Distribution limited CLT-90/CONF.004/13 12 December 1990 Original: French/English UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION CONVENTION CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF THE WORLD CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE Report of the World Heritage Committee Fourteenth Session Banff, Alberta, Canada, 7-12 December 1990 I. INTRODUCTION 1. The fourteenth ordinary session of the World Heritage Committee was held in Banff, Alberta, Canada, from 7-12 December 1990. It was attended by the following Member States: Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, France, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Senegal, Thailand, Tunisia, the United Republic of Tanzania and the United States of America. 2. The following States Parties to the Convention who are not members of the Committee were represented by observers: Burkina Faso, China (People's Republic of), Dominican Republic, Finland, Germany, Holy See, Philippines, Republic of Guinea, Romania, Turkey, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Yugoslavia. 3. Representatives of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and the Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) attended the meeting in an advisory capacity. The complete list of participants appears in the Appendix. II. OPENING SESSION 4. The outgoing Chairman of the Committee, Mr. A. Beschaouch, opened the session by thanking the Canadian authorities for their generous invitation to host in Banff the fourteenth session of the World Heritage Committee and wished the Committee every success in their work. 5. The representative of the Minister of the Environment of Canada, Mr. Robert Wenman, MP for Fraser Valley West, warmly welcomed the members of the Committee to Banff, where in 1885, Canada started the National Parks System. He stated that the *[2] World Heritage Committee was a true symbol of the international community's commitment to preserve its cultural and natural heritage. But more than just a symbol, the Committee had, in its short eighteen years of existence, realized a remarkable list of achievements. He commended the Committee for its decision to protect 322 properties throughout the world. Mr Wenmaan honoured the memory of René Maheu, former Director General of Unesco, a man of vision who believed in the inseparable values of culture and nature. He reminded the participants that Canada had been one of the first signatories of the Convention and reaffirmed his government's commitment to fulfil its duty as a State Party by helping the Committee achieve its objectives. In this connection he mentioned the Government of Canada's assistance in the organization of the International Symposium of World Heritage Cities, to be held in Quebec City in July 1991. He also mentioned Wood Buffalo National Park, reaffirming Canada's commitment to take all possible measures to resolve the problems at this park, where the bison have become diseased. Mr. Wenman informed the Committee that the Government of Canada would be releasing a Green Plan in the days ahead. The Green Plan is aimed at achieving a healthy environment and will be an essentialworking tool for the 1990s. He expressed his desire that the awareness of the preservation of the world's common heritage continue to grow. Achieving this objective would require the joint efforts of Unesco, specialized institutions, governments and the media. He closed by wishing the Committee every success in its work. 6. The representative of the Director-General of Unesco, Ms Anne Raidl, Director of the Division of Physical Heritage, welcomed the Committee on behalf of the Director-General. She warmly thanked the Canadian authorities for their generous invitation to host the session of the Committee at a superb world heritage site. Referring to the agenda of the session, Mrs. Raidl drew attention to the magnitude of the task before the Committee, since it was called upon to contribute more and more actively to the preservation of World Heritage properties. It is a difficult task, but one without which the mere listing of these properties as part of the heritage of humankind would be pointless. The Committee will have to reflect on means of countering the threats posed by the uncontrolled development of tourism, urban growth and the degradation of the environment. Ms Raidl mentioned the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Convention in 1992, and expressed the desire that, by then, the Convention become truly effective through a policy aimed at monitoring the state of conservation of protected monuments and sites implemented by the Committee by means of the World Heritage Fund. III. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA 7. The Committee adopted the agenda that had been proposed to it, deciding to examine, under Other Business, the possibility of authorizing the Bureau to approve the report of the Committee before it is presented to the next General Conference of Unesco. *[3] IV. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON, RAPPORTEUR AND VICE-CHAIRPERSONS 8. Ms Christina S. Cameron (Canada) was elected Chairperson of the Committee by acclamation. Ms. Vlad-Borrelli (Italy) was elected as the Rapporteur, and the following members of the Committee were elected Vice-Chairpersons: Bulgaria, Mexico, Senegal, Thailand and Tunisia. V. REPORT ON ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN SINCE THE THIRTEENTH SESSION 9. Mr Bernd von Droste, Director of the Division of EcologicalSciences, reported on the activities undertaken since the thirteenth session of the Committee, held in Paris from 11- 15 December 1989. 10. He began by informing the Committee that six new States had ratified the Convention during the year: Belize, Fiji, Mongolian People's Republic, Romania, Czechoslovakia and Venezuela. Given the unification of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen and the Yemen Arab Republic on the one hand and of the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany on the other, the Convention now has 115 States Parties. The growing interest of States in the Convention is matched by that of associations, institutions, media and the general public, as can be seen by the many requests for information received by the Secretariat and the many initiatives, such as publications, exhibits, and films, in which the Secretariat has been involved. He added that the promotion of the Convention would benefit considerably from increased co- operation of the States Parties. He urged them to form world heritage associations, which would be very useful in the preparation of the twentieth anniversary of the Convention, in 1992. 