II.1 The Committee adopted the provisional agenda as amended by the Delegate of Niger, and endorsed by Malta, proposing that item 6 of the provisional agenda (Constitution of working groups to examine specific items on the Committee's agenda) be replaced by a new item: Report on the decisions taken by the General Assembly of the States Parties (Tenth session) and by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 28th session.
III.1 As proposed by the Delegate of the United States of America, and endorsed by the Delegates of Niger, Japan, Italy, Lebanon, Canada and France, Mr Horst Winkelmann (Germany) was elected by acclamation as Chairperson of the Committee. Mr Lambert Messan (Niger) was elected also by acclamation as Rapporteur, and the following members of the Committee were elected as Vice-Chairpersons: Australia, Italy, Japan, Lebanon and Mexico.
III.2 The newly-elected Chairperson thanked warmly the outgoing Chairperson, Dr Adul Wichiencharoen, for his dedicated work in the past year. Having underlined ...
VI.1 The Chairperson having suggested the setting up of possibly two working groups in order to facilitate the work, the Committee decided, on the proposal of Italy which was endorsed by Japan, Mexico and Niger, to set up a working group to discuss the International Assistance requests, and to organize, if necessary, the Committee's debate on the budget. It was likewise decided that this, as any other working group, would be open to all delegates and observers alike.
VI.2 The Committee also decided to create a working group which would prepare sub-items (a), (b), (c) and (d) of Agenda ...
VII.50 The Working Group on monitoring and reporting was chaired by Mr Barry Jones (Australia). Mr Harald Plachter (Germany) served as the Rapporteur of this Working Group.
VII.51 The report of the Working Group was presented by its Chairperson to the Committee's plenary session on Friday, 8 December 1995. He informed the Committee that the Working Group recognized that the issue under consideration consists of two steps:
1. the monitoring by the states Parties of the state of their World Heritage sites;2. the regular reporting on the state of these sites in accordance with the ...
19 COM VII.1
Reports on the State of Conservation of the World Heritage Cultural and Natural Properties: Working Group
VII.1 The Committee having decided to have during this session a working group on monitoring and reporting, this item is reported in two parts:
- Reports on the state of conservation of specific properties;- Report of the working group on monitoring and reporting.
This question also appears in Chapter IX in the framework of the presentation of the Report of the General Assembly of States Parties.
VII.2 The Committee examined reports on the state of conservation of eight natural and seven cultural properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Furthermore, the committee examined state of conservation reports on thirteen natural, one mixed cultural and natural site and nineteen cultural World Heritage sites.
VII.6 Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Guinea/Cote d' Ivoire)
The Committee recalled that the site was included on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 because of negative impacts from a proposed iron-ore mining project and threats due to the arrival of a large number of refugees from neighbouring countries. It furthermore recalled that an extensive report was presented to the Bureau at its nineteenth session in July 1995.
The Committee noted that in response to the Bureau's request for clarifications on the legal protection and classification of the site, the Ministry for ...
V11.7 Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (India)
The IUCN Representative informed the Committee that recent information on the site indicates that the civil unrest continues to restrict management efforts. Habitat conditions in a portion of Manas were still intact, but numbers of large fauna species were particularly low due to commercial poaching.
The Committee recalled that it had on numerous occasions expressed its concerns on the state of conservation of the site and requested the State Party to provide detailed information.
The Committee took note of the intervention by the Observer of ...
Sites: Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
VII.8 Air-et-Tenere Reserve (Niger)
The Committee recalled that at the request of the Niger authorities, the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 as it was affected by civil disturbances. A Peace Accord was signed in October 1994.
The Delegate of Niger took the floor and recommended that an evaluation mission be organized to review the situation at the site.
Meanwhile, the Committee decided that the site would remain on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The situation will be reviewed by the Committee at its twentieth session in the light of information ...
VII.9 Everglades National Park (United States of America)
The Committee 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 World Heritage List in 1979 and that Federal State and local governments, as well as private foundations, had joined forces in providing significant financial support for the management of the site and its long-term restoration.
The World Heritage Centre presented a monitoring report, received from the State Party in November 1995, indicating that the ...
Sites: Everglades National Park
VII.3 Srebarna Nature Reserve (Bulgaria)
The committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 and that the Bureau at its nineteenth session examined a substantive state of conservation report, prepared by the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Bulgaria.
