World Heritage Centre

38 COM 7A.34 Manovo Gounda St. Floris National Park (Central African Republic) (N 475)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A.Add,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.1, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Regrets the degradation of the security situation in the Central African Republic marked by an outbreak of violence and internal conflicts;
Reiterates its utmost concern regarding the likely disappearance of most of the flagship species of large mammals in the property, due to poaching and the impact of transhumant cattle, and expresses its deep concern as regards the further deterioration of the situation since its last session;
Also expresses its continuing concern that the property may lose its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) which may lead to its deletion from the World Heritage List, in conformity with Paragraph 176 d) and Chapter IV.C of the Operational Guidelines and requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN reactive monitoring mission as soon as the security situation permits, to assess whether there remain perspectives for regeneration of the characteristics of the property that justify its OUV;
Reiterates its request to the State Party to organize a workshop to assess the feasibility of the restoration of the OUV of the property in the current conditions of security and based on these conclusions, the eventual preparation of an emergency action plan in accordance with the corrective measures adopted by the Committee at its 33rd session (Seville, 2009);
Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, a progress report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the current state of conservation of the property and the perspectives of regeneration of the characteristics of the property that justify its OUV, as well as the conditions of integrity, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
Decides to continue the application of the Reinforced Monitoring mechanism to this property;
Decides to retain Manovo Gounda St. Floris National Park (Central African Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

38 COM 7A.35 Comoé National Park (Côte d’Ivoire) (N 227)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.2, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Commends the State Party for the efforts undertaken in the implementation of the corrective measures and the actions carried out with the local populations in establishing the Village Conservation and Development Associations (VCDA) and their involvement in surveillance patrols;
Notes with concern the delay in carrying out the wildlife inventory to enable the identification of value indicators for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger and requests the State Party to give priority to this inventory;
Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, in consultation with IUCN, a proposal for the value indicators for the Desired state of conservation, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
Reiterates its request to the State Party to officially confirm as soon as possible, that no mining research or exploitation permit, industrial or artisanal, affects the property and to submit to the World Heritage Centre the results of the impact studies on mining research permits granted in the northern part of the property on its Outstanding universal value, in conformity with the IUCN’s World Heritage advice note on Environmental Assessments;
Further requests the State Party to urgently update the management plan and the establishment of the rehabilitation plan so as to coordinate efficiently all the control, rehabilitation and monitoring actions;
Furthermore requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the corrective measures and the above-mentioned issues, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
Decides to retain Comoé National Park (Côte d'Ivoire) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

38 COM 7A.36 Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Côte d’Ivoire/Guinea) (N 155 bis)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A.Add,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.3, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Welcomes the progress reported by the Ivorian and Guinean State Parties in the implementation of the corrective measures, notably the efforts to restore the integrity of the property and strengthen its management capacity;
Notes with concern that the Guinean State Party does not appear to have established a strategy to prolong the accomplishments of the UNDP/GEF (Global Environmental Facility) Programme for conservation of the biodiversity of Mount Nimba that supports the implementation of the corrective measures, foreseen to end in June 2014;
Comments the efforts in setting up transboundary cooperation on the Nimba Massif and requests the State Parties to continue efforts to develop a common management plan for the Massif and create a trust fund and implement the agreement through common actions in the field, notably the establishment of a harmonized ecological monitoring system and trans-boundary surveillance;
Encourages the State Parties to work on the development of a trans-boundary project in cooperation with the GEF and other potential donors to better combine their efforts for the sustainable protection of the OUV of the property;
Welcomes the fact that the Guinean Office for Environmental Assessment has confirmed that the mining companies are obliged to carry out a Strategic Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (SEA) to take account of cumulative impacts on the OUV, and also requests the Guinean State Party to finalize this SEA taking into account the IUCN World Heritage advice note on Environmental Impact Assessments and to submit it to the World Heritage Centre for evaluation by IUCN prior to any decision for approval of their conclusions and recommendations, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines ;
Reiterates its request to the Guinean State Party to revise the boundaries of the mining permit of the SAMA Resources Company to eliminate all encroachment on the property;
Urges the State Parties to continue their efforts to implement the corrective measures, as approved by the Committee in its Decision 37 COM 7A.3;
Further requests the State Parties to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, a joint updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and on the implementation of the above-mentioned points, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
Decides to retain Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Guinea / Côte d'Ivoire) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