11. Mr von Droste raised the issue of the specific threats to certain sites and underscored the need for the Committee to monitor the state of conservation of World Heritage properties, utilizing international assistance available from the World Heritage Fund. He outlined the various activities carried out by the Secretariat in the area of preparatory assistance, emergency assistance, international assistance and training. The latter was becoming increasingly important and diversified, as can be seen by the number of grants awarded and the seminars and courses on heritage preservation that have been given. 12. With respect to the global study, Mr von Droste reported that work on the study of cultural sites had been initiated with the assistance of a working group which met in October 1990. He stated that the work was based primarily on the tentative lists received by the Secretariat, reminding the members that only 53 lists had so far been submitted, i.e. by less than one half of the States Parties to the Convention. He informed the Committee of the progress being made on the preparation of a global tentative list of geological and fossil sites in the world that would be completed by 1991. *[4] 13. He informed the Committee that the Secretariat would make all necessary arrangements for the commemoration of the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention. The Committee will be invited to present its position on the proposals submitted to it, to set up a strategy for the future and to promote widespread awareness of the achievements of the Convention. VI. REPORT OF THE RAPPORTEUR 14. Ms Christina Cameron (Canada), Rapporteur for the thirteenth session of the Committee, presented the results of the fourteenth session of the Bureau, held in Paris from 11 to 14 June 1990. She focused on several of the key issues discussed during this session, in particular the monitoring of the state of conservation of World Heritage cultural and natural properties. All of the cases to which reference was made were outlined in detail in the Bureau's final report (document CC- 90/CONF.003/12), which Ms Cameron urged the Committee members to read carefully. With reference to the global study requested by the Committee at its thirteenth session, Ms Cameron informed the Committee members that a working group had met in Paris on 12 and 13 October 1990 to develop the subsequent phases of this study. The results ofthis meeting would be presented to the Committee under the agenda item dealing with the global study. VII. NOMINATIONS TO THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST AND TO THE LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE IN DANGER 15.The Committee examined nineteen nominations. It decided to inscribe seventeen properties on the World Heritage List and one property on the List of World Heritage in Danger, and to defer the examination of one property. Moreover, after review of the respective proposals, the Committee decided to extend one listed property and to modify the boundaries of two other properties already inscribed on the List. 16. Germany informed the Committee of its decision to withdraw Wörlitz, Quedlinburg, Magdeburg and Dresden from nomination to the World Heritage List. 17. The following nominations were not considered by the Committee because of the Bureau's decision to defer their examination: El Vizcaino (Mexico), Vilnius and Old Nissa (USSR). 18. At the special request of the authorities of the United Kingdom, the Committee considered the nomination of the Lake District. *[5] A - PROPERTIES INSCRIBED ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST Name of Property State Party Criteria having submitted the nomination of the property in accordance with the Convention Palaces and Parks 532 Germany C (i)(ii)(iv) of Potsdam and Berlin The Committee noted with satisfaction that the additional nomination, including the Palaces and Parks of Berlin-Zehlendorf (Glienecke and Pfaueninsel), adds to the coherence of the initial nomination of the Palaces and Gardens of Potsdam- Sanssouci. The Committee pointed out to the German authorities that it would be advisable to include the Sacrow Church and its park in the protected area. Mount Huangshan 547 China N (iii)(iv) C (ii) Delos 530 Greece C(ii)(iii) (iv)(vi) Monasteries of Daphni, Hossios Luckas and Nea Moni of Chios 537 Greece C (i)(iv) Tsingy de Bemaraha 494 Rev Madagascar N(iii)(iv) Strict Nature Reserve The Committee noted with satisfaction that a site management and protection plan had just been developed and that it would be implemented by Unesco with funds in trust provided by Germany. Te Wahipounamu- South West New Zealand 551 New Zealand N(i)(ii)(iii) (iv) The Committee noted that this property would henceforth encompass two properties already inscribed on the World Heritage List: Westland/Mount Cook National Park and Fiordland National Park. Tongariro National Park 421 Rev New Zealand N(ii)(iii) The Committee congratulated the New Zealand authorities for having improved the management and protection of this site, particularly by limiting tourism developments and taking greater account of the cultural values of Tongariro. *[6] La Amistad 552 Panama N(ii)(iv) The Committee asked the Secretariat to invite the Panamanian and Costa Rican authorities to propose the inclusion of this property and the Costa Rican property already inscribed on the List as a single site - Talamanca Range/La Amistad - and to work together on the joint management of this property. Rio Abiseo National Park 548 Peru N(ii)(iii)(iv) The Committee noted that this site also had cultural values and that additional information would be provided by the State Party in this respect. Historic Centre of Leningrad and related groups of monuments 540 USSR C(i)(ii)(iv) (vi) The Committee recommended strongly that the responsible authorities reinforce control over the development of polluting industries and ensure a better balance between industrial areas and listed areas. It also recommended that particular care be exercised as to the possible establishment of new tourism infrastructures, especially hotel facilities. Itchan Kala 543 USSR C(iii)(iv)(v) The Committee recommended that the authorities concerned safeguard a broad buffer zone corresponding to the area of Dichan-Kala and apply very strict urban standards to the north of Itchan Kala, in the area corresponding to the new urban centre of Khiva, where buildings of excessive height have already been constructed. The Committee also recommended that the authorities concerned ensure that the city of Itchan Kala continue to be inhabited by its traditional population. Khizi Pogost 544 USSR C(i)(iv)(v) The Committee recommended that the authorities concerned maintain the present balance between the natural and built environment, since the introduction of new homes or wooden churches south of Kizhi Island alters the historical and visual characteristics of the site. The Committee congratulated the authorities concerned on the recent adoption of a conservation policy that is more in harmony with local traditions and expertise. *[7] Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow 545 USSR C(i)(ii)(iv) (vi) The Committee recommended that the authorities concerned observe the present configuration of the site, particularly the balance between the monuments and non-built areas. Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos 529 Bolivia C(iv)(v) Historic centre of San Gimignano 550 Italy C(i)(iii)(iv) Colonial city of Santo Domingo 526 Dominican Republic C(ii)(iv)(vi) The Committee approved the conclusions of the expert report submitted, enabling it to consider this property, and suggested that the Secretariat and ICOMOS participate with the Dominican authorities in any study concerning the rehabilitation of historic districts. Kiev: Saint Sophia Cathedral and related monastic buildings, Kiev-Pechersk Lavra 527 Ukrainian SSR C(i)(ii)(iii) (iv) The Committee recommended that the authorities concerned respect the environment of these two outstanding monumental ensembles. B EXTENSION OF A PROPERTY ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST In response to the invitation extended by the World Heritage Committee at its twelfth session, the Holy See and Italy, each according to its competence, submitted a joint request for the inclusion of the extra-territorial properties of the Holy See which are located in the historic centre of Rome, extended to the walls of Urban VIII. The properties concerned are as follows: Complesso dei San Giovanni in Laterano (Basilica, Palazzo Apostolico Lateranense, edifici annessi, Scala santa); Complesso di Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica, edifici annessi); Palazzo di San Callisto, in Trastevere; Palazzo della Cancelleria; Palazzo di Propaganda Fide, in Piazza di Spagna; Palazzo Maffei (Palazzo della Pigna); Palazzo del Santo Uffizio; Palazzo dei Convertendi; Palazzo detto dei Propilei; Palazzo Pio; Immobili sul Gianicolo; as well as the inclusion of the Basilica of San Paolo fuori le Mura. On the basis of cultural criteria (i), (ii), (iv) and (vi), the Committee decided to proceed with this extension, with which it was extremely pleased. The extended site will be inscribed as: *[8] "Historic Centre of Rome, 91 bis Italy/Holy See the properties of the Holy (each according to See in that city enjoying its jurisdiction) extra-territorial rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura" As emphasized by the Delegate of the Holy See, the Committee felt that this situation, which was sui generis, would not constitute a precedent. C INCLUSION OF A PROPERTY IN THE LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE IN DANGER Timbuktu 119 Rev Mali The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to the threat of sand encroachment. A programme to safeguard the property has been set up in order to combat the most pressing dangers, including the consolidation of the Djingareiber Mosque and improvement of terrace rainwater drainage systems. D DEFERRED NOMINATION Lake District 422 Rev United Kingdom At the request of the authorities of the United Kingdom, the Committee re-examined the nomination of the Lake District to the World Heritage List as a cultural property, based on a recommendation by ICOMOS that it be so included. The Committee discussed this case in detail and, although many members showed great interest in including this property, no consensus could be reached. The Committee felt that it did not have sufficiently clear criteria to allow it to rule on this type of property. It was recalled that the lack of appropriate criteria for the examination of cultural landscapes had been a concern of the Committee for several years. The Committee therefore asked the Secretariat to develop such a criterion or criteria and to submit this proposal to the Bureau at its fifteenth session. This will enable the Committee to consider adopting this criterion or criteria at its next session and to examine the nomination of this property. E. MODIFICATION OF THE LIMITS OF TWO PROPERTIES ALREADY INSCRIBED ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST Olympic National Park (United States of America) The Committee welcomed the United States' proposal to include the coastal strip in the Olympic National Park, following its recommendation at its Fifth Session in 1981, when the site was inscribed. The Committee approved the new boundaries of this property. Canadian Rocky Mountains Parks (Canada) The Committee welcomed the Canadian proposal to include, in the Rocky Mountains Parks site, Mount Robson, Hamber and Assiniboine Provincial Parks, following its request at its Eighth Session in 1984 *[9] when the site was inscribed. The Committee approved the new boundaries of this property. VIII. MONITORING OF THE STATE OF CONSERVATION OF WORLD HERITAGE CULTURAL PROPERTIES AND RELATED TECHNICAL PROBLEMS 19. The Committee congratulated the Secretariat on the quality of its report on the monitoring of the state of conservation of world heritage cultural properties. It noted the various situations brought to its attention and was particularly pleased to see that the Director Generalof Unesco had informed Egyptian authorities of the concerns expressed by the Bureau at its fourteenth session in June 1990 regarding planned construction work in the pyramid fields from Giza to Dahshur, Egypt. In this connection, the Committee confirmed that it wished to examine, in due time, the master plan being developed for this protected area as a whole. 20. With reference to the archaeological site of Leptis Magna (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya), a member of the Committee noted that flooding of the Wadi Lebda, which sporadically affects the monuments of ancient Leptis, was a known phenomenon. Reports on this phenomenon by Italian specialists, especially the Centro Nazionale per le Ricerche (CNR) in Rome, should be consulted. In this regard, it would be advisable to contact Professor Antonino Di Vita, Director of the Italian School of Athens, a leading specialist on the Leptis site and its problems. 21. The Committee accepted the Secretariat's proposals concerning the continuation of the monitoring system. The mailing of a third series of questionnaires was thus postponed, and the Committee decided that the questionnaires already received would be analyzed. A sample of the worksheets prepared on the basis of the analysis will be submitted to the Bureau at its fifteenth session. The Committee also noted with satisfaction the Secretariat's initiative in starting a programme for the systematic diagnosis of World Heritage cultural sites. Because a UNDP project is already under way in Latin America and the Caribbean, the experiment will be launched in this region. 22. With reference to this same region, a Committee member reported that the UNDP-Unesco Project Coordinator will organize practical training in monitoring in 1991. This is an excellent initiative to be cited as an example, especially for ICCROM, which could plan similar training in the coming years. 