The Representative of IUCN informed the committee that a monitoring mission was undertaken by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention and a detailed monitoring report was prepared. This report indicates that the new water control structure allows an inflow of water on a small scale, ...
Sites: Srebarna Nature Reserve
VII.4 Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 and that information was received from both the Permanent Delegation of the Republic _of Croatia to UNESCO and the Croatian National Commission for UNESCO, indicating that damage from the period of occupation was evident. The Committee furthermore noted that the site was reopened to the public on 10 August 1995 and that the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee approved a request for emergency assistance (communications equipment) for an ...
Sites: Plitvice Lakes National Park
VII.5 Sangay National Park (Ecuador)
The Committee 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 due to threats from poachers, boundary encroachment and unplanned road construction. It took note of the preliminary report by INEFAN (Instituto Ecuatoriano Forestal y de Areas Naturales y Vida Silvestre) on the environmental impact of the construction of the Guamote-Macas road in the Park, and an extensive report of October 1995 provided by the IUCN Office in Ecuador. This report indicates that the road ...
Sites: Sangay National Park
VII. 10 Virunga National Park (Zaire)
The Committee recalled that Virunga National Park was included on 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 influx of refugees from that country. It noted that the site is seriously threatened by the uncontrolled arrival of refugees, causing deforestation and poaching at the site.
The Committee took note of the reports provided both by the Secretariat and IUCN, as well as the responses received by the Ministry for the ...
Sites: Virunga National Park
VII.14 Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras)
The Committee recalled that the Bureau at its nineteenth session took note of a report received from the Fundaci6n Rio Platano concerning the site, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1982. The report concerned the agricultural intrusion at the south and western borders of the site and on the land reform programme and its implementation in north-eastern Honduras. The Bureau at its nineteenth session requested IUCN to verify the situation and to report back to the nineteenth session of the World Heritage committee. Subsequently, the ...
VII.15 Komodo National Park (Indonesia)
The Committee took note that a mission to consider the state of conservation of Komodo National Park took place in July 1995 under the leadership of the Chair of the Indonesian World Heritage Committee, accompanied by representatives of the national authorities and the UNESCO Office in Jakarta. The Committee expressed its concern for the four officials of the Indonesian World Heritage Committee still missing at sea after a tragic accident during the course of a monitoring mission to Komodo. The Committee paid tribute to their dedication to the ...
Sites: Komodo National Park
VII.16 Whale sanctuary of El Viscaino (Mexico)
The Committee recalled that the Bureau at its last session took note of the report on the site, presented by the IUCN Representative, indicating that the Mitsubishi Corporation in partnership with the Mexican Government, has a project to convert a part of the lagoon into salt ponds for industrial salt production. A one-mile long pier is proposed, which could disturb the grey whales within the lagoon. The Committee noted that no response has yet been received to a letter written to the authorities indicating the concerns raised at the ...
VII.17 Arabian Oryx Sanctuary (Oman)
The committee recalled that at its eighteenth session it requested IUCN 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. The World Heritage Centre informed the Committee that it has received a "Preliminary Land Use and Management Plan" of November 1995 which the Centre has transmitted to IUCN for review.
VII.18 Tongariro National Park (New Zealand)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed under natural criteria on the World Heritage List in 1990 and as a cultural landscape in 1993. The Centre informed the Committee that it received information from a member of the local Maori community about the dropping of 1080 poison on Mount Tongariro to-combat the possum browse which threatens indigenous flora, and that the Department of Conservation had held consultations with the community, which agreed to a time-limited operation, which would not contaminate waterways. The Committee took ...
Sites: Tongariro National Park
VII. 19 Huascaran National Park (Peru)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1985 and that a report on the site was presented to the nineteenth session of the Bureau. In addition, the IUCN Representative informed the Committee about (a) the need for an inventory of cultural heritage within the Park to be undertaken, and (b) road proposals which might become a serious threat to the integrity of the World Heritage site.
The Committee thanked the Peruvian authorities for the arrangements made to facilitate the IUCN mission to the Huascaran ...
Sites: Huascarán National Park
VII.20 Skocjan Caves (Slovenia)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1986 and took note of the report by IUCN on the field mission outlining that the size of the site had been expanded from 200 to 400 ha to better control the surface area of the underground caves. Actions by the State Party included expenditure of US$ 22 million on upstream pollution control, strengthening legislation, consideration of a buffer zone and proposals for new park offices and visitor facilities. The Delegate of Germany asked for clarification concerning the extended ...
