The World Heritage Committee,
Taking into consideration Rule 8 (Observers) of the Rules of Procedure of the Committee,
Authorizes the participation in the 37th session as observers of those representatives of the international governmental organizations (IGOs), international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), permanent observer missions to UNESCO and non profit-making institutions having activities in the fields covered by the Convention, who have requested observer participation at the session and as listed in Section A of document ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/3A;
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned document.
37 COM 3B
Provisional timetable of the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee (Phnom Penh, 2013)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/3B.Rev,
2. Adopts the timetable included in the above-mentioned document.
37 COM 5A
Report of the World Heritage Centre on its activities and the implementation of the World Heritage Committee’s Decisions
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/5A,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 5A.1 adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Takes note with appreciation of the results of the activities undertaken by the World Heritage Centre over the past year in pursuit of its five strategic objectives as presented in Document WHC-13/37.COM/5A;
4. Notes the consultations between the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies towards the elaboration of a thematic paper proposing to States Parties general guidance regarding the management of their ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/5B,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 5B adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Takes note of the reports of the Advisory Bodies (ICCROM, ICOMOS and IUCN) on their activities and expresses its gratitude for the efforts undertaken;
4. Welcomes the harmonization of the reports by the Advisory Bodies and the comments on the progress made and also takes note of the gaps identified in the implementation of the Convention ...
37 COM 5C
Summary and Follow-up of the Director General’s meeting on “The World Heritage Convention: Thinking Ahead” (UNESCO HQs, 2-3 October 2012)
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/5C;
Recalling Decisions 33 COM 5A, 34 COM 5C, 35 COM 5D and 36 COM 12B adopted at its 33rd (Seville, 2009), 34th (Brasilia, 2010), 35th (UNESCO, 2011) and 36th (Saint Petersburg, 2012) sessions respectively,
Takes note of the Summary of the Director General’s meeting on “The World Heritage Convention : Thinking Ahead” (UNESCO HQs, 2-3 October 2012);
Acknowledges the follow-up actions already undertaken and urges to pursue efforts in the framework of the implementation plans of the UNESCO External Auditor ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/5D and Document WHC-13/37 COM/INF.5D,
Adopts the revised PACT strategy to improve the development of partnerships for World Heritage with the private sector, their implementation and their evaluation through adequate tools and guidelines;
Requests the Secretariat to continue to report, in an analytical manner, on the implementation of the PACT strategy by submitting at each regular session of the World Heritage Committee a detailed inventory of on-going and envisaged partnerships as an Annex to the Report ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/5E,
Takes note with appreciation of the results of the activities undertaken for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention under the theme “World Heritage and Sustainable Development: the Role of Local Communities”;
Requests the World Heritage Centre, in cooperation with the Advisory Bodies and in the framework of the Capacity Building Strategy, to seek extrabudgetary support with a view to the possible establishment, on a biennial basis, of a recognition of a best practice in ...
37 COM 6
Follow-up to the World Heritage Capacity Building Strategy and Progress report on the World Heritage related category 2 centres
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/6,
2. Recalling Decisions 35 COM 9B, 36 COM 6 and 36 COM 9B , adopted at its 35th (UNESCO, 2011) and 36th (Saint Petersburg, 2012) sessions respectively,
3. Welcomes the progress made on the implementation of the World Heritage Capacity Building Strategy (WHCBS) and the capacity building activities carried out in 2012 and 2013;
4. Thanks the Government of Switzerland for its continued support for the implementation of the World Heritage Capacity Building Strategy;
5. Calls on all States Parties and ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Documents WHC-13/37.COM/7A, WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add, WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add.2, WHC-13/37.COM/7B, WHC-13/37.COM/7B.Add and WHC-13/37.COM/7B.Add.Corr,
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2. Expresses its utmost concern about the many conflicts which are affecting World Heritage properties and in particular the recent cases where World Heritage properties are intentionally destroyed by parties involved in the conflict, and the people in charge of their protection targeted;
3. Takes note of the efforts of the World Heritage Centre and partners to try to ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.1 adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
Takes note with satisfaction of the adoption by the countries of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) of a Plan of Extreme Emergency Anti-Poaching in the northern zone of Central Africa as well as the agreement being validated between the Central African Republic, Chad and Cameroon to combat large-scale transfrontier poaching and launches an appeal to the States Parties concerned for this agreement ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7.A.2 adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Warmly welcomes the important progress accomplished by the State Party in the implementation of certain corrective measures since the normalization of the security situation, notably regaining control of the property by the management authority and the resumption of management and surveillance operations once again;
4. Regrets that the State Party has ...
Sites: Comoé National Park
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.3 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Takes note of the conclusion of the joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN mission that the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property is still present but that it remains threatened by increasing anthropogenic pressures, notably uncontrolled fires, poaching, destruction of habitats on the periphery of the property, extension of agricultural and forestry practices on the boundaries ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.4 adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Addresses its most sincere condolences to the families of the guards killed in operations for the protection of the Park;
4. Expresses its utmost concern as to the degradation of the security situation that has serious repercussions on the state of conservation of the property, notably the loss of control of a part of the property, the increase in organized and armed ...
