peru, ICCROM, CRATerre EAG, Getty Conservation Institute) was ...
23 COM X.B.18-19
Reports on the State of Conservation of Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List
X.18 The Bureau at its twenty-third extraordinary session (November 1999) examined the state of conservation of sixty-six properties inscribed on the World Heritage List (thirty natural, four mixed and thirty-two cultural properties). The extensive deliberations and recommendations of the Bureau in November 1999 were included in the report of the session that was made available to the Committee as Working Document WHC-99/CONF.209/6. The relevant section of the report of the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau is attached as Annex VIII.
X.19 The Committee examined the state ...
X.20 Iguaçu National Park (Brazil)
The Committee noted that an IUCN/UNESCO mission was carried out to this site in March 1999 and that the results were presented to the July 1999 Bureau session. The mission report dealt with four issues relevant to the integrity of this World Heritage site: The Colon road, helicopter flights, dams on the Iguaçu River, and management planning. The Committee noted that the Bureau, at its twenty-third extraordinary session, examined the issues and progress made and recommended inscription of this property on the List of World Heritage in ...
Sites: Iguaçu National Park
X.21 Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC))
The Committee noted that the heightened levels of threats due to poaching and illegal encroachments as well as the conditions which led the Bureau at its July session to recommend that the Committee inscribe this site in the List of World Heritage in Danger still prevail.
The Committee requested the Centre and IUCN to extend to Salonga the co-operation with the conservation NGOs, ICCN and other partners, targeted to raise international awareness and support for four other World Heritage sites in Danger in the DRC ...
Sites: Salonga National Park
X.22 Rwenzori Mountains (Uganda)
The Committee noted the reports on lack of resources, suspension of projects and serious security issues at the Park and that a greater part of the Park is not monitored by Park staff. The Committee also noted that the Bureau at its twenty-third session, examined the issues and recommended inscription of this property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
The Committee expressed its serious concerns regarding the security situation at this site. The Committee requested the Centre and IUCN to work closely with the Uganda Wildlife Authority. ...
X.23 Great Barrier Reef (Australia)
The Committee recalled the reports from the twenty-third ordinary and the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau on the state of conservation of this property and adopted the following decision:
"The Committee noted progress reported on the "Focused Recommendations" and the "Framework for management" relating to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (GBRWHA) at the twenty-third and the twenty-third extraordinary sessions of the Bureau. IUCN noted the framework for action, which has been prepared and that it concerns a long-term ...
Sites: Great Barrier Reef
X.24 Comoe National Park (Côte d'Ivoire)
The Committee recalled the reports from the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau on the state of conservation of this property and adopted the following decision:
"The Committee noted the discussions at the twenty-third and twentythird extraordinary sessions of the Bureau concerning illegal logging activities that are threatening the integrity of the site.
The Committee requested the State Party to consider inviting a Centre/IUCN mission to the site during the year 2000 to review threats to the integrity of the site and plan ...
Sites: Comoé National Park
X.25 Whale Sanctuary of El Viscaino (Mexico)
The Committee recalled the reports from the twenty-third ordinary and the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau on the state of conservation of this property.
The Committee noted that following its request and at the invitation of the Mexican authorities, a mission was carried out to the Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino from 23 to 28 August 1999. The full report and the recommendations of the mission were presented in Information Document WHC-99/CONF.209/INF.20.
The Secretariat introduced the report and the main findings of the ...
X.26 Doñana National Park (Spain)
The Committee recalled the reports from the twenty-third ordinary and the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau on the state of conservation of this property and adopted the following decision:
"The Committee noted that during 1998 and 1999 a number of actions were undertaken to mitigate the impacts of the ecological disaster following the spill in April 1998, in particular the results of the International Expert Meeting on the Regeneration of the Doñana Watershed in October 1999 with the participation of the World Heritage ...
Sites: Doñana National Park
X.27 St. Kilda (United Kingdom)
The Committee recalled the reports from the twenty-third ordinary and the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau on the state of conservation of this property and adopted the following decision:
The Committee noted that a round table meeting on the state of conservation of the site was held in Edinburgh on 24 September 1999 with the participation of a representative from IUCN/WCPA and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
IUCN underlined that it does not recommend that this site be placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
The Delegate of ...
Sites: St Kilda
X.28 The Committee noted the decisions of the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau as reflected in the Report of the Bureau session (Working Document WHC-99/CONF.209/6) included as Annex VIII to this report. Additional observations made during the Committee session are reflected below.
Shark Bay, Western Australia (Australia)
Wet Tropics of Queensland (Australia)
Heard and McDonald Islands (Australia)
The Delegate of Australia thanked IUCN for the consultative process started, which could be a model for other State Parties. He also informed the Committee that the area of ...
Sites: Białowieża Forest Bwindi Impenetrable National Park Canaima National Park Dja Faunal Reserve Galápagos Islands Gough and Inaccessible Islands Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago Heard and McDonald Islands Huascarán National Park Kaziranga National Park Komodo National Park Lake Baikal Los Katíos National Park Morne Trois Pitons National Park Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest Ngorongoro Conservation Area Sagarmatha National Park Serengeti National Park Shark Bay, Western Australia Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand Wet Tropics of Queensland
X.29 Tasmanian Wilderness (Australia)
The Committee recalled the reports from the twenty-third ordinary and the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau on the state of conservation of this property and adopted the following decision:
"The Committee requested the Australian Committee for IUCN (ACIUCN) to complete its review process on the state of conservation of the Tasmanian Wilderness with the aim of submitting an up-to-date report to the twenty-fourth session of the Bureau in 2000. ACIUCN's review should include reference to any continuing concerns, such as those noted at ...
Sites: Tasmanian Wilderness
X.30 Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (China)
The Committee recalled the report from the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau on the state of conservation of this property and adopted the following decision:
"The Committee requested the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, before 15 April 2000, a state of conservation report on developments at "Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area."
X.31 Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (Peru)
The Committee recalled the reports from the twenty-third ordinary and the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau on the state of conservation of this property and adopted the following decision:
"The Committee, having examined the report of the World Heritage Centre-IUCN-ICOMOS mission to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (made available to the Committee as Information Document WHC-99/CONF.209/INF.21), endorsed the conclusions and recommendations contained in it.
The Committee congratulated the Government of Peru on the ...
X.32 The Committee noted the decision of the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau as reflected in the Report of the Bureau session (Working Document WHC-99/CONF.209/6) and included in Annex VIII on the following property.
Kakadu National Park (Australia)
Sites: Kakadu National Park
X.33 Groups of Monuments at Hampi (India)
The Committee recalled the reports from the twenty-third ordinary and the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau on the state of conservation of this property and adopted the following decision:
"The Committee examined the findings of the UNESCO reactive monitoring mission, and expressing deep concern over the partial construction of two cable-suspended bridges within the protected archaeological areas of Hampi, decided to inscribe the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
In view of the ascertained and potential dangers ...
Sites: Group of Monuments at Hampi