38 COM 7A.37 Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (N 63)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A.Add,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.4 adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Notes with appreciation the efforts deployed by the park staff to continue to ensure the conservation of the property despite life threatening conditions, and expresses its most sincere condolences to the families of the guards killed in operations for the protection of the property;
Reiterates its deep concern about the fact that the State Party has not revised the authorizations for petroleum exploration in the Park, as requested in its previous Decisions, as well as about the commencement of oil exploration activities in Lake Edward and the statement by the Minister for Hydrocarbons that the government envisages to proceed with petroleum exploitation inside the property if economically viable oil reserves are confirmed;
Reiterates its request to the State Party to cancel all the oil exploitation permits granted within the property and reiterates its position that oil, gas and mineral exploration and exploitation are incompatible with World Heritage status;
Congratulates the TOTAL Company for its commitment not to explore or exploit for oil or gas in sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, a principle to which the Shell Company had already subscribed;
Takes note of the press statement of SOCO not to undertake or commission any exploratory or other drilling within Virunga National Park unless UNESCO and the DRC Government agree that such activities are not incompatible with its World Heritage status, not to conduct any operations in any other World Heritage site and to ensure that any current of future operations in buffer zones adjacent to World Heritage sites do not jeopardize the Outstanding Universal Value for which these sites are listed;
Reiterates its request to States Parties to the Convention to do their utmost to ensure that the mining or petroleum companies established on their territories do not damage World Heritage properties, in accordance with Article 6 of the Convention ;
Notes with concern that while the security situation has improved slightly there is still the presence of different armed groups active in and around the property, resulting in limited progress in the implementation of the corrective measures due to the instability in the region;
Expresses its utmost concern about the limited support park staff is receiving from the Government to address the threats to the property, in particular the continued involvement of the military in various illegal activities such as charcoal making, poaching and illegal fishing, and the lack of support from the authorities to address encroachment on the property, and further reiterates its request to the State Party to implement the commitments made by the Congolese Government in the Kinshasa Declaration of January 2011;
Requests for a clear and written commitment from SOCO, or any other oil company, not to explore nor exploit oil and gas in any World Heritage site, including Virunga National Park;
Urges the State Party to implement the corrective measures as updated by the 2014 joint World Heritage Centre / IUCN reactive monitoring mission:
1. Cancel all the oil exploitation permits granted within the property,
2. Take all necessary measures to stop the involvement of the Congolese Army and Navy in the illegal exploitation of the natural resources of the park, in particular poaching, charcoal making and fishing,
3. Strengthen the efforts to disarm all armed groups operating in and around the property,
4. Take measures at the highest level to enable the Congolese Nature Conservation Institute (ICCN) to continue without political interference, the peaceful evacuation of illegal occupants from the property,
5. Continue law enforcement focusing on priority areas, and pursue activities to re-establish a system of good governance for fishing activities on Lake Edward,
6. Pursue communication and awareness-raising actions targeted towards the authorities and local populations,
7. Pursue actions to eliminate all production of charcoal within the property, and promote alternative energy sources, in particular the development of small scale hydropower outside the property;
Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, a detailed report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property, including an update of the progress accomplished in the implementation of the corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
Decides to continue the application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism of the property;
Also decides to retain Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

38 COM 7A.38 Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (N 137)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.5, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Welcomes the reported improvement in the security situation which has allowed the park staff to again start patrolling the areas previously out of control and notes that restoring the security is a pre-condition for implementing the corrective measures and restoring the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property;
Also welcomes the ongoing efforts of the State Party to carry out a survey of the main populations of wildlife in the lowland sectors of the property to enable an assessment of the state of its OUV, as well as the establishment of a timetable for the rehabilitation of the property;
Also notes that the area of the property covered by ranger patrolling remains limited, and requests the State Party to take urgent measures to improve the efficiency and security of patrols and curb the illegal activities, in particular poaching and mining;
Expresses its concern that no progress was made in evacuating the ecological corridor, which is crucial to ensure ecological connectivity between the highland and lowland sectors, nor in the cancelling of mining concessions and reiterates its request to the State Party to cancel land rights illegally granted in the property as well as mining concessions encroaching on the property, in conformity with the commitments made in the Kinshasa Declaration, and the Committee’s established position that extractive activities are incompatible with World Heritage status;
Urges the State Party to continue its efforts to implement the corrective measures to restore the OUV of the property;
Also requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre / IUCN reactive monitoring mission to the property as soon as the results of the wildlife survey are available, in order to re-assess the state of conservation of the property, to update the corrective measures, to establish a new time frame for their implementation and to finalize the Desired state of conservation of the property for removal from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2015, a detailed report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property, including an update of progress achieved in the implementation of the corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
Decides to continue the application of the Reinforced monitoring mechanism to the property;
Also decides to retain Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