Sites: Škocjan Caves
VII.21 Redwood National Park (United States of America)
The Committee recalled that the Bureau at its nineteenth session reviewed a preliminary monitoring report and further information on the proposed realignment of Highway 101 near cushing Creek in Del Norte County to correct safety and operational problems. The World Heritage Centre informed the committee about new information received from the State Party that the proposed realignment of Highway 101 through Redwood National Park, as described in a new alternative by the California Department of Transportation, will result in the ...
VII.22 Yellowstone National Park (United States of America)
The Committee recalled that Yellowstone National Park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1978 and that it is the first National Park in the world. It furthermore recalled that the Bureau discussed the potential threats to Yellowstone at its last session in July 1995. The Bureau had requested a joint mission to the site to review the situation. The mission was carried out in September 1995 by the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, representatives of the World Heritage Centre, and a representative of IUCN's ...
Sites: Yellowstone National Park
VII.11 Tasmanian Wilderness (Australia)
The Committee 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. It furthermore recalled that two concerns were raised: (a) that there is forested land outside the site which may have World Heritage values, and (b) that logging and roading activities adjacent to the site could have an adverse impact on the existing World Heritage site.
The Committee noted that the ...
Sites: Tasmanian Wilderness
VII.12 Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (Canada)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed in 1984 (extension in 1990) and took note of the report presented by IUCN. The report underlines the infrastructural development of the "Bow Corridor", which is intensely used and developed. The Canadian authorities have set up a task force to look into this issue and the ecological integrity of the site. The Delegate of Canada took the floor and underlined that the Government of Canada recognizes the importance to study the problem and invited IUCN to cooperate with the task force by making ...
VII.13 Galapagos National Park (Ecuador)
The Committee took note of a report presented by IUCN on the site. This report outlined, while acknowledging efforts by the Ecuadorian authorities concerning legislation and cooperation with local authorities, the threats this site is currently facing. These are mainly:
(a) threats to the terrestrial biodiversity with the introduction of species of vertebrate animals endangering endemic flora and fauna, as well as the growing human population, which has severe impacts for example for solid waste disposal,
(b) threats to the marine biodiversity ...
Sites: Galápagos Islands
VII.23 Ha Long Bay (Vietnam)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994 and took note of a report presented by IUCN. The report outlines two potential threats to the site: (a) a new port is to be developed in the Bay which would route large transport ships through the site, and (b) a license for a large floating hotel at the site which would have further impacts on the heavy tourist pressures in the Bay.
The Delegate of Japan provided further information concerning financial support for the project from Japanese aid agencies for an amount of ...
VII.24 Willandra Lakes Region (Australia)
The Committee took note of a new boundary proposal which will reduce the total area by about thirty percent. The Committee decided to take this issue up under item VIII "Nominations".
Sites: Willandra Lakes Region
VII.25 Royal Palaces of Abomey (Benin)
In accordance with the recommendation adopted by the Bureau at its eighteenth session in July 1995, the Committee was informed of a mission organized by the World Heritage Centre to Abomey to complete and update the nomination documents and prepare a state of conservation report. The mission recommended to the authorities concerned:
1) to identify more precisely the boundaries of the site and enhance the respect of the buffer zone which should take into account the enclosing walls and the old entrance doors;
2) establish a global conservation and ...
Sites: Royal Palaces of Abomey
VII.26 Angkor (Cambodia)
The Secretariat recalled that at the time of inscription of Angkor on the List of World Heritage and on the List in Danger at the sixteenth session of the World Heritage Committee in Santa Fe, on 14 December 1992, the Committee set forth five obligations it requested the Cambodian authorities to fulfill within a period of three years. This period coming to its term at the end of December this year, H. E. Mr Vann Molyvann, Minister of State of the Royal Government of Cambodia, took the floor at the invitation of the Chairperson to inform the Committee on the ...
Sites: Angkor
VII.27 Old city of Dubrovnik (Croatia)
The Committee, having taken note of the difficulties which hindered the execution of the programme for which it had approved funds in 1994, requested the Secretariat to continue monitoring its implementation and to present a progress report to the Bureau at its twentieth session. The Committee decided to retain this property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Sites: Old City of Dubrovnik
VII.28 Timbuktu (Mali)
The Committee was informed of the state of progress of the pilot project for the preservation of the three mosques of Timbuktu inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The first phase, which was carried out by the national authorities, will be followed in 1995 by the intervention of experts from ICCROM and CRATerre - EAG. This second phase should receive support from the World Heritage Fund.
