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Policy Compendium

DecisionsYesclose
Themes3.5.7 - Local conditions affecting the fabric close3.5.6 - Physical resource extractionclose3.2.2 - Periodic Reportingclose3.2.1 - Generalclose
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3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Properties
3.2 - Monitoring
Synthesis based on relevant Committee decisions

Synthesis based on relevant Committee decisions

The World Heritage Committee requests States Parties to commit towards the protection of the intangible heritage attributes of the property and to ensure that sufficient attention is given to safeguarding these important attributes, as by developing a monitoring system of intangible heritage elements (based on case law on decisions on State of Conservation).
Theme: 3.2.1 - General
See for examples Decisions:  40 COM 7B.1 42 COM 7B.33 44 COM 7B.20 44 COM 7B.2
3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Properties
3.2 - Monitoring
5. "[The World Heritage Committee] (…) underlines that reinforced monitoring is a constant cooperative process with the State Party concerned, which will always be undertaken in full consultation and with its approval."
Theme: 3.2.1 - General
Decision: 31 COM 5.2
3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Properties
3.2 - Monitoring
54. "[The World Heritage Committee] encourages States Parties to make full use of such Earth Observation technologies for the early detection of activities potentially harmful to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of World Heritage properties, such as deforestation, mining, illegal fisheries, agricultural encroachment, etc. and to better understand trends and respond appropriately."
Theme: 3.2.1 - General
Decision: 42 COM 7
3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Properties
3.2 - Monitoring
9. "[The World Heritage Committee] Invites the Advisory Bodies to engage in effective and constructive dialogue with States Parties in the preparation of Tentative Lists, in the nomination process, including before the publication of recommendations, and post inscription (including monitoring missions), with the aim of achieving more effective credibility, transparency and better implementation of the Convention and Sustainable Development Goals."
Theme: 3.2.1 - General
Decision: 43 COM 5E
3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Properties
3.2 - Monitoring
Synthesis based on relevant Committee decisions

The World Heritage Committee recommends establishing key monitoring indicators to relate more directly to the Outstanding Universal Value to allow for judgment of changes in state of conservation, and adding specific indicators, periodicity and institutional responsibilities (based on Case law on decisions on Nominations).
Theme: 3.2.1 - General
See for examples Decisions:  38 COM 8B.37 39 COM 8B.33 39 COM 8B.25 41 COM 8B.38 41 COM 8B.33 41 COM 8B.31 41 COM 8B.28 41 COM 8B.27 41 COM 8B.26
3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Properties
3.2 - Monitoring
Synthesis based on relevant Committee decisions

The World Heritage Committee encourages States Parties to monitor wildlife and populations, including key species, in order to assess the populations and trends (based on case law on decisions on the State of Conservation).
Theme: 3.2.1 - General
See for examples Decisions:  37 COM 7B.11 38 COM 7B.92 40 COM 7B.70 40 COM 7B.69 41 COM 7A.15
3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Properties
3.5 - Factors affecting properties

18. "[The World Heritage Committee] notes with significant concern that World Heritage properties are increasingly threatened by extractive industries (…), once again urges all States Parties to the Convention and leading industry stakeholders to respect the "No-go" commitment by not permitting extractive activities within World Heritage properties, and by making every effort to ensure that extractives companies located in their territory cause no damage to World Heritage properties, in line with Article 6 of the Convention."

Theme: 3.5.6 - Physical resource extraction
Decision: 37 COM 7 40 COM 7
Threats:  Mining Oil and gas Quarrying Water (extraction)
3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Properties
3.5 - Factors affecting properties
Synthesis based on relevant Committee decisions

The World Heritage Committee requests States Parties not to explore or mine in World Heritage properties, in line with the Committee’s established position that mineral exploration and mining are incompatible with World Heritage status and the international policy statement of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) of not undertaking these activities in World Heritage properties (based on Case law on decisions on the State of Conservation).
Theme: 3.5.6 - Physical resource extraction
See for examples Decisions:  35 COM 7B.22 37 COM 7B.8 40 COM 7B.104 41 COM 7A.19
Threats:  Mining Oil and gas Quarrying Water (extraction)
3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Properties
3.5 - Factors affecting properties
Synthesis based on relevant Committee decisions

The World Heritage Committee reiterates that mining activities and oil and gas exploration and exploitation are incompatible with World Heritage status (based on Case law on decisions on the State of Conservation).
Theme: 3.5.6 - Physical resource extraction
See for examples Decisions:  38 COM 7B.92 38 COM 7B.80 40 COM 7B.85 40 COM 7B.71
Threats:  Mining Oil and gas Quarrying Water (extraction)
3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Properties
3.5 - Factors affecting properties
Synthesis based on relevant Committee decisions

When mining or other type of exploitation is foreseen, the World Heritage Committee requests to get an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, meeting international standards, before any commencement of exploitation at the property and adjacent to the property (based on Case law on decisions on the State of Conservation).
Theme: 3.5.6 - Physical resource extraction
See for examples Decisions:  35 COM 7B.22 36 COM 7B.1 38 COM 7B.92
Threats:  Mining Oil and gas Quarrying Water (extraction)
3 - Policies Regarding CONSERVATION of World Heritage Properties
3.5 - Factors affecting properties
Synthesis based on relevant Committee decisions

The World Heritage Committee requests States Parties to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the conditions as well as an analysis of ways to address the underlying causes of local conditions affecting the fabric, and to elaborate a comprehensive strategy to address the impacts, including priority emergency measures, mitigation measures and an intervention programme (based on Case law on decisions on the State of Conservation).
Theme: 3.5.7 - Local conditions affecting the fabric
See for examples Decisions:  36 COM 7A.34 37 COM 7A.23 37 COM 7B.74 38 COM 7A.1 40 COM 7A.14 40 COM 7A.9 41 COM 7A.32 41 COM 7A.27
Threats:  Dust Micro-organisms Pests Radiation/light Relative humidity Temperature Water (rain/water table) Wind

The World Heritage Policy Compendium was elaborated thanks to the generous contribution of the Government of Australia.

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