38 COM 7A.39 Garamba National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (N 136)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.6 adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Welcomes the improvement in the security situation as a result of the military operations to contain the Lord Resistance Army and considers that it is a key condition to halt poaching in the property and start the rehabilitation of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV);
Commends the State Party for its efforts to strengthen the operational capacities of the Congolese Nature Conservation Institute (ICCN), in particular by making available arms and ammunitions for surveillance activities, in line with the Kinshasa Declaration of January 2011, and also commends the management authority and its partners for their efforts to extend the surveillance area in the property and halt the poaching;
Thanks the European Commission, the World Bank, the Government of Spain and other donors for their continued strong financial support for the property, despite the difficult security context;
Reiterates its 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 Northern White Rhinoceros is likely to be extinct;
Urges the State Party to continue its efforts to implement the corrective measures to rehabilitate the OUV of the property;
Requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre / IUCN reactive monitoring mission to the property to re-asses its state of conservation, to update the corrective measures and establish a new time frame for their implementation and to finalize the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, a detailed report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and on the progress achieved in the implementation of the corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
Decides to continue the application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism for the property;
Also decides to retain Garamba National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

38 COM 7A.40 Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (N 280)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.7 adopted during its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Welcomes with satisfaction the important efforts of the State Party to secure the property and the efforts of the patrols to reduce professional poaching of elephants, and encourages the State Party to continue these efforts and to reinforce them where pockets of resistance still remain;
Takes note of the difficulties reported by the managers of the property concerning the participatory management of natural resources and their implication in the demarcation of the property and also encourages the State Party to establish a community conservation strategy;
Urges the State Party to continue to implement the corrective measures, as updated by the joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN reactive monitoring mission in 2012 to rehabilitate the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property;
Launches an appeal to donors to provide the necessary financial and technical support to the site manager for the implementation of the corrective measures;
Reiterates its request to the State Party to undertake inventories of flagship species to quantify the state of the OUV of the property and the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger as well to establish a realistic timetable;
Regrets that the State Party has not provided detailed information regarding the oil exploration and exploitation projects in the central basin that risk encroaching into the property, as requested by the Committee at its 36th and 37th sessions and urges the State Party to provide this information;
Recalls its position that mining is incompatible with World Heritage status, which is supported by the International Council of Mining and Metals (ICMM) international position statement of not undertaking such activities within World Heritage properties;
Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the points mentioned above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
Decides to continue to apply the Reinforced Monitoring mechanism;
Also decides to retain Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