Sites: Virunga National Park
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.5 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
Expresses its utmost concern about the renewed insecurity as a result of the infiltration of armed groups which has led to the suspension of surveillance in the lowland sector, covering 90% of the property;
Considers that there is a significant risk that the achievements made in implementing the corrective measures will again be lost and notes that restoring security is the pre-condition for implementing the ...
Sites: Kahuzi-Biega National Park
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.6 adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
Expresses its utmost concern regarding the alarming reduction of the elephant population by 85% compared to the number present at the time of inscription of the site on the World Heritage List, and the fact that the presence of the Northern White Rhinoceros in the property remains unconfirmed;
Regrets the increase in poaching due to persistent pockets of armed groups, notably the ”Lord’s Resistance Army” (LRA) as well ...
Sites: Garamba National Park
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.7 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
Warmly welcomes the important efforts of the State Party to secure the property and reduce large-scale poaching, notably elephants, enabling the management authority to regain control of 80% of the property;
Takes note of the progress reported by the property managers and their partners concerning the participatory management of the natural resources and their involvement in the marking of the property;
Considers that ...
Sites: Salonga National Park
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add,
Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.7 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
Expresses its deep concern at the continued deterioration of the security situation in the property, the total loss of control of the southern part and its buffer zone, invaded by Simba rebels, increased poaching and the reopening of artisanal mining sites and considers that if this situation continues it is likely to destroy all progress made over the past five years;
Notes with concern the results of the ...
Sites: Okapi Wildlife Reserve
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add,
Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.36 adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
Welcomes the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee, a framework agreement with the Mining Cadaster and the progress made in the establishment of the Trust Fund, also known as "Okapi Fund";
Notes with concern the worsening of insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage properties in this region;
Reiterates its ...
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add,
Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.9 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
Welcomes the report by the State Party that the re-gazettal of the Simien Mountains National Park in its revised boundaries is almost completed as well as the efforts to strengthen the management effectiveness of the property and to implement the recommendations of previous monitoring missions;
Also welcomes the successful organization of the donor conference and requests the State Party to follow up with the ...
Sites: Simien National Park
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.10 adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Welcomes important progress made by the State Party in the implementation of the corrective measures as well as its clear political will as expressed by the Prime Minister to eliminate all illegal stocks of rosewood;
4. Takes note of the preparatory studies which are underway to identify possible solutions and requests that the results are reviewed and discussed by the relevant ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.10 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Regrets that the lack of precise information in the State Party’s report prevents a meaningful assessment of the implementation of corrective measures identified by the IUCN monitoring mission of 2005 in response to Committee decisions;
4. Reiterates its deep concern about the serious deterioration of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property but notes with satisfaction ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.12 adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Notes with satisfaction the efforts undertaken by the State Party to reinforce the anti-poaching measures and the delineation of the property, in consultation with the neighbouring communities, and encourages the State Party to strengthenthe operational means for the mobile brigades throughout the year by establishing a special anti-poaching budget;
4. However, expresses once ...
Sites: Niokolo-Koba National Park
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7B.13 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Welcomes progress on several items previously requested by the Committee, but notes that these have not yet been finalized, and urges the State Party to continue its efforts, namely to:
a) Finalize the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger in consultation with IUCN and the World Heritage ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.14 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Welcomes the significant effort of the State Party to provide clear indication of the trends in conditions for the indicators developed for the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger and to connect them to the 14 corrective measures allowing a comprehensive report on progress;
4. Notes with appreciation that the State Party ...
Sites: Everglades National Park
Decision : 37 COM 7A.16
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.15 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Commends the State Party for the progress made in implementing certain corrective measures, but urges it to address as a matter of priority the critically important issues related to permanent cessation of the sale and lease of lands throughout the property, clear definition and strict control of development rights on existing private and leased lands, the restoration of ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 36COM 7A.16 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Acknowledges the notable progress made by the State Party in response to the updated corrective measures and towards the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
4. Encourages the State Party to consolidate the current efforts in order to be able to meet the indicators established for the removal of the property from ...
Sites: Los Katíos National Park
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A;
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.17 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012);
3. Welcomes progress made towards the land titling for communities surrounding the property and in the provision of instruments designed to provide managed access to natural resources, and encourages the State Party to put in place further measures to provide greater tenure and livelihood security for indigenous communities and to ensure respect for their rights;
4. Also welcomes ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decisions 36 COM 7B.106 and 36 COM 7B.107 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Commends the State Party for having requested emergency assistance from the World Heritage Fund to implement priority actions to strengthen the protection of the Timbuktu property;
4. Expresses its concern regarding the damage caused to the Timbuktu property, in particular to the 11 mausoleums and the door on the western side of the Djingareyberre Mosque ...