23. The Committee carefully examined the document produced by ICOMOS as a contribution to the monitoring of world heritage cultural properties. The Committee focused primarily on the Monastery of the Hieronymites and the Tower of Belém, a world heritage site where the construction of a building had begun in the area protected under the Convention. The Secretariat informed the Committee that, having been alerted by various sources, it had immediately brought this matter to the attention of the Portuguese authorities. Deeply concerned about the situation described, the Committee sent a cable to the Portuguese authorities, expressing its fear that the project in question would cause irreparable damage to the world heritage value of the site and *[10] offering to organize an expert mission to evaluate the impact of the project. 24. Particularly concerned about the proliferation of such projects, the Committee deemed it advisable to include a paragraph on this topic in the Operational Guidelines encouraging States Parties to increase their vigilance. The following wording was thus adopted for inclusion in the Operational Guidelines: "The World Heritage Committee invites the States Parties to the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage to inform the Committee, through the Unesco Secretariat, of their intention to undertake or to authorize in an area protected under the Convention major restorations or new constructions which may affect the World Heritage value of the property. Notice should be given as soon as possible (for instance, before drafting basic documents for specific projects) and before making any decisions that would be difficult to reverse, so that the Committee may assist in seeking appropriate solutions to ensure that the world heritage value of the site is fully preserved." IX. MONITORING OF THE STATE OF CONSERVATION OF WORLD HERITAGE NATURAL PROPERTIES AND RELATED TECHNICAL PROBLEMS 25. IUCN submitted a report to the Committee on the state of conservation of the following World Heritage natural properties. The Committee also considered Document CC90/CONF/4, which summarized the responses, received by the Secretariat, of the States Parties to the recommendations made by the Bureau in its last session. Royal Chitwan National Park (Nepal) The Committee noted with satisfaction that, following the concerns expressed by the Bureau in June 1990 about the possible impact of an irrigation project whereby as much as 75 percent of the waters of the Rapti River would be diverted, the said project was reassessed by the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Nepal and that it would probably be modified significantly to minimize its negative impact on the environment. The Committee requested the Secretariat and IUCN to monitor the progress of this issue until a final decision is reached and to report to the Bureau at its next session. Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park (Central African Republic) The Committee took note of IUCN's concerns about the integrity of this property, which is still threatened by heavy poaching despite an EEC-financed project to restore the park. The Committee also noted that a preliminary report on the implementation of this project should be available within one year and requested the Secretariat and IUCN to continue to monitor the state of conservation of this property. *[11] Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire) The Committee took note of the information supplied by IUCN concerning the Mount Nimba mining project and the fact that this project, according to IUCN, would threaten the intrinsic value and integrity which had justified the inscription of this property on the World Heritage List. The IUCN General Assembly, which had just ended in Australia, adopted a resolution urging the Guinean authorities not to allow this project and to implement a development plan for the region which would insure the protection of the site. The Guinean observer confirmed the Guinean Government's intention to mine iron-ore at this site and noted that the prospect of such mining had always been clearly understood, even at the time this property was inscribed on the World Heritage List. He indicated, however, that the mining area covered only 800 ha and was actually located outside the boundaries of the World Heritage Site, and that its impact on this site would be minimized in accordance with the results of an impact study which would be announced shortly. The Guinean observer also added that the mining operations would provide jobs for the many refugees whose presence on the site now present a threat to its integrity. The Committee requested the Secretariat to ask the Guinean authorities in writing to confirm, by means of appropriate cartographic documentation, that the mining project is indeed located outside the site inscribed on the World Heritage List; the Committee also requested the Bureau to reexamine this issue at its next session, in the light of the said documentation. The Committee also wished to ask the two States Parties which have business interests directly involved in the mining project, namely U.S.A. and France, to examine whether Article 6.3 of the World Heritage Convention might apply to this undertaking. Niokola-Koba National Park (Senegal) The Committee noted with satisfaction that, in response to the concerns expressed by the Bureau, a comparative environmental impact study of the two road project proposals (through and north of the Park) had been conducted with the financial support of the World Heritage Fund. The study had only just been completed and its results were not yet available for submission to the Committee. The Secretariat will transmit the results to the Bureau at its next session. Hierapolis-Pamukkale (Turkey) The Committee noted with satisfaction the information provided by the Turkish observer concerning the problems of management identified by IUCN. The site had now been designated as a special protected area and the preparation of a new management plan would be discussed at a workshop to be held in 1991 and for which financial assistance may be sought from the World Heritage Fund. *[12] Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada) The Committee noted with satisfaction the information provided by the Canadian representative concerning the various threats to this asset which had been identified by IUCN. First, concerning the diseased bison suffering from brucellosis and tuberculosis, the Canadian representative stated that solutions other than the wholesale slaughter of all the herds were being sought in consultation with all the parties concerned, and that the approach now preferred would consist in eliminating only diseased animals and placing the remaining herds under quarantine. Concerning the dam on the Peace River in British Columbia, it is known to be affecting the hydrological system of the Park. Initially there were a number of floodings which resulted in numbers of bison being drowned. In recent years, the periodic floods which were always a feature of the delta area have been less frequent. None of these changes have had any effect on the nesting areas of the whooping cranes in the Park. Finally, the proposed pulp mill developments on the river and their tributaries flowing into the Park would each be the subject of Environmental Assessment and Review. One of these was currently in progress and expected to result in major modifications to the processes to be used in the plant. The real question was the cumulative effect of all of the proposed developments, each of which may be determined to have a negligible deleterious effect but which in sum may be a cause of concern. New Environmental Assessment and Review legislation is presently before Parliament and it is hoped that it will provide a mechanism to deal with such situations. Further monitoring reports will be provided in 1991. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (India) The Committee was concerned to note that the reserve was still occupied by Bodo Tribesmen, and that poaching and illegal removal of vegetation was continuing. The Committee expressed the view that this property met the criteria for inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger and instructed the Secretariat to suggest to the Indian authorities that they consider such an inscription. Keoladeo National Park (India) The Committee noted that the state of conservation of these wetlands, which are also a Ramsar site, had formed the subject of a detailed report prepared under the Ramsar Convention which indicated that the site was threatened by the invasion of Paspalum grass and insufficient water delivery, leading to a decline in the number of migrating Siberian Cranes. Despite a number of corrective measures, the situation remains one of concern and the Committee requested IUCN to continue monitoring the state of conservation of this property. *[13] Galapagos (Ecuador) The Committee noted that this site was facing two separate threats: on the one hand, Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese fishermen last year captured some 40,000 sharks in the waters adjacent to the site; this intensive fishing was halted following protests by international organizations, but the effectiveness of the ban was uncertain; on the other hand, tourist pressure on the park has increased considerably to a level far beyond the park's estimated visitor capacity. The Committee was pleased to note that remedial measures to counter these threats were being considered; the Ecuadorian authorities had indicated, in fact, that the waters surrounding the National Park would be nominated to the World Heritage List in 1991, thereby reinforcing the protection of the adjacent waters. Moreover, a study of the effects of tourism and the means to combat these effects was being conducted with World Heritage Fund support, and the results of this study should be made known in the first half of 1991. The Committee asked the Secretariat and IUCN to continue monitoring the state of conservation of this property. Olympic National Park (U.S.A.) The Committee noted with satisfaction that the USA authorities had proposed the addition of the Pacific coastal strip to the property inscribed in 1981, in accordance with the request made by the Committee. Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park (U.S.A.) The Committee was pleased with the progress noted by IUCN in the state of conservation and in the management of this property. Canadian Rocky Mountains Parks (Canada) The Committee noted with satisfaction that the Canadian authorities had proposed the addition of Mount Robson, Hamber and Assiniboine Provincial Parks to the property originally inscribed in 1984, as requested by the Committee. La Amistad/Talamanca Range (Costa Rica) The Committee noted the need to review the original boundaries of this site in order to exclude those areas not of outstanding universal value and extend the site to include the expanded Talamanca and Chirripo National Parks. The Committee asked the Secretariat to suggest to the Costa Rican authorities that they set the new boundaries of this property in response to IUCN's suggestion. *[14] Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras) The Committee noted that the Honduran authorities had submitted to the Secretariat a nomination of this property to the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Committee was unable to make a decision on this nomination, however, in the absence of any request for international assistance for this property pursuant to article 11.4 of the Convention. The Committee consequently urged the Honduran authorities to prepare and submit such a request as soon as possible. Garamba National Park (Zaire) The Committee was pleased with the significant improvement in the state of conservation of this property, which the Zairian authorities were preparing to ask be taken off the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Committee wished to continue to be kept informed of the state of conservation of this property, which was the focus of a major rehabilitation project supported by a consortium of donors including the World Heritage Fund. Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Zaire) The Committee expressed concern about the proposed construction of a highway along the existing line of a little-used old colonial road that crosses this park. If built, this highway would be the main link between the densely populated regions of the Great Lakes of Central Africa and the navigable part of the Zaire River. The Committee noted the existence of an alternative route to the north of Kahuzi-Biega and asked that a comparative study of the two routes be conducted. The Committee instructed the Secretariat to inform the Zairian authorities and the German development assistance agency (KWF) of this request and to report to the Bureau on this issue at its next session. 26. As the Bureau requested during its last session, the French representative reported on the siltation problems at Mont St. Michel and its Bay. The Committee noted with satisfaction the planned siltation control works, including the demolition of the dike providing access to Mont St. Michel and its present parking facilities and the replacement of this dike with a bridge that will reestablish water circulation. The Committee wished to encourage the French authorities to implement these projects as soon as possible. 27. The representative of Senegal informed the Committee that a bilaterally financed project would be carried out at the Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary to improve the management of this property and enhance the control of water levels. X. PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES 28. The Committee congratulated the Secretariat for the many activities carried out in 1990. They are presented in document CC-90/CONF.004/5, which is focused on the implementation and dissemination of background *[15] material on the Convention, on the production of films and features on World Heritage Sites and on the planning of exhibitions in States Parties and other States. 