38 COM 7A.41 Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (N 718)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A.Add,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.8, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Expresses its deepest concern as regards the degradation of the security situation at the property, the loss of control of approximately 75% of the Reserve, the increase in poaching and the reopening of several artisanal mining works, and considers that this situation risks destroying, if it continues, all the progress achieved over five years;
Notes with concern the results of the 2010/2011 inventories that demonstrate that the degradation of the Outstanding universal value (OUV) of the property has continued and that the impacts of the security situation risk to further exacerbate the situation;
Commends the efforts of the staff of the property who, at great risk, continue its efforts for the conservation of the property, and notes that the guards continue to lack the necessary material support to combat poachers;
Recalls the commitments undertaken by the Congolese Government in the Kinshasa Declaration, dated January 2011, notably regarding the security of World Heritage properties, and the strengthening of the operational capacities of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), in particular the availability of equipment necessary for surveillance activities;
Urges the State Party to continue its efforts to implement the corrective measures, updated by the joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN reactive monitoring mission of 2014, as well as preventive measures to halt and reverse the degradation of the OUV of the property:
1. Continue the efforts to solve the problems linked to the presence of the military involved in illegal activities and obtain support of the military hierarchy to assist in respect of the laws,
2. Close down all the artisanal mining quarries and cancel all the mining titles that encroach the property and which are granted illegally by the Mining Cadastre, especially those granted to the KiloGold Society,
3. Undertake measures to mitigate the impacts linked to the increase in traffic within the property, and notably by mobilising the necessary technical and financial resources to contribute towards the functioning of the immigration control system, and by legalizing and increasing the scope of the pilot system to regulate and monitor immigration and traffic on the RN4, including the possibility of closing the RN4 to traffic at night and setting up a toll system,
4. Finalize and approve the management plan for the property, with the creation of an integral conservation zone,
5. Integrate the activities of the Committee for Visits and Passage (CSP) and the Local Committees for Monitoring and Conservation of Natural Resources (CLSCN) in the management activities of the livelihood zones (agricultural and hunting zones) for which management modalities remain to be defined in the management plan,
6. Continue efforts to strengthen and revitalize the surveillance mechanism and render it more efficient,
7. Prepare and implement a zoning plan of the forest areas adjacent to the property to act as protection against negative impacts of unsustainable exploitation of the forest,
8. Strengthen communication and cooperation between all the stakeholders and the State services to increase the conservation of the natural resources of the property,
9. Support the establishment and the active operation of the permanent consultation framework recommended by the Mambasa Round Table (11-12 May 2013) with all parties concerned to contribute in strengthening security at the property and the sustainable conservation of its natural resources;
Also recalls the obligations of the Congolese Government linked to the protection of the values of the property and the other World Heritage properties on its territory, with regard to the illegal detention, transport, commerce and exportation of natural resources such as timber, minerals, plants and live wild animals or their products, like ivory;
Requests the State Party to also implement the other recommendations of the joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN mission of 2014;
Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, a detailed report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property, with an update on progress accomplished in the implementation of the corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
Decides to continue to apply the Reinforced Monitoring mechanism to the property;
Also decides to retain Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

38 COM 7A.42 General Decision on the properties of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A.Add,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.9, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013) and reaffirming the need to implement the Kinshasa Declaration adopted in 2011,
Notes that the security situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has improved since the last session but that it still remains unstable and commends the courage of the staff of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) and its efforts to protect the World Heritage properties;
Urges the State Party to guarantee the implementation of the commitments undertaken in the Kinshasa Declaration and to ensure the execution of the Strategic Plan of Action and requests the State Party to approve the decree to officialise the creation of an inter-ministerial committee and allocate the necessary technical and financial means to ensure adequate monitoring in the implementation of the Kinshasa Declaration;
Reiterates its utmost concern as regards the Hydrocarbons Code that could make possible oil exploitation activities in protected areas and also urges the State Party to ensure that the protection status of the World Heritage properties be maintained;
Also requests the State Party to review the mining and oil exploration and exploitation titles to exclude the World Heritage properties and not to grant further titles within the boundaries of the properties of the DRC and recalls its position that mining and oil exploration is incompatible with World Heritage status;
Congratulates the TOTAL Company for its commitment not to carry out oil or gas exploration and exploitation activities in properties inscribed on the World Heritage List, a principle to which the Shell Company has already subscribed;
Takes note of the press statement of SOCO not to undertake or commission any exploratory or other drilling within Virunga National Park unless UNESCO and the DRC Government agree that such activities are not incompatible with its World Heritage status, not to conduct any operations in any other World Heritage site and to ensure that any current or future operations in buffer zones adjacent to World Heritage sites do not jeopardize the Outstanding Universal Value for which these sites are listed;
Warmly welcomes the support of donor countries in the conservation of the five DRC properties, and calls on the international community to continue to provide support in the implementation of the corrective measures and the Strategic Action Plan to create the necessary conditions for the rehabilitation of the Outstanding Universal Value of the five DRC properties;
Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, a detailed report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the implementation of the Kinshasa Declaration, the situation regarding mining and oil exploration and exploitation titles that encroach World Heritage properties, and the Hydrocarbons Code, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015.