Sites: Timbuktu
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decisions 36 COM 7B.106 and 36 COM 7B.107 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Commends the State Party for its request for emergency assistance from the World Heritage Fund to implement priority actions to strengthen protection for the Tomb of Askia property;
4. Expresses its concern with regards to the lack of maintenance of the property causing the deterioration of its architectural elements and increasing the risk of collapse of its ...
Sites: Tomb of Askia
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.18 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Welcomes the continued progress made by the State Party on preliminary work for the major reconstruction project on the Muzibu Azaala Mpanga, in particular the continuing research on traditional architecture, the training of craftspeople, capacity building in skills, and pilot re-building projects, and urges it to continue its efforts in ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.19 adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Notes with appreciation the progress made by the State Party in the implementation of the corrective measures and encourages it to continue its efforts, particularly in the approval and the sustained implementation of the management plan and the clarification of the boundaries of the property;
4. Requests the State Party to provide three printed and electronic copies of ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.20, adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Notes with alarm the devastating effect the de-watering has had on the archaeological remains, and urges the State Party to undertake conservation condition surveys as soon as possible and establish a prioritized treatment programme that could be implemented urgently;
4. Also notes the need to delay immediate de-watering of the remaining archaeological areas until adequate stabilisation ...
Sites: Abu Mena
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.21 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Welcomes the announcement by the State Party of the cancellation of the Makhool Dam project;
4. Requests the State Party to submit, in accordance to Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines , the details of all on-going or planned interventions at the site, including the construction of the protective shelter at the Royal Cemetery;
5. Reiterates its invitation ...
Sites: Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-17/37.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.22 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Urges the State Party to pursue its efforts in implementing the recommendations of the 2011 reactive monitoring mission, and to prioritize the implementation of the following actions:
a) Develop baseline documentation, including missing architectural plans and topographic surveys, carry out a detailed conservation condition survey,
b) Undertake identified ...
Sites: Samarra Archaeological City
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The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/ 37.COM/7A.Add 2,
2. Recalling the relevant provisions on the protection of cultural heritage including the four Geneva Conventions (1949), the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict of 1954 and its related protocols, the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972, the inscription of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls at the request of Jordan on the World Heritage List (1981) and on the ...
37 COM 7A.27
Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Palestine) (C 1433)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 8B.5 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Requests the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to develop proposals for corrective measures and for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, together with a timeframe for their implementation, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.24, adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Acknowledges the efforts made by the State Party in the implementation of the corrective measures and urges it to secure adequate resources and support to ensure their sustained and comprehensive implementation;
4. Welcomes the development of the Conservation Plan and also urges the State Party to allocate the necessary resources for its ...
Sites: Historic Town of Zabid
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM7A.2 5 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Reiterates its request to the State Party to continue its efforts in the implementation of all the corrective measures adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007), and requests the State Party to update the time frame for their implementation in order to achieve the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in ...
37 COM 7A.30
Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Afghanistan) (C 208 rev)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.26, adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Commends the progress made by the State Party on the implementation of the corrective measures and on capacity building;
4. Takes note of the concerns expressed by the State Party on the critical condition of the large Western Buddha niche;
5. Urges the State Party to:
a) finalise the Management Plan with an overall strategy of ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 3 6 COM 7A.2 7 , adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
3. Commends the considerable efforts made by the State Party, with the support of the international community, to address the threats that led to the inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger and to implement the corrective measures;
4. Considers that the State Party has addressed the work needed to complete the remaining ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decisions 34 COM 7B.88 , 35 COM 7A.29 , 36 COM 7A.30 ,adopted at its 34th (Brasilia, 2010), 35th (UNESCO, 2011) and 36th (Saint-Petersburg, 2012) sessions respectively,
3. Welcomes the progress in the implementation of the conservation programme plan for Gelati Monastery and encourages the State Party to continue to implement all relevant conservation measures regarding Gelati Monastery, including elaboration of a management ...
Sites: Gelati Monastery
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decisions 34 COM 7A.27 , 35 COM 7A.30 and 36 COM 7A.31, adopted at its 34th (Brasilia, 2010), 35th (UNESCO, 2011) and 36th (Saint-Petersburg, 2012) sessions respectively,
3. Acknowledges the detailed information provided by the State Party on the progress made to implement the corrective measures and urges the State Party to continue its work on all the corrective measures adopted at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010);
4. ...
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Decides to adjourn the debate on this agenda item until its next ordinary session.
Sites: Medieval Monuments in Kosovo