29. With respect to the distribution of video-cassettes, the Committee noted that non-commercial distribution was insured by Unesco's distribution network, but that commercial distribution posed a number of legal problems that were being studied with the production firms involved. 30. With respect to publications, the Committee noted the efforts of the Secretariat to improve the quality control of the series of books for young people co-published by Unesco and, more generally, of what would be submitted by the Secretariat at the next session of the Bureau in a general publications plan. 31. The need to decentralize promotional activities in the States Parties was once again underscored. In this regard, a number of parties reported on the activities carried out or planned in their countries, such as the implementation of a travelling exhibit on listed sites in Germany, the production of a brochure on listed sites in Turkey, the publication of two books and the creation of a column on world heritage in Bulgarian weeklies. The Committee also noted with satisfaction the publication of an illustrated 250-page brochure in Bulgarian, English and Russian, on cultural properties in Bulgaria. 32.The Committee approved the proposals submitted by the Secretariat for 1991, and was of the view that the essence of these activities should be focused on the preparation of the 20th anniversary in 1992 of the adoption of the World Heritage Convention. XI. PREPARATIONS FOR THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION 33. The Committee noted with satisfaction the proposals submitted by the Secretariat in document CC-90/CONF.004/6 regarding two separate exercises designed to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention: on the one hand, an assessment of the implementation of the Convention and the preparation of a strategy for the future; on the other, promotional events designed to make the Convention better known. 34. The Committee felt that, although these were two separate exercises, there was a great deal to be said for regarding them as complementary so as to make 1992 a year of both celebration and reflection. 35. Regarding the assessment of the implementation of the Convention, the Committee insisted that the exercise be forward- looking and not restricted to dwelling on the past, so that it leads to a strategy for implementing the Convention in the coming decade. This strategy should focus both on the notion of world heritage and its definition, and on ways to better ensure the protection of world heritage properties. *[16] 36. The contribution of States Parties was deemed essential in ensuring the success of this reflection, and the Committee congratulated the Secretariat on having sent all States a circular letter proposing a framework. 37. The Committee accepted the Secretariat's proposal to ask a consultant to prepare a summary in cooperation with ICOMOS, ICCROM and the IUCN, to be submitted to a small group of experts early in 1992. 38. With regard to promotional activities, the Committee accepted the Secretariat's proposals aimed at developing regional and national activities and organizing a series of activities at Unesco Headquarters centering around the theme of world heritage, in close cooperation with States members of Unesco. 39. As for activities outside Headquarters, the Secretariat called on the members of the Committee to mobilize resources for this purpose. The Committee noted with satisfaction several preliminary proposals by its members. 40. Speaking on behalf of ALECSO, the representative of Tunisia informed the Committee that this organization would be prepared to organize a regional information meeting on the occasion of this 20th anniversary. 41. The Committee also stressed the usefulness of directing these activities toward seeking sponsors for the World Heritage Fund, by making greater use of the World Heritage logo. 42. The Committee also recommended that activities be developed for young people, both at Unesco Headquarters and in the various countries. The Committee asked the Secretariat to produce a special series of video-cassettes for the 20th anniversary, consisting of a selection of extracts of films already made, which should be distributed at a low price. 43. The IUCN representative reminded the Committee that the fourth World Congress on National Parks would be held in Venezuela in 1991, with significant emphasis on the role of the World Heritage Convention in protecting natural heritage. 44. The Committee was of the opinion that the next General Conference of Unesco in 1991 should adopt a resolution encouraging States members of the Organization, whether they are parties to the Convention or not, to lend their full cooperation in celebrating this anniversary by implementing activities in their countries. 45. Finally, the representative for the United States informed the Committee of his government's desire to host the extended session of the Committee, scheduled for 1992, and indicated that this invitation would be officially confirmed in 1991. *[17] XII. REQUESTS FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE 46. The Committee examined the document prepared by the Secretariat in this regard and congratulated the Secretariat on its clear presentation of the requests submitted. Considering the Bureau's recommendations, the Committee decided to approve the following requests: A - TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION CULTURAL PROPERTIES 1. Ngorongoro Conservation Area (United Republic of Tanzania) Purchase of a Land Rover and radio US$49,782 equipment for the archaeological and paleontological site of Olduvai. 2. Studenica Monastery (Yugoslavia) Purchase of computer and photographic US$51,000 equipment and equipment for the restoration of murals. With respect to this site, the Committee has noted with satisfaction the assurances provided by the Yugoslavian authorities that there will be no dam construction near the monastery which could jeopardize the outstanding value of this site. 3. Archaeological site of Delphi (Greece) Purchase of a sandblaster and seven US$50,000 dehumidifiers for the restoration of objects from the site which have been placed in the Delphi museum. The Committee examined the possibility of acceding to requests concerning the conservation of objects from archaeological sites, and it asked the Secretariat to draw up a draft decision on this issue for inclusion in the Operational Guidelines, to ensure that the fund allocation limits for objects from archaeological sites protected by the World Heritage Convention are clearly defined. This draft decision is to be presented to the Bureau and Committee at their next sessions. *[18] 4. Timbuktu (Mali) Consolidation of the Djingareiber mosque US$45,138 and improvement of terrace rainwater drainage systems. Removal of sand from the walls and interior court of the Sankoré mosque, and installation of bollards to divert traffic away from the mosque. 