Having noted that the Mali authorities granted emergency assistance from the national budget to finance conservation work, the Committee endorsed the launching of a ...
Sites: Timbuktu
VII.29 Bahla Fort (Oman)
The Committee was informed that since its eighteenth session two expert missions had visited the site. The observations and recommendations of the first mission are set out in a Consolidated Report transmitted to the national authorities, confirming that the work being carried out was of a clearly "renovation" type, risking to irremediably compromise the authenticity of this historic monument. The second mission, carried out from 27 May to 11 June 1995, with the financial support of Oman, by a specialist in mud-brick architecture, provided valuable advice on the ...
Sites: Bahla Fort
VII.30 Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru)
The Committee decided to wait for the results of the assessment of the conservation policies and practices at the Chan Chan Archaeological Zone, to be undertaken in the context of the course on adobe conservation that will be held at Chan Chan, in late 1996. The Committee decided to retain the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
VII.31 Wieliczka Salt Mines (Poland)
The Committee took note of the information provided by the Secretariat that UNESCO had taken all the necessary measures for the implementation of the technical cooperation project that was approved by the World Heritage Committee at its eighteenth session but that it had not received to date the consent of the Polish authorities as to UNESCO's proposals regarding the purchase of the equipment. In the absence of any further clarification from the State Party concerned, the Delegate of the United States of America informed the Committee that the Polish ...
VII.33 City of Potosi (Bolivia)
The Committee took note of the information provided by the Secretariat on the potential degradation of the Cerro Rico mountain by continued mining operations. Considering that the Cerro Rico forms an integral part of the World Heritage site, the Committee invited the Bolivian authorities to inform the Secretariat of the measures it has taken for its preservation and management.
Sites: City of Potosí
19 COM VII.C.2.34/35
SOC: Memphis and its Necropolis -- the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur (Egypt)
VII.34 Memphis and its Necropolis -- the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur (Egypt)
It was recalled that the Committee had been informed during its eighteenth session in Phuket of the very serious problems which threatened the site. Following an exchange of correspondence between the Director-General of UNESCO, the Government of Egypt and the World Heritage Committee, a UNESCO expert mission visited Egypt from 1 to 6 April 1995, at the invitation of the national authorities. Its terms of reference were to propose safeguarding measures for the World Heritage site of the Pyramid Fields ...
VII.35 Islamic Cairo (Egypt)
The Committee therefore requested the Secretariat to transmit to the Egyptian authorities the following text concerning the Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur and the Islamic Cairo:
Having noted the results of the mission 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 Committee congratulated and thanked the Egyptian authorities for the decisions taken to date and for the action already ...
VII.36 Churches of Lalibela (Ethiopia)
The project for the "Restoration and Preservation of the Churches of Lalibela" was conceived and formulated in the framework of the International campaign for the Conservation and Preservation of-the Monuments of Ethiopia, and implemented by the Division of Cultural Heritage. It illustrates the complementarity and the dynamism of the activities carried out for heritage by the UNESCO Secretariat as a whole. This project, which receives support from the European Union and the Finnish Ministry of the Environment, will establish on the basis of ...
Sites: Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela
VII.37 Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin (Germany)
The Committee took note of the report provided by the Secretariat and invited the German authorities to provide a full state of conservation report on the site, including statements concerning legal protection, current planning and development of Potsdam, as well as information on possible extensions of the site and/or buffer zones adjacent to the site.
VII.38 Borobudur (Indonesia)
The Committee noted with appreciation the submission of the state of conservation reports on Borobudur and Prambanan, both inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991 and commended the Indonesian World Heritage Committee for the importance it has attached to the systematic monitoring exercise and rapid completion of the state of conservation reports on the cultural properties.
With regard to Borobudur, the Committee expressed its wish to receive the detailed plan of the "sound and light" theatre at this site, prior to its construction in view of the ...
Sites: Borobudur Temple Compounds
VII.39 Heidan Emam of Isfahan (Iran)
The Secretariat informed the Committee that it received the draft report of a mission carried out in September 1995 to assess the state of conservation of the Meidan Eman of Isfahan by the Iranian Cultural Organization in association with ICCROM following the concern raised by the Bureau in July 1995 on the impact of the new road projects on this site. The Committee took note of this and decided to study the reports at the next Bureau meeting before formulating its recommendations.
