December 1993, a working meeting was held at Headquarters on 31 May 1994, with the Delegate of the Syrian Arab Republic to UNESCO and the national authorities in charge of the conservation of the cultural heritage.
A work plan for this site was thus prepared which will be financed through the US$ 19,500 accorded by the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee in 1992. A technological partnership has been set up by UNESCO with the Electricity of France which will provide one or two experts in hydrogeology, and thus make substantial savings. A contract for the use of the balance of the ...
Sites: Ancient City of Damascus
The Bureau was informed that, in accordance with the recommendations of UNESCO's expert mission carried out in December 1993, a working meeting was held at Headquarters on 31 May 1994, with the Delegate of the Syrian Arab Republic to UNESCO and the national authorities in charge of the conservation of the cultural heritage.
The World Heritage Centre was thus informed that the Syrian authorities are currently preparing a global project to safeguard and develop the city of Palmyra, for which a contribution to the national financial efforts will be requested from the Committee at its ...
Sites: Site of Palmyra
The Bureau was informed that the Proceedings of the International Seminar on the Preservation of the Rock Churches of GSreme, which was held at the site from 5 to 11 September 1993 with the support of the World Heritage Fund, are currently under publication at ICCROM, in close collaboration with the Turkish authorities in charge of conservation. The World Heritage Fund provided US$ 10,000 to finance this publication. The Bureau took note of this information.
The Delegate of the United States of America recalled that the Committee at its seventeenth session expressed its concern about plans for the extension of the Taos Airport, as this would pose a potential threat to this World Heritage site.
The Delegate informed the Bureau that the National Park Service has been in close and continuous consultations with Pueblo's Governing Council, attorneys representing the Pueblo interests and with the responsible federal agency, (Federal Aviation Administration), and that it is of the opinion that full consultation and assessment procedures to evaluate ...
Sites: Taos Pueblo
This site which was inscribed in 1986 is threatened by the path of the A303 motorway through the southern part of the site. At the request of the Observer of the United Kingdom, a communication prepared by the concerned authorities was brought to the attention of the Bureau. Two proposals for the organization of the site will be discussed on 8 July 1994 at a meeting organized by The English Heritage and the National Trust, in which the representatives of the Ministry of Transportation and international experts will participate. The first foresees the construction of a tunnel which would ...
18 BUR VII.15
International assistance for training provided under the World Heritage Fund: review, evaluation and strategy - Review and assessment of cultural heritage training activities (1988-1992)
The Bureau approved US$30,000 for the organization of a workshop to be held in 1994-1995 with a selected number of the centre's training partners in the field of the conservation and preservation of the cultural heritage, key individuals and colleagues from UNESCO's Secretariat to provide a sound basis for a fresh strategy.
The Bureau asked the Centre to submit the overall evaluation findings as well as recommendations for a future training strategy to the World Heritage ...
18 BUR VII.9
International Assistance for training provided by the World Heritage Fund: review, evaluation and strategy - Review and assessment of natural heritage training activities (1988-1992)
The Bureau approved US$30,000 for a workshop to be held in 1994-1995 with a selected number of experts, specialists and key individuals, including agreement by the schools, to review the curricula of the courses, management objectives as well as the outcome of the courses.
The Bureau asked that the Centre submit the evaluation findings as well as recommendations by the experts for a future training strategy for natural heritage to the World Heritage ...
18 BUR IX.2.A.1
Requests for International Assistance - Requests approved - Natural Heritage - Training
Training in the Conservation and Management of Natural Heritage in the Arab Region
The Bureau reviewed a request for US$30,000 for a two-week regional training seminar submitted by the Egyptian authorities, to be held in Egypt in April 1995 on conservation and management of natural heritage.
The Bureau approved the requested sum of US$30,000 for the course and asked the Centre to proceed with an agreement on the course programme with the national ...
18 BUR IX.2.B.1
Requests for International Assistance - Requests approved - Cultural heritage - Technical Cooperation
Historic Centre of the Town of Olinda (Brazil) - US$19,000: for a tourist study which would form part of the Urban Development Plan.
Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo Monastery and Monastery of Rila (Bulgaria) - US$21,000: of which US$16,000 will be earmarked for the purchase of equipment and US$5,000 for advisory services on the nature of conservation measure to be undertaken.
Old City of Dubrovnik (Croatia) - US$8,000: for the restoration of mural paintings in the 18th century Baroque Festival Palace, which was severely damaged in 1991. ICCROM will supervise the project in collaboration ...
18 BUR IX.2.B.2
Requests for International Assistance - Requests approved - Cultural heritage - Training
Argentina - US$20,000: for a series of seminars which will be held at different sites in Argentina and on different subject matters:
1) Posadas, 5-8 September 1994: Safeguarding the Jesuit Missions
2) Mar del Plata, 30-31 August 1994: Tourism and cultural heritage.
3) Salta, 5-8 September 1994: Preservation of historic centres.
4) Cordoba, 5-8 September 1994: Interventions in the archaeological heritage.
5) Buenos Aires, 5-8 September 1994: Recycling versus restoration.
6) Trelew-Chubut, 5-8 September 1994: Natural heritage, its relevance in the development process.
Brazil ...
18 BUR IX.2.B.3
Requests for International Assistance - Requests approved - Cultural heritage - Emergency assistance
Archaeological Park of Tierradentro (Colombia) - US$69,500: in accordance with paragraph 85 of the Operational Guidelines which indicate that emergency assistance may be approved "for work in connection with cultural and natural properties included or suitable for inclusion in the World Heritage List and which have suffered severe damage due to sudden, unexpected phenomena" to undertake the following actions as a first phase of an overall conservation plan:
1) Field expert mission (4 Colombians and 2 international experts) to draw up an action plan for the safeguarding of the site.
2) ...
Establishment of an itinerant conservation laboratory which would service the 7 sites inscribed on the World Heritage List (Bulgaria) - US$39,000: The Bureau recommended that this request be re-examined by the Secretariat and ICCROM before being submitted to its next session in December 1994.
Historic Centre of Puebla (Mexico) - US$18,000: to elaborate a rehabilitation plan to secure the safeguarding of the remaining historical buildings in the area, the introduction of new functions and structures compatible with the urban architecture and a maintenance programme to keep the locality in ...
China (Biodiversity Measuring and Monitoring Course): the Bureau reviewed a request for US$19,000 for a biodiversity measuring and monitoring course to be held in Guangdong Province in China in November/December 1994. It felt however that 2 Chinese participants had already been financed from the World Heritage Fund for a similar course in the United States in 1994 and, moreover, that the course did not involve World Heritage site managers, nor was it being held at a World Heritage site. The Bureau therefore, did not approve the ...
At the end of the debate, the Bureau
was informed that the amounts approved for training were slightly superior to the budget allocation for this activity, and
therefore it authorized the Director of the World Heritage Centre to commit the approved funds by transferring the amount required from the technical assistance budgetary line.
II.1 The proposed agenda was adopted unanimously, without modification. (See Annex II).
III.1 Dr Adul Wichiencharoen (Thailand) was elected by acclamation as Chairperson of the Committee. Mr Zhang Chongli (China) was elected Rapporteur, also by acclamation, and the following members of the Committee were elected as Vice-Chairpersons: Colombia, Germany, Italy, Oman and Senegal.
VI.1 In order to facilitate and speed up the work of the Committee, the Chairperson proposed that two work groups be constituted, one on the World Heritage Fund, the 1995 budget and the further development of the World Heritage Centre, and the other group on the revision of Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the Convention. Upon the suggestion of the Delegate of France, it was agreed that each delegation may participate in the work of both groups if it so wishes. The Committee then approved the Delegate of the United States of America, Mr Robert Milne, as Chairperson of the ...
The Bureau was again informed about the continuing illegal and random cultivation at the site, and noted that no official response had been received from the Tanzanian authorities, although the Cultural Commissioner of Tanzania indicated that a response would be sent to the Centre. The Bureau again expressed its concern and asked the Centre to send a letter to the authorities concerning the ongoing cultivation at site, and requesting them to cooperate with the IUCN mission scheduled for October 1994.
Sites: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
VIII.1 This item was discussed first by the Work Group 1, and then by the Committee on the basis of the proposals made by the Work Group. Some of its points were already raised, however, in the presentation by the Director-General's Special Adviser when presenting his recommendations on fund-raising and marketing (summarized in section XV of this report).
VIII.2 Although the shortage of time did not allow a real debate on this item, a number of speakers in Work Group 1 referred to work Document WHC-94/CONF.003/5. The Delegate of Italy reiterated his Delegation's statement, previously ...
18 COM IX.1-19
Monitoring of the State of Conservation of the World Heritage Cultural and Natural Properties
IX.1 The Committee examined the working documents that had been prepared for this agenda item by the Secretariat, the advisory bodies IUCN and ICOMOS, and by the UNDP /UNESCO Regional Project for the Cultural, Urban and Environmental Heritage for Latin America and the Caribbean.
SYSTEMATIC MONITORING AND REPORTING
IX.2 In introducing this item the Secretariat recalled that Article 3 of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention stipulates that one of the essential functions of the World Heritage Committee is to "monitor the state of conservation ...
INTRODUCTION
IX.20 The Committee recalled that the World Heritage Committee at its seventeenth session and the Bureau at its eighteenth session examined reports on the state of conservation of seven natural and six cultural properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger and on seventeen natural and fifty-nine cultural properties on the World Heritage List.
IX.21 The Committee commended the States Parties which had responded to its recommendations or observations and urged the States Parties which had not done this, to do so. In this context, the Committee emphasized that, ...
Srebarna Nature Reserve (Bulgaria)
The Committee was informed that the Secretariat is continuously in contact with the Bulgarian authorities, which presented a report on their restoration efforts at the last session of the Bureau and have recently updated this report.
The Committee confirmed the decision of the Bureau at its eighteenth session that a detailed report on conservation measures should be presented to the nineteenth session of the Bureau in 1995. The Committee decided to retain this site on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Sites: Srebarna Nature Reserve
Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia)
The site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992. Missions to the site were carried out in 1992 and 1993. Given the fact that there had been a recent outbreak in fighting in the Bihac region, the situation remains critical. The Committee decided, therefore, that another fact-finding mission to this area, particularly to the Korkaova Uvala Virgin forest should take place. The Committee decided to retain the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Sites: Plitvice Lakes National Park
Sangay National Park (Ecuador)
The site was inscribed in 1983 and added to the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 due to' threats from poachers, boundary encroachment and unplanned road construction. The situation at the site was discussed between a representative of the President of Ecuador and World Heritage Centre staff and the Committee's continuous concerns were brought to the attention of the Government of Ecuador.