38 COM 7A.43 Simien National Park (Ethiopia) (N 9)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.10, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Welcomes the State Party’s efforts to complete the re-gazettal of Simien Mountains National Park in 2014 as well as its sustained efforts to strengthen the management effectiveness of the property and to implement the corrective measures;
Considers that if sufficient financial resources are secured to complete the implementation of the corrective measures, it should be possible to achieve the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger in the near future;
Notes with appreciation the support already provided by different donors to assist the State Party with the implementation of the corrective measures, and reiterates its call to the international community to increase the financial support to the property for a speedy implementation of the remaining corrective measures;
Requests the State Party to follow up with the interested donors and conservation partners who attended the 2012 donor conference in order to mobilize the additional funding required; reiterates its request to review the Grazing Pressure Reduction Strategy in order to identify priorities for immediate implementation;
Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and on the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
Decides to retain the Simien National Park (Ethiopia) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

38 COM 7A.44 Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar) (N 1257)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.11, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Commends the efforts undertaken by the State Party in the implementation of the corrective measures and the commitments contained in the action plan annexed to the decision of the Conference of Parties of CITES in Bangkok (COP16);
Welcomes the clear political will of the State Party as expressed by the President of the Republic of Madagascar to undertake the necessary measures to halt the illegal traffic of rosewood;
Notes with concern an increase in illegal logging since end-2013 and the continued illegal exportation despite the embargo established in the framework of the CITES action plan and requests the State Party to strengthen the surveillance mechanism that has been weakened since the elections;
Urges the State Party of Madagascar as well as the recipient States Parties of the illegal traffic to reinforce efforts to respect the embargo and to inform the port and airport authorities of their respective capitals of the fraudulent nature of the exportation of rosewood from Madagascar;
Also requests the State Party to postpone the sale and exportation of the illegal stocks until the results of the current studies as well as the endorsement of the CITES Permanent Committee have been obtained and reiterates the importance of the consultation process with all the stakeholders;
Also reiterates that the elimination of illegal logging in the components of the property and the illegal stocks constitute a key condition for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
Further requests the State Party to continue its efforts in the implementation of the corrective measures and the recommendations of the 2011 joint UNESCO/IUCN mission that have not yet been entirely implemented;
Requests furthermore the State Party to invite a joint UNESCO/IUCN reactive monitoring mission to the property to assess this progress and the progress achieved in the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, and to update, if necessary, the corrective measures and the timetable for their implementation;
Requests moreover the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, a detailed report, including a 1-page executive summary on the state of conservation of the entire serial property, including an evaluation of the implementation of the corrective measures, and information on progress made towards achieving the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
Decides to retain the Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar) on the List of World Heritage in Danger

38 COM 7A.45 Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger) (N 573)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.10, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Welcomes the efforts undertaken by the State Party in the areas of defence and land restoration, demining and reinforcement of the physical presence of forestry agents in the property, and requests the State Party to continue its efforts to implement the corrective measures and strengthen the management structure of the property, by providing the necessary human, material and financial resources for its efficient operation;
Expresses its deep concern regarding the degradation of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property linked to the illegal activities such as poaching and abusive logging, and requests the State Party to prioritize the combat against these illegal activities;
Takes note of the information provided by the State Party according to which an inventory mission is foreseen for 2014 to confirm and quantify the presence of flagship wildlife species (white antelope, dama gazelle and Saharan cheetah) within the property, and reiterates its request to the State Party to invite an IUCN reactive monitoring mission to the property as soon as the results of this inventory are available, to assess its state of conservation, update the corrective measures and establish a timetable for their implementation, and to develop a proposal for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
Also requests the State Party to provide more information together with maps concerning the demining activities within the property;
Also takes note of information provided by the State Party concerning the absence of extraction activities in and on the periphery of the property and further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015 a detailed report, including a 1-page executive summary on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above-mentioned points, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
Decides to retain the Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