Sites: Meidan Emam, Esfahan
VII.40 Petra (Jordan)
The Secretariat recalled that during its eighteenth session, the Committee was informed of the different threats (hotel constructions near the site, insufficient waste water evacuation systems, uncontrolled urban development, proliferation of shops) menacing the preservation of the integrity of the site.
It informed the Committee that by letter of 13 March, the Permanent Delegation of Jordan had sent the Centre a proposal for an extension of the site under the name Petra Natural and Archaeological Park, which was subsequently withdrawn pending completion of the ...
Sites: Petra
VII.41 Vilnius Historic Centre (Lithuania)
The Committee took note of the report on the comprehensive rehabilitation programme for the City. It commended the Government of Lithuania and the municipal authorities of Vilnius for their timely and appropriate initiative.
Sites: Vilnius Historic Centre
VII.42 Ihle de Mozambique (Mozambique)
The Committee was informed that the World Heritage Centre undertook a mission last July in order to:
- define the necessary measures to prepare an integrated rehabilitation programme for the Ihle;- establish the list of urgent conservation work.
The report of this mission was discussed last November in Paris, with the Minister of Culture who asked the Director- General of UNESCO for a Funds-in-Trust to be administered in Maputo by a steering Committee. The UNESCO Representative in Mozambique would be a member of this Committee. The Mozambique ...
Sites: Island of Mozambique
VII.43 Tyr (Lebanon)
The committee was informed of a land fill project in part of the bay adjacent to the old port north of Tyr, in the immediate vicinity of the World Heritage site, in order to build a tourist complex. If implemented, such a project would irremediably destroy the underwater archaeological remains located near the old port and would be a major threat to the immediate vicinity of the listed site. UNESCO organized a mission of two experts to the site; however, the results of this mission had not been received at the beginning of December.
The Committee thanked Mr Michel ...
Sites: Tyre
VII.46 Kathmandu Valley (Nepal)
The Secretariat reported that the technical cooperation grant approved by the committee at its eighteenth session in December 1994, enabled the deployment in October 1995 of an International Technical Adviser (ITA) to Kathmandu for a period of five months to assist the authorities in the preparation of project proposals for international funding and to establish a development control unit within the Department of Archaeology. In addition to the three national professionals who will be trained as development control officers by the ITA, three persons are ...
Sites: Kathmandu Valley
VII.47 Taxila (Pakistan)
The Committee noted that the Bureau at its nineteenth session requested the Department of Archaeology & Museums, in cooperation with the World Heritage Centre, to (i) carry out the required scientific studies on vegetation control to minimize the damage to the masonry and structure of the monuments, and (ii) appraise the impact of the heavy industries and the stone quarrying in the Taxila Valley areas, identified during the systematic monitoring mission carried out in March-April 1995.
It noted that the Government of Pakistan submitted a technical ...
Sites: Taxila
VII.48 Taos Pueblo (United States of America)
The committee 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 committee that it had received preliminary monitoring reports notably from the US National Park Service. These reports indicated that the major issue was the size of the area determined to be affected by the proposed airport extension. It was reported ...
Sites: Taos Pueblo
VII.32 Kasbah of Algiers (Algeria)
The committee was informed of the Algerian authorities' firm intention to continue their efforts in preserving the World Heritage values of the Kasbah of Algiers, and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sent to the World Heritage Centre a "Report on the Actions for the Safeguarding of the Kasbah for 1995", in accordance with the request of the Committee during the inscription of the site in 1992.
The Committee thanked the Algerian Government for having provided the information concerning the high priority given to this site and the actions ...
Sites: Kasbah of Algiers
VII.44 Megalithic Temples (Malta) Hal Saflieni Hypogeum (Malta)
The Committee was informed, during its eighteenth session, and the Bureau at its nineteenth session, of the very serious situation with regard to these monuments.
The Secretariat informed the Committee that since that time, the Permanent Delegation of Malta had transmitted a detailed report dated 4 September 1995 from the Director of the Museums Department of Malta on all the measures already undertaken or foreseen to ensure the long-term safeguarding of ...
VII.45 Medina of Fez (Morocco)
The Committee followed with interest the Moroccan Government's efforts for the preservation of the Medina of Fez, which made it a model for the protection of Islamic cities.
Nevertheless, according to the Secretariat's report, it appears that the urban development projects undertaken in 1994 and 1995 and which consist among others of demolishing parts of the Medina to make way for tarmac roads, completely ignore the principles for preservation as defined in the World Heritage Convention. Consequently, the Committee expressed its grave concern with regard ...