5. International Symposium on the US$26,000 "Preservation of Urban Historic Areas in Changing Times" Canada Publication of the proceedings of the symposium. NATURAL PROPERTIES La Amistad National Park (Panama) As part of the described management plan, financing US$50,000 of the construction of three guard posts; purchase of field equipment and materials for environmental education activities; organization of training seminars for park guards. Salonga National Park (Zaire) Reinforcement of park protection through US$60,000 infrastructure construction (ranger posts, jetty) and purchase of an all-terrain vehicle and small- scale equipment. Talamanca Range-La Amistad National Park (Costa Rica) The Committee approved this request under two US$50,000 conditions: that the Costa Rican authorities report on the completion of the previous projects and that the boundaries of this property be revised in accordance with IUCN recommendations. The Committee instructed the Bureau to determine at its next session whether these conditions had been met before deciding whether to award an appropriate amount to Costa Rica. 47. With respect to Banc d'Arguin National Park (Mauritania), the Committee noted that a request for technical cooperation had been submitted to the Secretariat but that this request needed to be reformulated. The Committee encouraged the Mauritanian authorities *[19] to prepare and submit a new request for consideration at its next session. B - TRAINING 1. International Course on Stone US$40,000 Conservation Technology (ICCROM-Unesco) Participation of 12 fellowship recipients from developing countries in the course, which will be held in May and June 1991 in Venice, and financial contribution to the fees and travel expenses of the lecturers. 2. Regional Training Course for the Conservation of Murals (ICCROM) Fees and travel costs of five lecturers and US$40,000 participation of 16 fellowship recipients, who are restorers from South and Sotheast Asia in a course which will be held in Lucknow (India). 3. Training Course in Natural Resources US$30,000 Conservation and in the Management of Protected Areas (France-Cameroon) The Committee approved this request in the amount of US$30,000 (instead of the requested US$36,000) and hoped that this training would be offered to a larger number of African participants. XIII. SITUATION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE FUND AND BUDGET FOR 1991 48. The Committee examined document CC-90/CONF.004/8 presenting the status of contributions to the World Heritage Fund for the years 1981-1983, 1984-1985, 1986-1987, 1988-1989 and 1990-1991, the situation for the 1988-1989 financial period, and the status of implementation of international assistance projects approved in 1989 and 1990. The statement on the use of the budget approved for 1990 and an estimate of the budget for 1991 were also submitted to the Committee. 49. The Committee followed the recommendations of the Bureau and decided to adopt the following budget for 1991 : Preparatory assistance 150,000 Technical co-operation 600,000 Training 500,000 Emergency assistance 100,000 *[20] Promotional activities 250,000 Advisory services IUCN 150,000 ICOMOS 200,000 Global Study (including the study on fossil sites, $20,000) 70,000 Travel for experts of LDCs 20,000 Members of the Committee Temporary assistance to the Secretariat190,000 3% contingency funds 70,000 _____________ TOTAL 2,300,000 XIV. GLOBAL STUDY 50. The report of the Secretariat was presented and the voluntary work of the Bulgarian Delegate (study on the Mediaeval sites in the Balkans) and of the two experts seconded by the Greek Ministry of Culture for one month (three studies made available to the Committee). These three studies, on the Graeco-Hellenistic and correlated cultures, the Roman and correlated cultures and the Byzantine and correlated cultures were based on an examination of sites already listed, those on tentative lists and with the addition of sites proposed by the experts to fill gaps. In the case of Roman culture, a chart had been prepared which set out the nature of the sites, their period and their location. The full content of these three files and other material prepared by the Secretariat was described and was available for consultation by delegations. The Secretariat invited delegations to make known bibliographies which would be helpful in further development of the study. 51. The Committee congratulated the Greek and Bulgarian experts for their in-depth treatment of the areas in question and thanked them for their participation in the study, which was described as being of high quality and, indeed, of elegance. 52. Frameworks for national historic monuments had been developed in the U.S.A. and Canada and one of the delegates offered to make these frameworks and some account of their methodology available to the Secretariat. Another delegate commented on the importance of having a mixed temporal, cultural and thematic approach. It was suggested that the global study should include landscapes. 53. Another delegate, in expressing appreciation of the work done, said that her country would seek to contribute to the study in its future elaboration. The Secretariat explained that it intended to proceed by establishing the framework first with the assistance of experts and it was noted that an amount had been included in the budget from the various regions for this purpose. The possible contribution of expertise by States Parties was warmly welcomed and, where such contribution may not be possible, the Secretariat would in any case *[21] appreciate the names of appropriate experts whom the Secretariat could approach to work on the project. 54. Another delegate emphasized that it was not just a question of providing the framework but that it should be a carefully considered one. Due allowance should be made for the time and cost of such studies which should not be expected to be done in haste without adequate reflection. Furthermore, it is important that experts in the States Parties provide information for the study since there is much available in languages which are not so easily accessible. 55. Another expert suggested reference to a specialist in the Institut de l'Afrique Noire and the Secretariat mentioned that there had already been discussion with Mr. Konare, President of ICOM, a historian and archaeologist, about the project. 56. The Committee thanked the Secretariat for the work done on the project. 57. The Committee also noted that the study of geological sites conducted jointly by the Unesco International Geological Correlation Programme and the International Union of Geological Sciences has resulted in a preliminary global tentative list of geological sites of outstanding universal value. This list was to be revised early in 1991 by a team of experts meeting at Unesco headquarters. The results of the study would then be finalized and made available for the next session of the World Heritage Committee. XV. OTHER BUSINESS Equitable representation of different regions and cultures of the world 58. The Committee considered the document on Equitable Representation (CC-90/CONF.004/INF.4). The Secretariat noted that it had followed this question closely over years and that it was difficult to make any more suggestions since ultimately this was a decision for the Committee. 