38 COM 7A.46 Niokolo-Koba National Park (Senegal) (N 153)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7A.13, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Welcomes the efforts of the State Party to strengthen surveillance and curb poaching, notably the progress achieved in the rehabilitation of the surveillance tracks and guard posts, as well as the strengthening of surveillance staff;
Reiterates its serious concern as regards the state of conservation of the key species in the park, notably the elephant and chimpanzee and requests the State Party to urgently implement an inventory of large wildlife with technical support from the IUCN Species Survival Commission, and to invite an IUCN reactive monitoring mission to assess the state of conservation of the property as concerns the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger and to update the corrective measures once the results of the afore-mentioned inventory are available;
Requests the State Party to continue its efforts to implement the corrective measures adopted at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010);
Further reiterates its request to the State Party to provide detailed information on the dam project at Sambangalou, as well as the restoration of the basalt quarry located within the property and closed in 2012;
Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, a detailed report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
Decides to retain the Niokolo-Koba National Park (Senegal) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

38 COM 7B.1 Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab) (C 850)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7B.Add,
Recalling Decision 36 COM 7B.53, adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
Welcomes progress made with the construction of a sample of the proposed paved road around Qannoubin Monastery; and requests that the project plan for the remainder of the road be submitted for review before work progresses;
Reiterates its request to abandon the associated project of cableways and model villages in the property;
Notes with extreme concern the planning violation near the church of Saint George and the excavation and construction works in the property and its buffer zone, and also notes that remedial measures have been taken to demolish the mausoleum structure and halt construction works; and also requests that details are provided as to how the landscape will be rehabilitated as it was before both works commenced;
Further notes the State Party’s acknowledgment of the negative impacts arising from the lack of adequate management;
Regrets that the State Party has not responded to the main recommendations of the 2012 mission and reiterates its request to implement these, and in particular to:
1. Revise the management system for the property and establish a permanent management structure,
2. Update the 1998 management plan on the basis of the 2007 guidelines, including a conservation plan and a sustainable visitors management plan,
3. Undertake socio-economic studies aiming at improving the living conditions of the communities in and around the property;
Reiterates its encouragement to the State Party to submit a request for International Assistance for the implementation of the recommendations of the 2012 mission;
Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015.

38 COM 7B.2 Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Libya) (C 190)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7B.Add,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7B.53, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Takes note with great concern of the information provided by the State Party in its report on the state of conservation of the property;
Urges the State Party to undertake all possible measures to stop encroachment and destruction of the archaeological areas as soon as possible;
Requests the State Party to submit a detailed map of the current encroachment and destruction at the property, and to accelerate the elaboration of its management plan;
Also requests the State Party to invite a joint UNESCO/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission to the site as soon as possible and to submit to the World Heritage Centre, before the visit of the mission, a precise mapping of the different violations at the site;
Further requests the State Party to pursue its efforts towards the establishment of a dialogue between the responsible national and local authorities and the local community in order to guarantee the long term protection of the site;
Strongly advises the State Party to initiate an action, at national level, with all concerned governmental institutions in view of ensuring the effective conservation of the property, with a focus on legal protection and alternative housing solutions;
Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015.

38 COM 7B.3 Ksar Ait-Ben-Haddou (Morocco) (C 444)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7B.Add,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7B.55, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),
Commends the State Party for the efforts achieved in the management and conservation of the property;
Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre more detailed information on the management system established and the positive impact of the commissioning of the bridge linking the two banks of the Oued El Maleh, so that this may be used as an example of good practice in integrated management of an urban ensemble including an historic area inscribed on the World Heritage List;
Recommends the State Party adopt an approach focused on historic urban landscape as an additional tool in the sustainable management of the property.

38 COM 7B.4 Bahla Fort (Oman) (C 433)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7B,
Recalling Decision 36 COM 7B.57, adopted at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012),
Commends the State Party for the efforts aiming at ensuring the long-term management and conservation of the property, and the launching of the project entitled “Rehabilitating and Refurbishing the Old Souq at Bahla: From Study to Reinstatement”, and of the monitoring of the aging characteristics of the different brick types;
Regrets that neither the finalized version of the management plan nor a request for a minor boundary modification to enlarge the buffer zone have been submitted;
Requests the State Party to submit the finalized version of the management plan, including the legal framework that will support its implementation, to the World Heritage Centre as soon as possible;
Also requests the State Party to submit, by 1 February 2015, a request for a minor boundary modification in view of enlarging the buffer zone, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2015, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the results of the monitoring of the aging characteristics of the different brick types, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016.