The Committee decided to retain this site on the List of World Heritage in Danger and that another fact-finding mission should be carried ...
Sites: Sangay National Park
Mount Nimba strict Nature Reserve (Guinea/cote d'Ivoire)
The site was included on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 because of a proposed iron-ore mining project and threats due to the arrival of a large number of refugees. An expert mission was undertaken in 1993 and proposals to revise the boundaries of the site were endorsed by the seventeenth session of the Committee in 1993. An international assistance project under the World Heritage Fund was carried out in 1994. The Committee was informed that the French Ministry of Cooperation and the Ministry of the Environment in ...
Manas wildlife Sanctuary (India)
At its eighteenth session, the World Heritage Bureau took note of the response by the Indian Government concerning Manas wildlife Sanctuary which was inscribed on the List of World Heritage In Danger in 1992.
The Committee was informed that the Secretariat received a report on the conditions of the site from WWF-India. The report emphasises the critical situation in the area. Furthermore, the Government of India has indicated its interest in a joint mission to the site by World Heritage Centre staff and local NGOs.
The Committee commended the Indian ...
Sites: Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
Aïr-Tenere Natural Nature Reserves (Niger)
The Committee was informed that the wildlife in this site has been decimated due to the consequences of the conflict between the Resistance Army of the Tuaregs and Government forces. Hence, the Committee was encouraged to note that the warring parties had signed a peace accord on 9 October 1994. The implementation of this accord by the new Government is however an essential prerequisite for the conservation of this site. The Committee requested the Centre to write to the new Government, recalling Niger's international obligations under the ...
Everglades National Park (United States of America)
The site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1993 due to an increasing number of threats since the date of its inscription on the List in 1979. The State and Federal Governments and the Agricultural Industry are providing significant financial support for the management of the site and for its long-term restoration in the order of hundreds of millions of dollars. The American authorities had prepared a report for the eighteenth session of the Committee.
The Committee decided to retain the site on the List of World ...
Sites: Everglades National Park
Virunga National Park (Zaire)
The Committee recalled that at its last session it was deeply concerned about the civil unrest in Zaire which led to donors (EEC and USAID) suspending their support to this site. Many Park staff had not been remunerated for almost a year. Despite the fact the Bureau granted emergency assistance of US$ 20,000 to meet costs of field operations, poaching of wildlife has continued and the capability of staff to patrol the 650 km long boundary of the Park remains far below desirable levels. Human population in the fishing village near Lake Idi Amin has grown ...
Sites: Virunga National Park
Great Barrier Reef National Park (Australia)
The Committee was informed that the Minister of Environment, Australia, has temporarily halted a 1500-bed, resort development project immediately adjacent to the boundary of this site to allow for a study of potential impacts on the World Heritage site. The Committee requested the Centre to write to the Minister of Environment, Australia, expressing support for his efforts to protect this site from the impacts of the proposed large scale tourism development project.
Sites: Great Barrier Reef
Shark Bay (Australia)
The Committee recalled that at the time of inscription of this site it requested IUCN to report back on the progress with respect to (1) implementation of the Commonwealth/State management agreement and (2) efforts to achieve more effective conservation of the site.
As the Government of Australia had assured that the October 1990 agreement was to provide the management framework for this site, the Committee was concerned that most of the provisions of the agreement have not been operationalised. Therefore, the Centre wrote to the Australian authorities requesting ...
Sites: Shark Bay, Western Australia
Mount Athos (Greece)
A report prepared by WWF and Ecumenical Patriachate of Constantinople (EPC) has pointed out that the ecology of this site is being impacted by overgrazing, chemical pollution and forestry activities. In early December the World Heritage Centre received a letter from the Greek authorities outlining the measures which are being implemented to address these concerns. The Committee requested that a field review together with the appropriate Greek authorities be carried out to evaluate these conflicting reports.
Sites: Mount Athos
Willandra Lakes Region (Australia)
The Committee was informed of IUCN's field evaluation report on the state of conservation of this property. It requested the Australian authorities to review the boundaries of the site and to continue their recent progress in improving the management of the site.
Sites: Willandra Lakes Region
Keoladeo National Park (India)
The Committee recalled that this site was inscribed on the World Heritage List because of its importance as a wintering ground for the Siberian crane. At the time of inscription in 1985, there were 41 cranes which wintered in Keoladeo National Park. The Committee was informed that in 1994, no Siberian cranes wintered in Keolodeo; it was thought that due to hunting along their migratory routes in Afghanistan and Pakistan the population which used Keoladeo for wintering appears to have been extirpated. The Committee therefore requested that the Centre write ...
Sites: Keoladeo National Park
Banc d'Arguin National Park (Mauritania)
The Committee recalled that IUCN reported to the Bureau at its eighteenth session on a planned capture operation of six monk seals from the sea population of the park. Subsequently, the Centre was informed by the French Ministry for the Environment that the experiment was carefully planned and coordinated with IUCN's Species survival Commission and that the capture operation and breeding experiment is under the direction of the "Comité scientifique international pour le suivi du programme français de sauvegarde du phoque moine".
The ...
Sites: Banc d'Arguin National Park
Te Wahipounamu (New Zealand)
In July 1994 the Bureau was advised of threats to the integrity of this site arising from cattle grazing in some parts of the Park and the impact of potential logging operations in Maori-owned coastal forests immediately adjacent to the Park. As requested by the Bureau, the New Zealand authorities have submitted a report outlining measures being implemented for mitigating these threats. IUCN has expressed satisfaction with these measures and no further action is required at the present time.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) (Tanzania)
The Committee recalled that at its last session it expressed serious concerns over the Tanzanian Government's new policy to open NCA to agriculture. The Committee was informed that, though Cultivation is continuing to spread, there appears to be some control preventing its random expansion. Nevertheless, the Committee remained concerned that the expansion of agriculture is taking away traditional pastoral lands of Masai who, as a last resort to ensure their own food security, are being forced to clear lands for subsistence agriculture. The ...
Sites: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
Serengeti National Park (Tanzania)
The Committee noted that the state of conservation of this site has not been assessed since its inscription in 1981 and was pleased to note several improvements to the site effected by the Tanzanian National Park Authority (TANAPA); e.g. a management plan has been prepared and is now under implementation; work on a new and creative visitor-education centre is nearing completion; roads and other infrastructure have been upgraded; and long-term wildlife census, research and monitoring projects continue to operate. However, the Committee recognized that ...
Sites: Serengeti National Park
Redwood National Park (United States of America)
The Committee was informed of a proposal of the California Department of Transportation (COT) regarding a road realignment of the US Highway 101 in Del Norte County which will result in the removal of about 200 trees in this World Heritage site. Although COT has prepared an environmental impact statement (EIS), the Committee was informed that the EIS made no mention of the World Heritage status of the area. The Committee therefore requested the Centre to write to the American authorities and suggest that the COT recognize the international ...
Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls (Zambia and Zimbabwe)
The World Heritage Centre was informed by letter of 5 August 1994 from the National Heritage Conservation commission of Zambia that the proposal to build the Batoka Dam was dropped. The Batoka Gorge Hydro Electric Scheme would have had a major environmental impact on the World Heritage site and would have flooded the Batoka Gorge of the Zambezi River, a two million year old unique geological and geomorphological formation.
The Committee commended the Government of Zambia on the decisions taken to ensure the integrity of this World ...
Mana Pools, Sapi and Chewore Reserves (Zimbabwe)
The Committee regretted that with the relocation of the ten remaining rhinos from this Park to an intensive protection zone, this World Heritage site has lost one of its "flagship" species. The Committee urged the Centre that in order to protect populations of similar species in other World Heritage sites, it should expand its cooperation with IUCN's Species survival Commission and the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade on Endangered species (CITES).
Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (Peru)
The Committee was informed on proposed helicopter flights from Cusco to the village of Aguas Calientes, which is only two kilometers from the ruins of Machu Picchu, authorization of which would be subject to the approval of an environmental impact study by the National Institute for Natural Resources (INRENA). IUCN informed that it was finalizing the examination of the impact study and that it will transmit its recommendations to the Secretariat as soon as these are available.
The Committee requested that the Bureau at its forthcoming nineteenth ...
Palace of Abomey (Benin)
The Committee commended the Government of Benin and ICCROM for the activities undertaken since 1992 in training in preventive conservation and for the project for the conservation and enhancement of the Royal Palaces of Abomey which is foreseen for 1994-1996 in collaboration with ICCROM and the Government of Italy. The Committee decided to retain this site on the List of World Heritage in Danger and requested the Secretariat to ensure that a monitoring mission be undertaken to Abomey to evaluate the state of conservation of the eleven palaces that have not yet ...
Sites: Royal Palaces of Abomey
Angkor (Cambodia)
The Committee noted that at its eighteenth session, the Bureau expressed satisfaction with the progress accomplished by the Royal Cambodian Government in response to the requests formulated by the Committee at its sixteenth session, when Angkor was inscribed on the World Heritage List and List of World Heritage in Danger.
At the invitation of UNESCO and at the request of the Chairperson of the Committee, the Minister of State of the Kingdom of Cambodia, H.E. Mr Vann Molyvann, made a presentation to Committee members, highlighting the main tasks undertaken by the Royal ...
Sites: Angkor
Dubrovnik (Croatia)
The Committee was informed that the restoration of what is called the fifth facade of the city -the roofs- was almost completed and that there remained but a few insulae awaiting repairs, and that important progress had been made in the restoration of several of the most important monuments of the city.
The Committee commended the Government of Croatia and UNESCO on the progress made in the conservation and restoration of Dubrovnik. It noted, however, that after the priority needs had been taken care of, other works such as the restoration of nine destroyed palaces ...
Sites: Old City of Dubrovnik
Timbuktu (Mali)
The Committee was informed that the Government of Mali had fully endorsed the recommendations of a UNESCO mission that was undertaken in early 1994 and which recommended a method of intervention involving the local population which, since the construction of the mosques, had been responsible for their upkeep, thus perpetuating a living religious cultural tradition. The Committee also endorsed this proposal and decided that it would support its implementation, if and when requested by the State Party. The Committee decided to retain the site on the List of World Heritage ...