Sites: Medina of Fez
VII.49 Hue (Viet Nam)
The Committee noted with satisfaction the Secretariat's report on the considerable efforts made by the Vietnamese authorities in the conservation of the Complex of Hue Monuments and the achievements made by the Hue-UNESCO Working Group in revitalizing the International Campaign for the Safeguarding of the Hue World Heritage site.
The Secretariat reported on the formation by the Vietnamese authorities of an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism to monitor and ensure the safeguarding of Hue and the Committee shared the Vietnamese authorities' concern that rapid ...
Sites: Complex of Hué Monuments
19 COM VIII.1-2
Information on the Tentative Lists and Examination of Nominations to the World Heritage List and List of World Heritage in Danger
VIII.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-95/CONF.203/INF.7. The Delegates of Germany and Niger stated that they had recently sent up-dated tentative lists which, however, had not been taken in to account in document INF.7.
VIII.2 Upon the proposal of the Delegate of Canada, the Committee decided that the presentation of the cultural sites should include citations, as is the case with the presentation of the ...
VIII.3 The Committee recalled that the Bureau at its last session in July 1995 examined ten natural nominations and referred three properties back to the States Parties and one to IUCN.
VIII.4 The Bureau examined at its December session four nominations of natural properties, of which it recommended the inscription of two properties. Two nominations were deferred as further information was needed. The Committee also discussed one proposed extension to a World Heritage site and one revision of the boundaries of a World Heritage site.
19 COM VIII.A.1
Inscription: Waterton Glacier International Peace Park (Canada/United States of America)
Waterton Glacier International Peace Park
354Rev
Canada/United States of America
N(ii) (iii)
The committee took note of the evaluation presented by IUCN and that the site meets criteria (ii) and (iii) because of its distinctive climate, physiographic setting, mountain/prairie interface and tri-ocean hydrographical divide as well as its scenic values and the cultural importance of its International Peace Park designation. IUCN further recommended that a single "Biosphere Reserve" should be created from the three Biosphere Reserves already existing in the area.
The Committee decided ...
Messel Pit Fossil site
720
Germany
N(i)
The Committee inscribed the nominated property on the basis of criterion (i), considering that the site is of outstanding universal value as the single best site which contributes to the understanding of the Eocene, when mammals became firmly established in all principal land ecosystems. Furthermore, the committee commended the German Government for their support of the high standards of paleontological research undertaken.
Sites: Messel Pit Fossil Site
19 COM VIII.A.1
Inscription: The Caves of the Aggtelek Karst and the Slovak Karst (Hungary/Slovak Republic)
The Caves of the Aggtelek Karst and the Slovak Karst
725
Hungary/Slovak Republic
N(i)
The Committee inscribed the nominated property on the basis of criterion (i), considering that the site is an outstanding example of on-going geological processes and a significant geomorphic feature. The karst formations and 112 caves contain the geologic history of the last several millions of years with an unusual combination of climatic effects and paleokarst features.
The Committee requested the Centre to write to the national authorities to recommended that control is needed over surface ...
The Virgin Komi Forests
719
Russian Federation
N(ii) (iii)
The Committee inscribed the nominated property on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iii), considering the site among the most important natural sites in the boreal forest region. The site has pristine boreal forests and is an important site for scientific research including climate change.
The Committee decided to inscribe an area of 3.28 million ha, which is fully protected as a National Park, Zapovednik and buffer zone. It requested the Centre to write to the national authorities to encourage them to upgrade the legal status ...
Sites: Virgin Komi Forests
Gough Island Wildlife Reserve
740
United Kingdom
N(iii) (iv)
The Committee noted that the British authorities had confirmed that the marine area (three nautical miles) is included in the nomination and the site is to be known as the "Gough Island wildlife Reserve", of which 6,500 ha is terrestrial area.
The Committee decided to inscribe the site under criteria (iii) and (iv) as one of the least disturbed major cool-temperate island ecosystems in the South Atlantic, one of the most important seabird colonies in the world and high scenic qualities with spectacular sea-cliffs. The ...
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
721
United States of America
N(i) (iii)
The Committee inscribed the nominated property on the basis of criteria (i) and (iii), considering that the site is of outstanding universal value with exceptional geological features, unique reef and rock formations, and containing major cave formations, gypsum chandelier speleothems, aragonite 'christmas trees' and hydromagnesite balloons.