59. In respect of paragraph 5(iii), the Secretariat emphasized that it could be difficult for States to indicate at the time of their candidature the names of experts who would represent them for the duration of their term of office. Recognizing this problem and the need for the system to remain flexible, the Committee decided to submit to the General Assembly the proposals contained in paragraph 5 with the exception of that relating to the names of experts. Information on Bering Region 60. The representative of the United States of America called the attention of the Committee to the establishment by the Governments of the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics of a Working Group on Heritage Conservation and Management. The Working Group had completed a joint report on the significant shared natural and cultural heritage of the Bering Region, copies of which were provided to the Committee. *[22] 61. The Report was endorsed by the Presidents of the USA and the USSR in June 1990 with a statement calling for continued co- operation towards a US-Soviet International Park. 62. Recalling the IUCN General Assembly Resolutions of 1988 and 1990, encouraging both governments to also consider a joint World Heritage nomination of the area, the representative of the USA and the observer from the USSR confirmed their governments continued interest in a possible joint nomination. 63. The Committee commended both governments for this initiative. Other matters 64. The Committee instructed the Secretariat to prepare its report to the General Conference. This report will be submitted to the Bureau, which is authorized to approve it, at its fifteenth session. 65. The Bureau held a special session during the Committee meeting and met four times to examine nominations which had been referred back to the nominating State for additional information, to examine requests for technical assistance and the budget for 1991. 66. The Secretariat drew the Committee's attention to a decision made at the Committee's thirteenth session, to the effect that "States Parties that are behind in their payments for the biennium considered would not be able to obtain international assistance financed by the Fund, except in unusual circumstances or emergencies." The Committee had asked the Secretariat to amend the Operational Guidelines accordingly. The Secretariat explained to the Committee that it had intentionally not done so, since experience during 1990 had shown that the Committee's decision as it had been worded was too ambiguous to allow clear interpretation and implementation. The Committee admitted that this problem must be resolved as soon as possible, with the understanding that consistent measures must be implemented without penalizing sites endangered by emergencies. The Committee therefore asked the Secretariat to prepare a proposal in this regard, which the Bureau will use as a basis for discussion at its next session. 67. The Committee wished to confirm its 1989 decision to finance attendance at sessions of the Committee and the Bureau by experts from least developed countries (LDCs) who are members of the Committee. The Committee wished to specify that this decision should be very strictly applied and that assuming the costs could be justified only for attendance at sessions of natural and cultural conservation experts. 68. The representative of Canada informed the Committee of the problems that could be posed by the inclusion of an already listed site within a larger site. For instance, such was the case in Canada, with regard to the Burgess Shale site, whose scientific importance was universally recognized. Now part of the Canadian Rocky Mountains Parks World Heritage site, it is no longer identified as the Burgess Shale site on the List. The Committee recalled that this has also arisen with *[23] respect to other properties, the value of which had nonetheless been enhanced by the change. XVI. DATE AND PLACE OF THE NEXT SESSIONS OF THE BUREAU AND THE COMMITTEE 69. The fifteenth session of the Bureau of the Committee will be held in Paris from 17 to 21 June 1991. For this occasion only, the session will last five days rather than four, given the especially full agenda for this session, at which, among other things, the Bureau must examine the issue of adopting new criteria allowing the examination of cultural landscapes for inclusion in the World Heritage List. 70. The Secretariat informed the Committee that the Government of Greece had indicated its intention to invite the Committee to hold its seventeenth session in that country in 1993. In this regard, the Secretariat pointed out to the Committee that Greece's term of office on the World Heritage Committee would end in 1991 and that it was necessary to await the results of the elections at the next General Assembly in the second half of 1991 to know whether Greece's term of office on the Committee would be renewed. Only a State member of the Committee could invite the Committee to hold a session in its country, in accordance with its Rules of Procedure. 71. On behalf of his government, the delegate from Tunisia invited the Committee to hold its fifteenth session in 1991 in Carthage. He noted that, given that the Committee had not held a session in the Arab cultural world since 1979, this was a major opportunity to highlight the universality inherent in the objectives of the Convention. The members of the Committee enthusiastically accepted this generous invitation. The Secretariat stated that it was especially pleased with this invitation since it would at the same time allow a celebration of the success of the international campaign focusing on Carthage. The Secretariat nevertheless pointed out that, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure, this proposal would be submitted to the Director General for approval and that this invitation should not incur any additional expense. The fifteenth session of the Committee could thus be held in Carthage in the second week of December 1991. XVII. CLOSURE OF THE SESSION 72. On behalf of the Committee, the Chairperson, Ms. Cameron, closed the meeting, thanking the Rapporteur and the Secretariat for their efficiency and praising the work accomplished by the staff concerned in Banff National Park and the Ministry of the Environment who had largely contributed, thanks to their kind co-operation, to the success of the Committee's work. She also thanked everyone who took part in this fourteenth session of the Committee, the holding of which in Banff had been a real honour to Canada.