Sites: Timbuktu
Bahla Fort (Oman)
The Committee recalled that it was informed during its seventeenth session, that intensive restoration works were being undertaken at this site and that it appeared probable that the nature of the material used for the restoration work, the rapidity with which the work was being carried out and the methods used could raise a certain number of questions with regard to conserving the authenticity of the monument. The Committee was informed that the Director of the World Heritage Centre, at the invitation of the Government of Oman, undertook a mission to Oman in March 1994 ...
Sites: Bahla Fort
Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru)
The Committee welcomed the initiative of the Government of Peru to organise in October 1995, in collaboration with ICCROM and CRATerre, a regional course on the conservation of adobe, parallel to which the participants and international experts would also evaluate the past conservation practices and experiences in Chan Chan and define new conservation policies for this site. The Committee requested the authorities to submit the results of the course and the assessment of the conservation policies and practices to the Secretariat so that ...
Wieliczka Salt Mine (Poland)
The Committee took note of the long-term conservation strategy that had been developed for this site, which included a project for ventilation and dehumidification. The Committee encouraged the Polish authorities to implement this long-term conservation strategy and requested to be kept informed of its implementation. It decided that this site be retained on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Kasbah of Algiers (Algeria)
The Observer of Algeria presented the annual report for 1994 entitled "The Results of the Interventions for the Safeguard of the Kasbah of Algiers" which was addressed to UNESCO in conformity with the request of the Committee at the time of the site's inception. She announced that a request for international assistance in order to ensure the training of architects for the safeguard of the site will shortly be addressed to the World Heritage Centre.
Sites: Kasbah of Algiers
Serra da Capivara (Brazil)
The UNDP/UNESCO Regional Project presented a report on this complex site that contains 380 sites of historical interest and where the greatest threats come from fire and poaching. Tourism, although in the increase, had not had a negative impact on the site yet. A zoning plan was being introduced which defined the degree of access to five different types of area with various levels of access.
The monitoring mission recommended that:
- the zoning plan should be extended so as to cover the whole area of the park and that buffer zones be established to limit the ...
Memphis and its Necropolis - the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur (Egypt)
The Committee studied the report of the Secretariat and the information communicated by the Supreme Council of Antiquities on the situation at the World Heritage site of Memphis and its Necropolis - the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur concerning the following:
a) the ongoing construction of a highway cutting in two the site of the World Heritage site at Zawyat al-Eryan, at about 2 kms south of the Sphynx;
b) the ongoing construction of about 3,000 lodgings in the buffer zone at Kafr el Gabal and of houses ...
Medieval city of Rhodes (Greece)
The Committee requested the Greek authorities for precise information on the legal protection of the Medieval city as well as to define a legal framework for the main principles guiding the restoration of the buildings of the Medieval City of Rhodes.
Sites: Medieval City of Rhodes
Quirigua (Guatemala)
The Committee took note of a report presented by the UNDP/UNESCO Project which stated that the state of conservation of the site is very good, but that it had been demonstrated that the architecture and sculptures are subject to continuous, low-level erosion. In the mid-eighties thatch-roofed huts were built over the site's sculptures to protect them from rainfall. These do not, however, protect the sculptures from wind-blown rainfall. Furthermore, it was noted that the storage areas for excavated objects do not meet minimal conservation standards.
It was ...
Florence (Italy)
The Committee recalled that the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee at its seventeenth session in 1993 was informed of the severe damage caused by a car-bomb in the historical centre of Florence in May 1993. The Delegate of Italy informed the Committee of the actions the Government of Italy had taken after the bombing. He confirmed that the restoration works would be entirely concluded by mid-1995. An analysis of the damages to the historical structures and the art objects had provided important information on the effectiveness of certain protection measures and new ...
Sites: Historic Centre of Florence
Petra (Jordan)
The Committee was informed of the findings of the UNESCO mission which took place in April 1994, concerning:
- impact of new hotels under construction in the vicinity of the World Heritage site of Petra- insufficiency or non-existence of sewage disposal facilities- uncontrolled development of villages in the vicinity of the site- proliferation of shops- insufficient conservation of antiquities, and- other encroachments upon the integrity of the site.
It was informed that the report has already been submitted to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee during its ...
Sites: Petra
Megalithic Temples (Malta)
The Committee was informed by the Secretariat on the state of conservation of the Megalithic Temples of Malta and the very serious problems concerning the insufficient surveillance, particularly in Mnajdra, Hagar Qim, Ta'Hagrat and Skorba; the collapse of one of the walls of the Temple of Mnajdra as a result of the 1994 April storms; the exploitation of vast stone quarries in the immediate vicinity of the monument and the serious dangers which this activity imposes permanently upon the conservation of the Temple and its environment, the very serious risks of ...
Sites: Megalithic Temples of Malta
Hal Saflieni Hypogeum (Malta)
The Committee was informed by the Secretariat that the Hypogeum of Hal Saflieni has now been closed for three years and the air-conditioning works, partly financed by the World Heritage Fund, which should have begun two years ago, have not yet started. This situation is caused by the permanent trickling of water inside the monument as a result of the decayed sewage and water supply pipes layed under the streets adjoining the site. This constant dripping of water encourages the proliferation of microorganisms and of calcium carbonate deposits on the walls ...
Sites: Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
City of Valetta (Malta)
The Committee was informed that in the framework of UNDP's Action Plan for the Mediterranean, the Programme Coordinator for "100 Historical sites of the Mediterranean" carried out a mission to Malta at the request of the World Heritage Centre. The Committee took note of the report and endorsed the mission's recommendations that, faced with the accelerated degradation affecting the historical buildings of Valetta, the authorities of Malta should take appropriate urgent measures so that:
the team of the Valetta Rehabilitation Project acquires legal recognition ...
Sites: City of Valletta
Puebla (Mexico)
The Committee recalled that a rehabilitation plan for a part of the World Heritage site of Puebla, the Rio de San Francisco area, was briefly discussed at its seventeenth session and that more detailed information was provided at the eighteenth session of the Bureau on the basis of a report from the Mexican National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) and the report of a UNESCO expert in urban rehabilitation and conservation who visited Puebla in June 1994.
The Committee was informed that following the eighteenth session of the Bureau and on the request of the ...
Sites: Historic Centre of Puebla
Island of Mozambique (Mozambique)
The Committee took note of a report presented by the UNDP/UNESCO Project on the state of conservation of the Island of Mozambique. It was reported that the stone city on the island was in a precarious state of conservation, a situation that was heavily aggravated by the cyclone Nadia which occurred in March 1994. The predominantly privately owned houses in the macuti city were better maintained.
With the process of pacification and the possibilities of a sound economic development of the region, the monitoring mission recommended that:
the ...
Sites: Island of Mozambique
Kathmandu Valley (Nepal)
The Secretariat recalled the concern raised over the state of conservation of the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage site and the debate during the seventeenth session of the Committee in December 1993 and the Bureau at its eighteenth session in July 1994 on the possible inscription of the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger and the delisting of certain parts of the site damaged by uncontrolled development. The 16-point recommendation of the UNESCO/ICOMOS Review Mission of November 1993 and the pledge made by' the Representative of His Majesty's Government ...
Sites: Kathmandu Valley
Historical Centre of Lima (Peru)
The Committee took note of a report presented by the UNDP/UNESCO Project in which it was stated that the overall infrastructure presents a notorious state of degradation, although the monuments and landmarks, e.g. the Convent of San Francisco, are well maintained.
The monitoring mission recommended that:
- an integrated programme of rehabilitation and conservation for the historical centre should be set up, in which projects should be included for the re-adaptive use of historical structures, housing and infrastructure;
- the technical assistance that ...
Sites: Historic Centre of Lima
Rio Abiseo (Peru)
The UNDP/UNESCO Project reported that the most serious threats to this mixed site are large-scale deforestation in the western zone of the park and traditional burning of fields for grazing in the higher areas. A limited number of park guards control the park in the south from outside the area. There is no regular vigilance and inspection and valuable archaeological objects are deteriorating and disappearing.
The monitoring mission recommended the following:
a coherent development plan for the Park, aiming at conserving both its natural and cultural resources, ...
Sites: Río Abiseo National Park
Kremlin and Red Square (Russian Federation)
The Committee was informed that the Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Russian Federation to UNESCO informed the Director-General of UNESCO of a project concerning the possible erection of a monument in honour of Marshal G. Zoukhov on the Red Square. The Director-General, in a letter to the mayor of Moscow dated 2 December 1994, underlined that the responsibility for protecting a cultural property lies with the state Party concerned, which should conserve it and avoid taking any measures that would damage it. The Director-General ...
Kizhi Pogost (Russian Federation)
It was recalled that since 1991 ICOMOS had presented to the Committee and the Bureau reports on its involvement in the monitoring of this site and on the efforts to conserve and restore its monuments. ICOMOS reported that the legal protection of the monument and the buffer zone had been considerably improved and that a conservation professional had been assigned. The workplan for 1994 had been completed and included:
the installation of a system of lightning protection as part of a major reworking of fire protection and security at the site;
studies ...
Sites: Kizhi Pogost
Burgos Cathedral (Spain)
The Committee recalled that the Bureau at its eighteenth session congratulated the various Spanish organizations involved in the actions taken for the conservation of Burgos Cathedral and that it, at the same time, expressed a desire to see those components of the total project which were still under negotiation put into effect with the minimum delay.
The Committee noted that in August 1994, a statue fell off the fa9ade of the cathedral and requested ICOMOS to continue to monitor the state of conservation of the cathedral and to report its findings to the ...
Sites: Burgos Cathedral
Historic Areas of Istanbul (Turkey)
The Committee was informed that problems with the project's financing had caused some delays in the restoration of the mosaics and that UNESCO's experts present on the site had expressed their regret to the authorities responsible for the work that, in spite of their recommendations, the metallic covering of the Haghia Sophia was executed with a material which was too thin and therefore fragile.
Furthermore, it was informed that, according to the UNESCO experts on site, reconstruction of long portions of the Roman and Byzantine walls was being ...
Sites: Historic Areas of Istanbul
Xanthos-Letoon (Turkey)
In the framework of the UNEP Mediterranean Action Plan, the Coordinator of the Programme "100 Historical sites of the Mediterranean" carried out a mission to Turkey at the request of the World Heritage Centre.