38 COM 7B.5 Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region (Sudan) (C 1073)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7B,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7B.56, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Acknowledges the efforts made by the State Party in improving the management of the property;
Regrets that the management plan has not been sufficiently developed and that key components are still missing;
Also regrets that no detailed information has been provided to address the conservation and management issues raised by the 2011 reactive monitoring mission, and reiterates the need to develop appropriate concrete measures as soon as possible as identified in paragraphs 4, 5 and 6 of Decision 35 COM 7B.57 adopted at the 35th session (UNESCO, 2011);
Takes note of the maps of four of the five component parts of the property provided by the State Party but requests that they be reviewed in accordance to standards identified in Annex 11 of the Operational Guidelines (topographical data, clear indication of the property’s boundaries) and to provide such a map for Sanam;
Also requests the State Party to provide detailed information on the state of conservation of the property, including a report for each of the five components, to fully develop the management plan so that it is operational and to develop a comprehensive monitoring system in order to better understand the long-term conservation needs of the property;
Recommends to the State Party to organize as soon as possible, in the framework of the Sudan-Qatar Archaeological Project (QSAP), a workshop to address the management and monitoring system of the property, in cooperation with the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS and ICCROM;
Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2015, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016.

38 COM 7B.6 Archaeological Site of Carthage (Tunisia) (C 37)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7B,
Recalling Decisions 36 COM 7B.59 and 36 COM 8B.47 adopted at its 36th session (Saint Petersburg, 2012),
Commends the State Party for the adoption of the Protection and Enhancement Plan (PPMV) presented for the property;
Encourages the State Party to continue its land management policy in the archaeological area in order to prevent damage to the integrity of the property;
Reiterates its invitation to the State Party to provide further information on the criteria used to define the buffer zone submitted for examination to the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session (Saint-Petersburg, 2012), the regulations and existing measures governing it and which will ensure the protection and integrity of the property, and on the measures taken for its management;
Invites the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre a proposal to modify the boundaries according to the procedure set out in paragraphs 163-165 of the Operational Guidelines, and recommends that this proposal concerns the establishment of a buffer zone, as well as a modification of the boundaries of the inscribed property aiming to align them with the national boundaries as requested by the joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission of 2012;
Reiterates its request to the State Party to implement the recommendations of the 2012 mission, in particular:
1. implementation of the PPMV of the property,
2. development of a Presentation Plan and a Tourism Management Plan,
3. design and implementation of an archaeological and conservation strategy ,
4. coordination of the tools for the management and preservation of the property and the coordination of the roles of the different stakeholders;
Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, a progress report on the application of the above recommendations and, by 1 December 2015, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property (both reports including a one-page executive summary) for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016.

38 COM 7B.7 Old City of Sana’a (Yemen) (C 385)

wh-support@unesco.org — Sun, 15 Jun 2014 00:00:00 EST

The World Heritage Committee,

Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7B,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 7B.58, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Acknowledges the continuing vulnerability of the property as a result of the extreme conditions that have prevailed in Sana’s over the past four years;
Nonetheless welcomes the positive progress that has been possible and in particular the adoption of a new law in August 2013 on the protection of historic sites, monuments, cities and their urban and cultural heritage; the Prime Minister’s Decree for the endorsement of the urgent executive plan for Sana’a; the one year moratorium on new construction within the property and on issuing any new contracts; and notes the submission of an International Assistance Request to develop a Conservation Plan for the property;
Also welcomes the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) for capacity building work with the General Organisation for the Preservation of the Historic Cities of Yemen (GOHPCY); but acknowledges the urgent need of further resources to implement conservation measures and to re-structure the management of the property;
Reiterates its call to the international community to support the State Party, in co-operation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, in any way possible for priority conservation, management measures and capacity building programmes;
Expresses its concern at the apparent lack of engagement of GOPHCY in the major project to rehabilitate the water and sewage system being developed by the Sana’s Secretariat and on the potential negative structural impacts that this project could have on individual buildings and on archaeology;
Requests the State Party, as a matter of urgency to supply full details of this project, including the Heritage Impact Assessment and appropriate risk mitigation measures, to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies before any work commences; and recommends that GOPHCY is fully integrated into the structure of this project;
Also reiterates its request to the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission to evaluate the state of conservation of the property and identify measures needed to reverse the decay and ensure the conservation and protection of the property, as soon as the security situation allows;
Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2015, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016.