Having taken note of the extensive and detailed report, which the Committee requested to be made available to the Turkish authorities, the Committee recommended the Turkish authorities:
to transmit to the World Heritage Centre the Protection Plan for the Development of the Patra/Xanthos/Letoon site, which should have been ready in 1992;
to implement the ...
Sites: Xanthos-Letoon
Pueblo de Taos (United States of America)
The Committee was informed by the Delegate of the United States on the actions taken by the Taos Pueblo and the US National Park Service to ensure the conservation and the integrity of the site and that an. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be undertaken by the Federal Aviation Administration. The Committee reiterated its concerns about the airport extension plans and invited the authorities of the United States of America to pay particular attention to the World Heritage values and living traditions of Pueblo de Taos when preparing the ...
Sites: Taos Pueblo
The Complex of Hue Monuments (Vietnam)
The Observer of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam informed the committee of the various measures undertaken in order to conserve and enhance the site since its inscription on the World Heritage List in 1993, and expressed the gratitude of the Government of Vietnam to UNESCO for its constant assistance.
He assured the Committee of the vigilance of the national and local authorities of Vietnam for the preservation of the integrity of the site and gave detailed assurance that no new road would be constructed in the vicinity of the site along the River ...
Sites: Complex of Hué Monuments
IX.23 Following the examination of the state of conservation reports, the Committee adopted the following proposals for the monitoring and reporting on the state of conservation of individual World Heritage properties in 1995 and invited the Secretariat to ensure their implementation:
The highest priority will be given to the monitoring of and reporting on sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
The Secretariat will again report to the Bureau at its nineteenth session in 1995 on the state of conservation of all sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger with an assessment of ...
18 COM X.10
Progress Report on the Preparation of a Global Strategy for a Representative World Heritage List
X.1 At its seventeenth session in Cartagena, the Committee requested the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS to continue their efforts in preparing a conceptual framework for "a global study", in order to advance in defining a concept and a methodology which could be widely accepted by the scientific community.
X.2 Consequently, the Centre and ICOMOS organized jointly at UNESCO, from 20 to 22 June 1994, a first meeting of experts representing different regions of the world and different disciplines concerned (specialists in cultural heritage, anthropologists, art and architecture ...
XX.1 The Committee adopted the Report with a number of amendments, most of them submitted in written form by the Delegates and Observers, which have been taken into consideration when preparing the final version of the Report.
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh/Naracoorte)
698
Australia
N (i) (ii)
The Bureau had recommended the inscription of the site as Riversleigh/Naracoorte Fossil site, excluding the site of Murgon until its significance can be more convincingly demonstrated. The Committee noted that Riversleigh provides outstanding examples of middle to late Tertiary mammal assemblages and one of the world's richest Oligo-Miocene mammal records in a continent whose mammalian history has been most isolated and distinctive, whereas Naracoorte preserves an outstanding variety of terrestrial ...
Arabian Oryx Sanctuary
654
Oman
N(iv)
The Committee recalled that the nomination of Arabian Oryx sanctuary (then referred to as Jiddat-al-Harasis) was originally submitted in August 1992 and deferred for clarification of the legal structures, boundaries and management plan. It noted that the area was renowned for the success of the re-introduction of the White Oryx Project and acknowledged that the Royal Decree No. 4/94 of January 1994 concerning the legal responsibilities for the management of the area was a partial response to an earlier request of the Bureau for further ...
Donana National Park
685
Spain
N(ii) (iii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed this site as an exceptional example of a large Mediterranean wetland with diverse habitats such as marshes, forests, pristine beaches, dunes and lagoons, which supports high faunal diversity, particularly large numbers of migratory birds of the palearctic region.
The Committee complemented the Spanish authorities on measures taken to improve protection of the site during the past two years and their efforts to maintain the integrity of the site. The Committee, however, alerted the Spanish authorities to ...
Sites: Doñana National Park
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
682
Uganda
N(iii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed this site which has one of the richest faunal communities in East Africa, including almost half the population of the world's mountain gorillas, and one of Africa's most important forests for butterflies and bird diversity. The Committee commended the Government of Uganda as well as the international donors for their efforts in generating resources necessary for the establishment of an effective management ...
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
684
Uganda
N(iii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed this site, also known as "Mountains of the Moon", for its aesthetic and scenic values and for its significance as the habitat for an exceptional variety of species, spanning the extraordinary altitudal range of the Park.
Ha Long Bay
672
Vietnam
N(iii)
The Committee recalled that the Bureau at its last session referred the consideration of this nomination pending the establishment of a legal framework, a revision of the boundaries of the proposed site and the initiation of a management programme. The Committee was satisfied to note that the Vietnamese authorities have revised the boundaries to nominate a smaller site which met natural heritage criterion (iii), introduced a reasonably satisfactory legislation and provided a boat and appointed a minimum number of staff to patrol the area.
The Committee ...
Canaima National Park
701
Venezuela
N(i) (ii) (iii)(iv)
The Committee recalled that the Bureau at its last session held in June 1994, had requested the Venezuelan authorities to revise the boundaries of the nominated area in accordance with the recommendations of IUCN, i.e. to exclude the savannah area which did not meet World Heritage criteria. The Committee was informed that, although there was no formal written response from the Venezuelan Park authorities with respect to the Bureau's recommendation, a senior staff member had verbally indicated that it would be difficult to ...
Sites: Canaima National Park
18 COM XI
Extension and Change of Name: Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves - Extension of the Australian East Coast Temperate & Subtropical Rainforest Park (Australia)
Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves (Australia) (extension of the Australian East Coast Temperate & Subtropical Rainforest Park)
368bis
Australia
N(i) (ii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed the extension proposed to this site by the Australian authorities, noting that the extension increased the size of the World Heritage site by 35%. The committee commended the Australian Government for acting on the recommendation of the Committee made in 1986 and agreeing to adopt the name "Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves (Australia)" for the enlarged property. The Committee requested the ...
18 COM XI
Extension: Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Wilderness Park (extension of the Glacier Bay/Wrangell/St. Elias/Kluane site) (Canada/USA)
Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Wilderness Park (extension of the Glacier Bay/Wrangell/St. Elias/Kluane site)
72bis/rev.
Canada/USA
N(ii) (iii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed this site as an extension to the Glacier Bay/Wrangell/St. Elias/Kluane World Heritage site.
The Committee commended the Government of British Columbia/Canada on the action taken to protect the area and it complimented the government agencies involved in moving towards the establishment of an International Advisory Council. The Committee noted that the World Heritage designation of this area does not prejudice the ...
Murchison Falls National Park
683
Uganda
The Committee recognized Murchison Falls as an important natural phenomena and as a habitat of elephants, giraffes and Nile crocodile, though populations of these species have been seriously reduced due to civil disturbances of the past decade. However, the Committee decided not to inscribe this site on the List because it considered its international significance to be secondary in comparison to similar sites in the region. The Committee, nevertheless, commended and encouraged the Government of Uganda and the GTZ for their efforts to restore ...
18 COM XI
Deferred Extension: Galapagos Marine Reserve (extension of the Galapagos Islands) (Ecuador)
Galapagos Marine Reserve (extension of the Galapagos Islands)
1bis
Ecuador
The Committee recognized that the Marine Reserve met natural heritage criteria. However, in accordance with the recommendation of IUCN and the wish of the Observer of Ecuador, it deferred the inclusion of the Galapagos Marine Reserve as an extension of World Heritage site of Galapagos. The Committee commended the Ecuadorean authorities for their efforts to enlarge the World Heritage property to include marine habitats extending to 15 nautical miles from the islands. It also noted the proposal of the Ecuadorean ...
Sites: Galápagos Islands
Virunga National Park
Zaire
During its examination of monitoring reports, the Committee noted the serious threats to Virunga National Park arising from the Rwandan refugee immigration. Accordingly, the Committee agreed to place Virunga National Park on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Sites: Virunga National Park
18 COM XI
Inscription: Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (renomination of Uluru National Park under cultural criteria) (Australia)
Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (renomination of Uluru National Park under cultural criteria)
447Rev
Australia
N(ii) (iii) C(v) (vi)
18 COM XI
Inscription: The Temple of Confucius, the Cemetery of Confucius, and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu (China)
The Temple of Confucius, the Cemetery of Confucius, and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu
704
China
C (i) (iv) (vi)
The ancient building complex in the Wudang Mountains
705
China
C(i)(ii)(vi)
The Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde
703
China
C(ii)(iv)
The Potala Palace, Lhasa
707
China
C(i) (iv) (vi)
ICOMOS commended the quality of the conservation and restoration works undertaken at the Palace by the Chinese authorities in charge of its conservation.
The Committee in approving the inscription of this site on the World Heritage List requested the Chinese authorities to envisage the possibility in the future of extending the site to include the historic village of Shol, the Temple of Jokhang as well as the Chakpori Hill. The Delegate of China assured the Committee that the authorities will certainly take into account the ...
The Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk at Zelena Hora
690
Czech Republic
C(iv)
Jelling Mounds, Runic Stones and Church
697
Denmark
C(iii)
Petäjävesi Old Church
584
Finland
C(iv)
Sites: Petäjävesi Old Church
The Collegiate Church, Castle and Old Town of Quedlinburg
535rev
Germany
C (iv)
In inscribing the town on the World Heritage List, the Committee commended the German authorities on the conservation programme undertaken over the last years and encouraged them to continue with its implementation.
The City-Museum Reserve of Mtskheta
708
Georgia
C(iii) (iv)
The Committee, in inscribing this property on the World Heritage List, suggested to the State Party to change the name to "Historic Churches of Mtskheta".
Bagrati Cathedral and Gelati Monastery
710
Georgia
C (iv)
The Committee inscribed this property on the World Heritage List and requested the ICOMOS mission evaluation report to be transmitted to the State Party.
Sites: Gelati Monastery
Völklingen Ironworks
687
Germany
C(ii) (iv)
Sites: Völklingen Ironworks
Vicenza, City of Palladio
712
Italy
C(i) (ii)
The Committee requested the very detailed ICOMOS/ICCROM evaluation report to be submitted to the Italian authorities. With the consent of the Delegate of Italy, the Committee decided to inscribe this city under the following name: "Vicenza, City of Palladio".
Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)
688
Japan
C(ii)(iv)
Vilnius Historic Centre
541
Lithuania
C (ii) (iv)
Sites: Vilnius Historic Centre
The City of Luxemburg: its old quarters and fortifications
699
Luxemburg
C(iv)
The earliest 16th Century Monasteries on the slopes of Popocatepetl
702
Mexico
C(ii) (iv)
The Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana
700
Peru
C(i) (iii) (iv)
The Church of the Ascension, Kolomenskoye
634rev.
Russian Federation
C(ii)
Skogskyrkogården
558Rev.
Sweden
C(ii) (iv)
The Committee, in debating the universal value of this property, concluded that the merits of Skogskyrkogården lay in its qualities as an early-20th century landscape and architectural design adapted to a cemetery. The Committee in inscribing this site stressed the importance of explaining to the public the criteria for which it was accepted as a World Heritage cultural property.
Sites: Skogskyrkogården
City of Safranbolu
614
Turkey
C (ii) (iv) (v)
Sites: City of Safranbolu
Old City of Dubrovnik (extension)
95
Croatia
C (i) (iii) (iv)
Sites: Old City of Dubrovnik
18 COM XI
Extension and Change of Name: The Historic Centre of Cordoba (extension of the Mosque of Cordoba) (Spain)
The Historic Centre of Cordoba (extension of the Mosque of Cordoba)
313bis
Spain
C(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
The Committee approved the extension of the existing World Heritage site of the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba to include its surroundings and endorsed the suggestion made by the Delegate of Spain to adopt the name "The Historic Centre of Cordoba".
Sites: Historic Centre of Cordoba
18 COM XI
Extension and Change of Name: Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzin, Granada (extension of the Alhambra and the Generalife, Granada, to include the Albayzin quarter) (Spain)
Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzin, Granada (extension of the Alhambra and the Generalife, Granada, to include the Albayzin quarter)
314bis
Spain
C(i) (iii) (iv)
The Committee a,pproved the proposed extension and endorsed the suggestion made by the Delegate of Spain to adopt the following name: "Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzin, Granada".
18 COM XI
Not Inscribed: The Monastery Church of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary at Kladruby (Czech Republic)
The Monastery Church of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary at Kladruby
691
Czech Republic
18 COM XI
Not Inscribed: The Cathedral of St. Elizabeth, the Chapel of St. Michael and Urban's Tower, Kosice (Slovak Republic)
The Cathedral of St. Elizabeth, the Chapel of St. Michael and Urban's Tower, Kosice
681
Slovak Republic
18 COM XI.1-4
Information on Tentative Lists and Examination of Nominations to the World Heritage List and the World Heritage List in Danger: Overview
XI.1 The Secretariat informed the Committee that all cultural properties nominated for inscription were included in the tentative lists of the respective countries. The Committee took note of information document WHC-94/CONF.003/INF.7 in respect to tentative lists.
NATURAL HERITAGE
XI.2 The Committee inscribed eight properties on the World Heritage List, including two sites referred or deferred by the Committee in previous years. The Committee also approved extensions of two World Heritage sites and deferred one proposal for extension of a property. The Committee did not inscribe one ...
Sites: Historic Centre of Bukhara
Los Katios National Park
711
Colombia
N(ii) (iv)
The Committee inscribed this site, which adjoins Darien World Heritage site in Panama, and represents a rich biota comprising elements of both the North and the South America and is a centre of endemism for flora and fauna. The Committee commended both the Colombian and the Panamanian Governments for the bilateral cooperative management agreement and recommended that the two States Parties consider the inscription of the transfrontier site as a single entry on the ...
Sites: Los Katíos National Park
The Rock Carvings in Tanum
557rev.
Sweden
C(i)(iii) (iv)
Sites: Rock Carvings in Tanum
XII.4 The Committee noted that the Bureau, at its eighteenth session on 9-10 December 1994, considered eight requests for amounts not exceeding US$ 30,000 and approved the following seven:
17th International Training Course for Protected Area Managers of Latin America, CATIE, Costa Rica US$30,000
Regional Training Course for Protected Area Managers of Arab States, ...
The Committee took note that the Bureau, at its eighteenth session held on 9-10 December 1994:
approved a sum of US$ 19,000 for Srebarna Nature Reserve (Bulgaria) for the purchase and installation of equipment for the measurement and monitoring of water-levels and water quality in the Srebarna Wetlands; and
requested the Tanzanian authorities to reformulate their request for US$ 30,000 for developing a system of trails in the Kilimanjaro National Park (Tanzania), taking into consideration more urgent conservation priorities for the management of the Park which have been set by the new ...
The Committee approved the following requests for natural heritage sites of Indonesia:
Ujung Kulon National Park US$40,000Buffer zone development activities benefitting local people with agreement from the local people for cessation of resource extraction in the Park.
Komodo National Park US$40,000Purchase of a boat and a GIS-GPS system. The cost of the GIS-GPS system is ...
The Committee noted that the Bureau in examining the ten technical cooperation requests for cultural properties, two submitted by ICCROM and eight by States Parties, gave priority to activities for properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger and to those having a catalytic affect rather than for the funding of specific restoration works, in accordance with previous decisions taken by the Committee.
Reauests approved by the Bureau:
The Historic Town of Ouro Preto (Brazil) - US$20,000 The Bureau approved US$20,000 out of the total amount of US$50,000, subject to obtaining ...
XII.6 The Committee noted that the Bureau at its eighteenth session in December 1994, examined eleven requests for training activities related to cultural properties of which five were submitted by ICCROM and six by State Parties to the total amount exceeding US$ one million. The Bureau reported to the Committee that in view of budgetary constraints it gave priority to requests submitted by developing countries for activities benefiting site managers of World Heritage cultural properties. Funding of courses held in situ which take into account local training needs were given priority ...
Sites: Royal Palaces of Abomey
18 COM XIII.1-6
Examination of the World Heritage Fund, and Approval of the Budget for 1995 and Presentation of a Provisional Budget for 1996
XIII.1 The Committee approved the report of the Working Group on the World Heritage Fund, budget and development of the Centre. Revisions to the budget format were prepared and, following considerable discussions, a budget of US$ 2,935,000 was approved for 1995, and an indicative budget of US$ 2,885,000 for 1996 was noted.
XIII.2 The Committee recommended that the Secretariat should continue to strengthen its efforts towards a more transparent budget. The budget document should clearly reflect increases or decreases in line items with a rationale for the action taken.
XIII. 3 On ...
XIV.1 Work Group 2 examined working document WHC94/CONF.003/9Rev., particularly the proposed revisions of the Operational Guidelines regarding the 'criteria for the inclusion of cultural properties in the World Heritage List', 'monitoring and reporting' and the 'timetable for the processing of nominations'.
XIV.2 The Committee decided that the following proposals, that had not been examined by the Work Group, should be brought forward to the nineteenth session of the Bureau in July 1995: 'deadline for presentation of requests for technical assistance', 'establishment of the World ...
XV. 19 The question of the logo was further touched upon in Work Group 1, which prepared recommendations to the Committee concerning the World Heritage Fund, the 1995 Budget and the future development of the World Heritage Centre. When dealing with budget line 7 (Promotion and Education) of Annex V, doc. WHC-94/CONF.003/10 and the annex to doc. WHC-94/CONF.003/11, the Work Group decided to delete US $ 50.000 foreseen for the protection of the World Heritage Logo, and to reallocate these funds under other budget lines. The Committee endorsed this by accepting the overall 1995 budget ...
XVI.1 The Committee took note of document WHC-94/CONF003/14 which reported on the deliberations of the eighteenth session of the Bureau with regard to a proposal for the modification of paragraphs 8 and 12 of Rule 13 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly.
XVI.2 The Delegations of Italy and France presented the following proposal for an amendment to the Rules of Procedure:
"The proposal of the Bureau to simplify the procedures of the election of the Committee is certainly to be supported. However, we believe that a shift from the absolute majority to a simple majority ...
XVII.1 The Committee decided that the nineteenth session of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee would be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from 26 June - 1 July 1995, pending confirmation of the availability of UNESCO conference facilities for those dates. (Please see NOTE at the bottom of this page.)1
XVII.2 The Committee took note of the fact that the UNIDROIT conference on cultural property would take place in Rome from 5 to 23 June 1995.
XVII.3 The Provisional Agenda for the nineteenth session of the Bureau as outlined in Document WHC-94/CONF.003.12 was adopted with the ...
18 COM XVIII.1-2
Date and Place of the Nineteenth Session of the World Heritage Committee (December 1995)
XVIII.1 The Delegate of Germany transmitted the invitation of the German Government to host the nineteenth session of the Committee in Berlin from 4 to 9 December 1995. The Committee session will be preceded by a meeting of the Bureau to take place, also in Berlin, on 1 and 2 December 1995.
XVIII.2 The Chairman thanked the Delegate of Germany for his Government's kind invitation which was warmly acclaimed by all delegates.
18 EXT.BUR V.A.1.1
Examination of requests for International Assistance - Natural Heritage - Requests on which the Bureau took a decision - Technical cooperation
The Bureau considered the rapid growth in the demand for technical cooperation funds and recommended that, in the future, at least one third of the annual budget for technical cooperation should be targetted towards natural World Heritage sites.
The Bureau considered 4 requests for technical cooperation for strengthening management of natural World Heritage sites and took the following decisions:
Requests approved by the Bureau
Srebarna Nature Reserve (Bulgaria) - US19,000: Purchase and installation of equipment for the measurement and monitoring of water-levels and water ...
18 EXT.BUR V.A.1.2
Examination of requests for International Assistance - Natural Heritage - Requests on which the Bureau took a decision - Training
The Bureau,
noted the increasing demand for support for organizing training courses for natural and cultural heritage specialists.
recommended that in the future the annual training budget should be divided equally for training natural and cultural heritage specialists.
considered 8 requests for supporting the training of natural heritage specialists and worked on the assumption that the training budget for 1995 will be the same as that of 1994 and gave priority to supporting training activities in Africa and in less developed countries.
Requests approved by the Bureau
1. 17th ...
18 EXT.BUR V.A.2
Examination of requests for International Assistance - Natural Heritage - Requests for which the Bureau formulated a recommendation to the Committee
Komodo National Park (Indonesia): The Bureau recommended that the Committee approve a sum of US$40,000 of the US$63,400 requested by the Indonesian authorities for the purchase of a patrol boat and the procurement and installation of a GIS-GPS system. The Bureau recommended that the Indonesian authorities limit the costs of the GIS-GPS system to a maximum of US$19,000 by calling for competitive bids for the supply and installation of this system for the Komodo National Park.
Ujung Kulon National Park (Indonesia): The Bureau recommended that the Committee approve a sum of US$40,000 ...
18 EXT.BUR V.B.1.1
Examination of requests for International Assistance - Cultural Heritage - Requests on which the Bureau took a decision - Technical cooperation
In examining the 10 technical cooperation requests for cultural properties, 2 submitted by ICCROM and 8 by State Parties, the Bureau decided, in accordance with previous decisions taken by the Committee, to give priority to activities for properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger and to those having a catalytic effect rather than for the funding of specific restoration works.
Requests approved by the Bureau
1. The Historic Town of Ouro Preto (Brazil) - US$20,000
The Bureau approved US$20,000 out of the total amount of US$50,000, subject to obtaining assurance that the ...
18 EXT.BUR V.B.1.2
Examination of requests for International Assistance - Cultural Heritage - Requests on which the Bureau took a decision - Training
The Bureau at its 18th session in December 1994 examined 11 requests for training activities related to cultural properties of which 5 were submitted by ICCROM and 6 by State Parties to the total amount exceeding US$ one million. In view of budgetary constraints under the indicative allocation for training, the Bureau decided to give priority to requests submitted by developing countries for activities benefiting site managers of World Heritage cultural properties. The emphasis would be on courses held in situ which take into account local training needs rather than "regular contributions ...
Sites: Complex of Hué Monuments
18 EXT.BUR V.B.2.1
Examination of requests for International Assistance - Cultural Heritage - Requests for which the Bureau formulated a recommendation to the Committee - Technical cooperation
1. Old City of Dubrovnik (Croatia) - US$50,000
The Bureau recommended the approval of the full requested amount of US50,000 for, inter alia, the purchase of equipment for the documentation centre; expertise for the development of a tourism development plan; promotional and educational material and activities on World Heritage in Dubrovnik.
2. Wielizska Salt Mine (Poland) - US$100,000
The Bureau recommended, after considerable debate, the approval by the Committee of this request for US$100,000 to purchase the dehumidifying equipment required for the preservation of the salt sculptures ...
18 EXT.BUR V.B.2.2
Examination of requests for International Assistance - Cultural Heritage - Requests for which the Bureau formulated a recommendation to the Committee - Training
1. ICCROM/CRATerre (International Centre for Earthen Constructions): Training for a professional team and craftsmen-technicians team for the restoration and maintenance of the Palace of Abomey, Benin - US$33,000
The Bureau recommended the approval of US$33,000 out of the original request for US$44,000.
2. Regional Training Course of Maghreb Architects for the Conservation and Protection of Cultural Monuments and Sites (1994 and 1995, Tunisia) - US$50,000
The Bureau recommended the approval by the Committee of the full amount of US$50,000 for this request.
3. Regional Meeting of ...
Sites: Royal Palaces of Abomey
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/2,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
18 EXT.COM 3
Organization of the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee (dates, venue, provisional agenda)
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Documents WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/3 and WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/3.Add,
Recalling that the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, initially scheduled from 19 to 30 June 2022, was postponed by the Bureau on 21 April 2022,
Also recalling that Rule 2.1 of its Rules of Procedure was suspended at its 17th extraordinary session (Decision 17 EXT.COM 3),
Decides to hold its extended 45th session in presentia from 10 to 25 September 2023 in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the Presidency of Her Highness Princess Haifa Al Mogrin (Saudi Arabia), ...
18 EXT.COM 4
Outcomes of the Open-ended Working Group on Sites of Memory Associated with Recent Conflicts
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Documents WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/4 and WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/INF.4,
Part I - Guiding Principles
2. Recalling Decisions 42 COM 8B.24 and 44 COM 8 adopted at its 42nd (Manama, 2018) and the extended 44th (Fuzhou/online, 2021) sessions respectively,
3. Considering the fruitful debates held during the meetings of the Open-ended Working Group established at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021) to broaden the scope of the reflection on sites of memory associated with recent conflicts,
4. Also recalling that the World Heritage ...
Sites: Brâncuși Monumental Ensemble of Târgu Jiu ESMA Museum and Site of Memory – Former Clandestine Centre of Detention, Torture and Extermination Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front) Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero
18 EXT.COM 5.1
Any other matter: Nominations to the World Heritage List - Nominations to be processed on an emergency basis - Lebanon
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Documents WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/5 and WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/INF.5,
Inscribes the Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli, Lebanon, on the World Heritage List according to the emergency procedure, on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv);
Adopts the following Statement of Outstanding Universal Value:
Brief synthesis
The Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli has been erected in Tripoli, the second largest city in Lebanon and the capital of the Northern Governorate, and was designed by Oscar Niemeyer between 1962-1967 and built until 1975. The ...
18 EXT.COM 5.2
Any other matter: Nominations to the World Heritage List - Nominations to be processed on an emergency basis - Ukraine
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Documents WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/5 and WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/INF.5,
Inscribes the Historic Center of the Port City of Odesa, Ukraine, on the World Heritage List according to the emergency procedure, on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv);
Adopts the following Statement of Outstanding Universal Value:
Brief synthesis
The historic centre of Odesa is part of a port city located on the Ukrainian shores of the Black Sea. It stands on a shallow indentation of the seacoast about thirty kilometres north of the Dniester River estuary. The city was ...
Sites: The Historic Centre of Odesa
18 EXT.COM 5.3
Any other matter: Nominations to the World Heritage List - Nominations to be processed on an emergency basis - Yemen
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Documents WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/5 and WHC/23/18.EXT.COM/INF.5,
Inscribes the Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba in Marib Governorate, Yemen, on the World Heritage List according to the emergency procedure, on the basis of criteria (iii) and (iv);
Taking note that the authenticity, integrity, protection and management of the property or its potential vulnerabilities could not have been fully evaluated at this stage due to the lack of a technical evaluation mission to the site,
Adopts the following Statement of Outstanding Universal ...
No Resolution.
The General Assembly,
Elects H.E. Mr. Pablo César GROUX (Plurinational State of Bolivia) as Chairperson of the 18th General Assembly,
Elects Ms. Hyosang JO (Republic of Korea) as Rapporteur of the 18th General Assembly,
Elects Slovenia, Cap Verde and Kuwait as Vice-Chairpersons of the 18th General Assembly.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-11/18.GA/2A,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
18 GA 2B
Adoption of the provisional Timetable of the 18th session of the General Assembly and of the provisional Timetable for the elections to the World Heritage Committee
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-11/18.GA/2B,
Adopts the timetable of its 18th session.
The General Assembly,
Elects Qatar (State Party without a property on the World Heritage List) as member of the World Heritage Committee;
Elects the following eight States Parties as members of the World Heritage Committee: Algeria, Colombia, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Senegal and Serbia.
18 GA 4
Report of the Rapporteur of the 17th session of the General Assembly of States Parties (UNESCO, 2009)
The General Assembly,
Takes note of the report of the Rapporteur of the 17th session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention (UNESCO, 2009).
18 GA 5
Report of the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee on the activities of the World Heritage Committee
The General Assembly,
Takes note of the report of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage on its activities (2010-2011).
18 GA 6
Examination of the statement of accounts of the World Heritage Fund, including the status of the States Parties' contributions
The General Assembly,
Having examined the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ended 31 December 2009 approved by the Deputy Comptroller (Document WHC-11/18.GA/INF.6) in conformity with the Financial Regulations of the World Heritage Fund that stipulate that the accounts of the Fund shall be submitted to the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention (Article 6, paragraph 6.4),
Approves the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ended 31 December 2009 (Document WHC-11/18.GA/INF.6);
Takes note of the accounts of the World ...
18 GA 7
Determination of the amount of the contributions to the World Heritage Fund in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 of the World Heritage Convention
The General Assembly,
Taking into account Article 16 paragraph 1 of the World Heritage Convention on the determination, in the form of a uniform percentage, of the amount of the contributions to be paid to the World Heritage Fund by States Parties,
Decides to set at 1% the percentage for the calculation of the amount of the contributions to be paid to the World Heritage Fund by States Parties for the financial period 2012-2013;
Also takes note of Document WHC-11/18.GA/INF.7 on the status of compulsory and voluntary contributions to the World Heritage Fund;
Further takes note of ...
18 GA 8
Recommendations of the independent evaluation by UNESCO’s external auditor on the implementation of the Global Strategy from its inception in 1994 to 2011 and the Partnership for Conservation Initiative (PACT)
The General Assembly,
1. Having examined Documents WHC-11/18.GA/8 and WHC-11/18.GA/INF.8,
2. Endorses the recommendations of the independent evaluation by UNESCO’s external auditor on the implementation of the Global Strategy from its inception in 1994 to 2011 and the Partnership for Conservation Initiative (PACT) requested by its Resolution 17 GA 9 (UNESCO, 2009),
3. Welcomes the views of all States Parties that provided comments following the Circular Letter dated 13 July 2011;
4. Urges all parties to take into consideration the recommendations of the External Auditor while ...
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-11/18.GA/9,
Recalling Decision 35 COM 5C adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),
Takes note of the progress report on recommendations of the External Audit;
Also takes note of the IOS Audit Plan for the World Heritage Centre for 2012.
The General Assembly,
1. Having examined Documents WHC-11/18.GA/10 and WHC-11/18.GA/INF.10,
2. Recalling Decision 35 COM 6 adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),
3. Thanks the Government of Bahrain for having hosted the first meeting of World Heritage related category 2 centres and of relevant UNESCO Chairs and Higher Education and Research Institutions;
4. Takes note of the report on this meeting, as well as of the reports on the World Heritage related category 2 centres in Bahrain, Brazil, China, Mexico, Norway and South Africa;
5. Also takes ...
The General Assembly, 1. Having examined Documents WHC-11/18.GA/11 and WHC-11/18.GA/INF.11, 2. Recalling Decisions 35 COM 12A, 35 COM 12B, 35 COM 12C, 35 COM 12D, and 35 COM 12E adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011), 3. Thanks the Working Group and its Chairperson, Mr Greg Terrill, for the leadership in elaborating the Vision and Action Plan in an open and participative way; 4. Adopts the Vision and Action Plan and requests the World Heritage Centre to disseminate it widely; 5. Recalls the request by the 35th session of the World Heritage ...
The Bureau recalled that the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1983 and placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992. A report was presented by the State Party on their restoration efforts at the last session of the Bureau. Two small-scale international assistance projects from the World Heritage Fund are presently under way at the site, as well asinternational assistance from other sources. On 29 June 1995 the World Heritage Centre received a report prepared by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Bulgaria recalling the history of the site and the ...
Sites: Srebarna Nature Reserve
The Bureau recalled that the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992. Missions to the site were carried out in 1992 and 1993. The situation remains critical due to armed conflict and the political situation in the region which remains unchanged. The Committee at its eighteenth session decided to retain the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger and another fact-finding mission to this area, particularly to the Korkaova Uvala Virgin Forest is to be scheduled for 1995-96. Given the continued armed conflict in the region, the Bureau recommended to the ...
Sites: Plitvice Lakes National Park
The Bureau recalled that the site was inscribed in 1983 and placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 due to threats from poachers, boundary encroachment and unplanned road construction. A technical assistance project from the World Heritage Fund is underway. The equipment component of this project was carried out in 1994. Furthermore, the World Heritage Centre received in March 1995 a preliminary report by INEFAN (Instituto Ecuatoriano Forestal y de Are-as Naturales y Viola Silvestre) on the environmental impact of the construction of the Guamote-Macas road in the Park and a ...
Sites: Sangay National Park
The Bureau recalled that the site was included on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 because of a proposed iron-ore mining project and threats due to the arrival of a large number of refugees from neighboring countries. An expert mission was undertaken in 1993 and proposals to revise the boundaries of the site were endorsed by the seventeenth session of the Committee in 1993. An international assistance project under the World Heritage Fund was recently carried out in 1994, and a report was presented to the eighteenth session of the World Heritage Committee. The French Ministry ...
The Bureau recalled that at its eighteenth session, the World Heritage Committee took note of the information provided by the Indian Government through the Permanent Delegate that "if the representatives of the World Heritage Centre and of the World Heritage Committee desire to visit New Delhi, Assam and Manas for discussion, or see the site" then they "would be welcomed by the concerned authorities of the Government of India". In the same letter the Indian authorities also indicated that the Indian Government will involve local level NGOs in monitoring the state of conservation of the ...
Sites: Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
The Bureau recalled that the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1993 due to an increasing number of threats since the date of its inscription on the List in 1979. Federal State and local governments as well as private foundations have joined forces in providing significant financial support for the management of the site and for its long-term restoration. The Committee took note of a detailed report prepared by the American authorities which was presented at its eighteenth session.
The World Heritage Centre received a monitoring report from the National Park ...
Sites: Everglades National Park
Virunga National Park, inscribed under criteria (ii), (iii) and (iv) in 1979, was included in the List of World Heritage in Danger at the last session of the World Heritage Committee in December 1994, due to the tragic events in Rwanda and the subsequent massive arrival of refugees from that country. Virunga National Park, situated at the border between Rwanda and Uganda, has been destabilized by the uncontrolled arrival of refugees, causing deforestation and poaching at the sites. The Bureau recalled that the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee approved a total of US$ 50,000 ...
Sites: Virunga National Park
The Bureau recalled that this mixed site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1982 and that the Bureau at its eighteenth session in July 1994, discussed reports received on logging operations in areas adjacent to the World Heritage area. IUCN gave an update on the situation and recalled two concerns which were raised: that there is forested land outside the site which may have World Heritage values, and furthermore that adverse impact on the existing World Heritage site could result from logging and reading activities adjacent to the site. IUCN noted that both the 1990 and 1994 ...
Sites: Tasmanian Wilderness
The Bureau recalled that the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1988 and was the subject of a monitoring report at the sixteenth session of the Committee held in Santa Fe. At that time the management regime had collapsed and the site was under numerous threats. It was recommended that the World Heritage Centre should carry out a mission to the site. Unstable conditions continued to prevail throughout 1993 and into 1994.
In 1994 a new government took office and the French company, "Compagnie Generale d'Aéronautique-CGA” decided to move forward with a significant ...
The Bureau recalled, at the request of the Delegate of Germany, discussions at previous sessions concerning both the state of conservation of the site as well as further action concerning the Galapagos Marine Reserve. By letter of 27 January 95, the Centre requested the Ecuadorian authorities to provide information in time for the Bureau meeting, but no reply was received. The Representative of IUCN informed the Bureau that the situation at the site had not improved, but that time has not allowed the presentation of a report to this Bureau. A report will be prepared for the nineteenth ...
Sites: Galápagos Islands
The Bureau recalled that the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978 and took note of the results of a report on the workshop on the "Simen Mountains National Park Management" held in Gondar from 15 to 17 February 1995, as well as a report on the Simen Mountains Baseline Study by the University of Berne(Switzerland).
Sites: Simien National Park
The Centre informed the Bureau that a report was received from Fundaciôn Rio Platano concerning the site, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1982. The report concerns the agricultural intrusion at the western border of the site. Additional information was obtained on 12 April 1995 on the land reform programme and its implementation in north-eastern Honduras. The settlement programme threatens several protected areas. The Centre contacted the authorities concerned to obtain further information. The Centre has received additional reports about inadequate commitment to the ...
The Centre informed the Bureau that it has received several letters concerning the logging of beech forests outside the World Heritage site and has transmitted them for review to IUCN. The Bureau recalled that the site was inscribed in 1993, and that the Committee at the time recommended to review the site after three years. The Bureau invited the Centre to organize a mission to review the progress made in the implementation of the management plan with regard to the requirements of the World Heritage Convention.
Sites: Shirakami-Sanchi
The Bureau was informed that the UNESCO Equipment Division, in cooperation with the Centre, sent a mission to this World Heritage site in April 1995 to review the current international assistance projects at the site and to carry out an evaluation and assessment of future needs. The mission carried out a detailed review of technical assistance projects under the World Heritage Fund (including the purchase of boats) and helped in designing appropriate projects. This includes a project for an ecological inventory of the coastal regions of the islands in Lake Malawi National Park, which ...
Sites: Lake Malawi National Park
The Bureau took note of the oral report presented by IUCN on the site indicating that Mitsubishi Corporation in partnership with the Mexican Government has a project to convert a part of the lagoon to salt ponds for industrial salt production. A one-mile long pier is proposed, which would disturb the grey whales within the lagoon. The Bureau recommended that a letter be written to the authorities indicating the concerns raised at the nineteenth session of the Bureau and to request an official response on the situation at the site.
The Bureau recalled that-at the eighteenth session of World Heritage Committee IUCN was requested to present to the Bureau an evaluation of the revised boundaries of this site, based on the report of the consultant working on the plan for the area.However, the Omani authorities, who have hired a consultant, have requested a re-scheduling of the report for 30 July 1995. Upon receipt of the report, an evaluation will be prepared for presentation to the nineteenth session of the Committee.
IUCN raised concern that the report was still not available, although the World Heritage Committee had ...
The Representative of IUCN informed the Bureau that the first mission had been undertaken to this World Heritage site reviewing the condition of the site, parks staff and resources, tourism and other issues such as possible threats to the site by mining, dam and road projects. The Bureau requested the Centre: (1) to write a letter of support to the Park management; (2) to write a letter from the Chairman of the World Heritage Committee to the Peruvian Authorities to reiterate the nature of the World Heritage area and the importance of the protection of World Heritage values and its ...
Sites: Huascarán National Park
The Bureau recalled that Bwindi National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994. Reports from different sources, including WWF, have indicated that four mountain gorillas were killed at the site in March 1995. IUCN informed the Bureau that an investigation in Uganda on the incident is currently underway.
The Bureau requested the Centre to inform the Ugandan authorities of its concerns about the depletion of the population of mountain gorillas and to obtain information about the steps undertaken in this respect to ensure no further reductions in the future.
The World Heritage Centre received on 15 September 1994 information on a proposed road project within the site, which involves 2 miles of highway relocation which has been subject to an Environmental Impact Study. The United States National Park Service and IUCN were requested by the eighteenth session of the World Heritage Committee to follow up this matter. The Centre informed the Bureau that in May 1995 a preliminary monitoring report from the National Park Service was received> indicating that the California Department of Transportation (CDT) has proposed to realignment of 3,2 Km ...
The Centre informed the Bureau that detailed documentation concerning Yellowstone National Park was received from a group of fourteen North American conservation organizations. The documents raise serious questions about potential damage to Yellowstone National Park in particular from a proposed mining operation. A draft environmental impact statement is underway. The Centre contacted the American authorities to advise them of the concerns of the World Heritage Centre. Letters by the National Park Service and by the Assistant Secretary of Fish and Wildlife addressed to the Centre are ...
Sites: Yellowstone National Park
The Bureau recalled that with the relocation of a refugee camp in 1994, the Kahuzi-Biega World Heritage site seemed to be less threatened in comparison with the situation at Virunga NationalPark, but still remains critical. The Centre informed the Bureau that a new visitor centre was built with funding from the German authorities and the GTZ. Furthermore, Kahuzi-Biega obtained funds from the European Cooperation. A progress report on the emergency assistance from the World Heritage Fund was also received. The site will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 1995.
The Bureau requested the ...
Sites: Kahuzi-Biega National Park
The Bureau recalled that the impact of tourism and the proposed dam at the site was discussed at several meetings of the Committee and the Bureau. IUCN informed the Bureau that CND $ 350,000 from the Canadian Development Agency (CIDA) were received by the IUCN office in Zimbabwe to carry out management planning and environmental impact studies for proper protection of the site. The Bureau asked the Centre to write a letter to CIDA commending them for their efforts to protect this World Heritage site.
At its eighteenth session, the Committee-requested the World Heritage Centre to send a ‘monitoring” mission to the World Heritage site (44 ha) to evaluate its state of conservation. A mission comprising two experts, Professor Spini (architect) and Ms Antongini (anthropologist) left Paris at the beginning of July for Abomey. These two experts, who have worked at the site, were designated by the Directorate of Heritage of Benin, which requested them to:
i) review the nomination dossier for the site and complete it in accordance with the new nomination format which will be ...
Sites: Royal Palaces of Abomey
The Secretariat reported that within the framework of assistance provided by the UNESCO Secretariat to the Cambodian authorities for the implementation of obligations following the inscription of Angkor on the List of World Heritage in Danger, in 1992, a legal expert was sent by UNESCO in March 1995, to finalize for adoption and application, the legislation with regard to the protection of cultural heritage.
As far as the establishment of a national organism for protection and the management of the site is concerned, the Cambodian authorities issued, on 19 February 1995, a decree ...
Sites: Angkor
The Bureau took note of the information provided by the Secretariat about the progress made in the setting up of a documentation centre and coordination unit for the restoration works in the Old City and the Secretariat's cooperation with the national and local authorities in training the necessary personnel and purchasing equipment for this unit. It requested the Secretariat to monitor the implementation of the assistance and to present a progress report to the World Heritage Committee at its nineteenth session. The Bureau recommended the Committee to retain this property on the List of ...
Sites: Old City of Dubrovnik
The Mali authorities have committed themselves to the launching of a pilot project to which the management committees and the masons responsible for the three mosques of Djingareiber, Sankoré and Sidi Yahia which are inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, will be associated. Last June the authorities signed a contract with the World Heritage Centre for the first phase of the project, that is the gathering of information and preparations for the pilot work to be undertaken in 1996.
During the implementation of the second phase of the project, the Mali authorities will require ...
Sites: Timbuktu
After having taken note of the Secretariat’s report on the two expert missions organized with the cooperation of the national authorities, (December 1994 and May-June 1995), the Bureau thanked the Omani authorities for their active collaboration with UNESCO for the preservation of Bahia Fort. It particularly appreciated their willingness to follow the advice of the specialists in earth constructions, sent to the site. The Bureau was of the opinion that this was the only way by which the authenticity of the site would be respected and that great importance should continue to be given ...
Sites: Bahla Fort
The Bureau took note of the information provided by the Secretariat that the course on adobe conservation that was originally scheduled to take place at this site in 1995 had been postponed to 1996. It decided, therefore, to await the results of the assessment of the conservation policies and practices at the Chan Chan Archaeological Zone, that will be undertaken in the context of this course. The Bureau recommended the Committee to retain the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
The Bureau took note of the information provided by the Secretariat on the actions taken to implement the technical cooperation project that was approved by the World Heritage Committee at its eighteenth session. The Bureau requested the Secretariat to monitor the implementation of the technical assistance and the impact of the equipment on the conditions of this site and to keep the Committee informed of the results. The Bureau recommended the Committee to retain the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger until the results and a report of the impact of technical assistance on the ...
19 BUR VI.22
Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat and Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur (Bangladesh)
The Secretariat informed the Bureau that UNESCO's Division for Physical Heritage organized a project monitoring mission in December 1994 to these two cultural sites in Bangladesh inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1985. The mission reported on the progress of the two projects financed under the UNESCO/Japan Funds-in-Trust for Cultural Heritage within the International Safeguarding Campaign for Paharpur and Bagerhat. The mission, while noting with satisfaction, the progress made in the archaeological and architectural documentation, recommended inter alia that: (i) national norms and ...
After having noted the content of the mission report of the UNESCO experts invited by the Government of Egypt, from 1 to 6 April 1995, to assist in identifying measures to ensure the conservation of the World Heritage site of the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur, the Bureau congratulated and warmly thanked the Egyptian authorities for the decisions taken to date and the actions already undertaken:
1) the choice of a new route passing north of the World Heritage site for the highway link to the ring-road, which will follow, once the necessary ...
The Secretariat informed the Bureau that, as requested by the World Heritage Committee at its eighteenth session, the Greek authorities had presented information on the legal protection and the management arrangements for the City. The Bureau requested the Secretariat jointly with ICOMOS to examine the information provided and to report on it to its next session in December 1995.
Sites: Medieval City of Rhodes
The Secretariat informed the Bureau that the Third International Experts Meeting on Borobudur was held on site in January 1995 and that the Expert Group expressed satisfaction on the state of conservation of Borobudur, which has been the object of a UNESCO International Safeguarding Campaign launched in 1972, although the site was only inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991. The Centre reported that the meeting made, inter alia, the following recommendations:
(i) avoid any future actions or activities that would unnecessarily disturb the traditional appearance of the site, e.g. ...
Sites: Borobudur Temple Compounds
The Centre reported that the UNESCO Physical Heritage Division undertook a mission to Iran in December 1994 which included a preliminary survey on the state of conservation of the World Heritage cultural property of Meidan Emam in Isfahan. Observations focused on the following:
(i) concern over the heavy traffic in the old town, particularly on the Meidan Emam place, which along with the surrounding monuments are in the protected zone. The proposed construction of an underground passage to alleviate the traffic congestion had been shelved due to the high water table preventing its ...
Sites: Meidan Emam, Esfahan
The Centre informed the Bureau that a joint Japan/UNESCO project identification mission to this World Heritage Site inscribed in 1979, took place in February 1995. It was observed that in spite of the application of a good traditional method of conservation, consisting of covering the exposed structures each year with "kargel" (mud and straw mixture) , the site has continued to deteriorate in the absence of a viable method for sustainable conservation of the mud-brick structures which are annually exposed to heavy rainfall.
The mission also noted some movement of the supporting brick ...
Sites: Tchogha Zanbil
The Bureau, having been informed of looting of archaeological sites in Iraq, particularly at Hatra, recommended the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention to do their utmost to prevent the illicit traffic of archaeological objects and sculptures from this site.
Sites: Hatra
After having taken note of the Secretariat’s report, and additional information from ICOMOS, the Bureau thanked the Jordanian authorities for having undertaken the measures outlined by the Committee without delay and congratulated them on their desire to ensure long-term conservation of the site. In order to have available all the necessary elements for the evaluation of the proposed extension of the site, it requested the authorities to confirm by 1 October that no new hotel construction projects will be authorized at Wadi Musa and along the Taybeh road, that the Petra National ...
Sites: Petra
After having taken note of the Secretariat’s report, the Bureau expressed its regrets that the Maltese authorities had not responded to the requests of the Committee, and stressed the importance that the requested information be submitted to the Centre by 1 October 1995, so that the World Heritage Committee may evaluate the situation at its nineteenth session and take the measures it deems necessary.
Sites: Megalithic Temples of Malta
After having taken note of the Secretariat's report, the Bureau expressed its regrets that the Maltese authorities had not responded to the requests of the Committee, and stressed the importance that the requested information be submitted to the Centre by 1 October 1995, so that the World Heritage Committee may evaluate the situation at its nineteenth session and take the measures it deems necessary.
Following the presentation of the reports concerning these two sites, the Observer of Malta wished to thank the Centre for the work accomplished in close collaboration with the national ...
Sites: Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
The Bureau recalled that World Heritage technical assistance was approved in 1994 in order to advise the national and local authorities on the conservation and rehabilitation policies for this city, particularly for the Rio San Francisco area. The Secretariat informed the Bureau that a high-level expert had undertaken a series of missions and that the final report will be available by the end of July. The Bureau requested the Secretariat to report on the results of this assistance to the its next session.
Sites: Historic Centre of Puebla
The Centre recalled that the World Heritage Committee at its eighteenth session expressed its appreciation for the monitoring report prepared by the Department of Archaeology on the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the Committee at its seventeenth session. The Committee approved in December 1994, a technical cooperation request under the World Heritage Fund to finance a six-month mission of an international technical adviser to Kathmandu to assist the authorities in the preparation of a package of projects for international funding and to establish a development ...
Sites: Kathmandu Valley
The World Heritage Centre informed the Bureau that it undertook a mission in March 1995 to assist the national authorities in preparing the state of conservation reports on the World Heritaqe cultural-properties in Pakistan.
The mission benefitted from the 15th meeting of the International Consultative Committee (ICC) for the Safeguarding Campaign for Moenjodaro, launched in 1974, to gather information for a monitoring report on this site currently under preparation in collaboration with and at the request of the national authorities. Amongst the observations made were: (i) the need to ...
With regard to Taxila, the Centre reported that during its joint mission with the Sub-regional Office of the Department of Archaeology and Museum in March 1995, it was observed that the nomination file, on the basis of which the property was inscribed on the World Heritage List, did not clearly indicate the number of sites it contained. The site of Taxila, under the national registry of historic monuments is composed of some 55 sites spread over an area of about 18 kms x 8 kms of the Taxila Valley.
The Centre reported that the state of conservation of the sites visited varied but, on the ...
Sites: Taxila
The Bureau recalled that the potential impact of the extension of the Taos Airport on the World Heritage site of Taos Pueblo was discussed at various Bureau and Committee meetings and that the Committee’s concerns were transmitted to the United States authorities. The Secretariat informed the Bureau that it had received preliminary monitoring reports from the Taos Pueblo War Chief and the US National Park Service. Both reports indicated that the major issue was the size of the area determined to be affected by the proposed airport extension. It was reported that this area was ...
Sites: Taos Pueblo
ICOMOS reported on its cooperation with the Sri Lankan authorities and international experts in the monitoring of three World Heritage cultural sites - Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya. The ICOMOS Representative indicated that, as the preliminary report made available to the Bureau emphasized, this experience in Sri Lanka should serve as an example for the methodology applied in the monitoring exercise, especially in its interdisciplinary and systematic data collection methods. He also reported on ICOMOS’ involvement in the monitoring of World Heritage sites in the United ...
The Centre informed the Bureau of a recent meeting between the Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United Nations and the Director-General of UNESCO during which the critical situation of the cultural properties of Afghanistan caused by years of neglect and war damage, as well as the illicit excavation and traffic of movable property were discussed. It was recalled that four of the sites on the tentative list of Afghanistan, namely, Herat, Bamiyan, Ai Khanoum and the Minaret of Jam - were officially nominated by the State Party for inscription and that on the basis of ICOMOS’ ...
The Bureau recalled that the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 as it was affected by civil disturbances and its staff held hostage. The World Heritage Committee at its eighteenth session took note that a peace accord was signed on 9 October 1994 and encouraged the authorities to implement it and to undertake all efforts to safeguard the site. The Centre in cooperation with the authorities of Niger sent a mission to Niger to review the protected area system of Niger and to prepare a nomination of a natural site. As one of the outcomes of this mission, a ...
IX.1 The Bureau examined documents WHC-95/CONF.201/7 and WHC-95/CONF.201/7Add and noted that, in accordance with the decisions at the eighteenth session of the World Heritage Committee, one third of the funds should be for natural heritage.Therefore, only requests for technical cooperation for natural heritage were brought forward to the Bureau. The Bureau, taking note of the amount of the remaining funds for international assistance, took the following decisions:
Requests approved:
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Guinea/Côte d'Ivoire)
Technical assistance for ...