The Committee also wished to encourage the authorities in their efforts to establish a cave protection zone to the north of the ...
Wildlife Reserve of Conkouati
693
Congo
The Committee did not inscribe the nominated property, as the site is considered of national importance and does not possess distinguishing features of universal value. It noted, furthermore, that the site has been degraded over the past ten years.
Odzala National Park (and annexes)
692
Congo
The Committee discussed whether or not the site is of only national importance and whether it possesses distinguishing features of outstanding universal value.
After a discussion with contributions from the Delegates of Niger, Benin, France and Germany, the Committee decided to defer consideration of the nominated site and to encourage the State Party to further investigate the site in relation to Ndoki National Park to the north as a potential site for nomination and agreed to invite the state Party to seek preparatory assistance for the ...
19 COM VIII.A.4
Extension of a Deferred Site: Galapagos Marine Reserve (Extension of the Galapagos Islands) (Ecuador)
Galapagos Marine Reserve (Extension of the Galapagos Islands)
1bis
Ecuador
The Committee recalled that it deferred the inscription of the Galapagos Marine Reserve at its eighteenth session due to serious threats to the site and in accordance with the IUCN recommendation and the wish of the Observer of Ecuador.
The Delegate from Ecuador requested that the marine extension of the site be deferred until the twentieth session of the committee. This was agreed by the Committee.
Sites: Galápagos Islands
19 COM VIII.A.5
Inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger: Yellowstone National Park (United States of America)
During its examination of monitoring reports, the committee noted threats to Yellowstone National Park (United States of America). On the basis of both ascertained dangers and potential dangers, the committee decided that Yellowstone National Park be placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Sites: Yellowstone National Park
Willandra Lakes Region
167 Rev.
Australia
N(i)C(iii)
The Committee recalled that the site was included on the World Heritage List as a mixed site in 1981. The Committee took note of the new boundary proposal and the information by the Delegate of Australia that the reduction in the size of the area would enhance the World Heritage values of the site.
The Committee, furthermore, having taken note of the fact that the new boundary will reduce the total area by about thirty percent, adopted the revised boundaries, as they better define the area containing the World Heritage values and ...
Sites: Willandra Lakes Region
VIII.5 After having examined at its nineteenth session in July 1995, 28 nominations for inscription of cultural properties and one for a mixed property, the Bureau recommended the inscription of 17 properties. Four nominations had been referred back and six were deferred. The Bureau had also decided to postpone the debate on one proposal for inscription until the session of the out-going Bureau.
VIII.6 In December 1995, eight nominations of cultural properties were examined by the Bureau, of which six were recommended for inscription. One nomination was not recommended and another ...
Lunenburg Old Town
741
Canada
C (iv) (v)
The Committee concluded that Lunenburg Old Town is an outstanding example of the planned European colonial settlement in North America, 1n terms both of it~ conception and its remarkable level of conservation.
The Committee decided to inscribe Lunenburg Old Town on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iv) and (v).
Sites: Old Town Lunenburg
Rapa Nui National Park
715
Chile
C(i) (iii) (v)
The Committee concluded that Rapa Nui National Park contains one of the most remarkable cultural phenomena in the world. An artistic and architectural tradition of great power and imagination was developed by a society that was completely isolated from external cultural influences of any kind for over a millennium. The substantial remains of this culture blend with their natural surroundings to create an unparalleled cultural landscape.
The Committee decided to inscribe the Rapa Nui National Park on the World Heritage List on the basis ...
Sites: Rapa Nui National Park
The Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox
742
Colombia
C(iv) (v)
The Committee concluded that the Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox is an outstanding example of a Spanish colonial settlement established on the banks of a major river and serving an important strategic and commercial role which has survived to a remarkable level of intactness to the present day.
The Committee decided to inscribe the Historic Centre of Santa Cruz de Mompox on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iv) and ...
National Archaeoloqical Park of Tierradentro
743
Colombia
C(iii)
The Committee concluded that the hypogea of the National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro are unique testimony to the everyday life, ritual, and burial customs of a developed and stable prehispanic society in the northern Andean region of South America.
The Committee decided to inscribe the National Archaeological Park of Tierradentro on the World Heritage List on the basis of criterion ...
San Agustin Archaeological Park
744
Colombia
C(iii)
The Committee concluded that the wealth of megalithic statuary from the archaeological sites in San Agustin Archaeological Park bears vivid witness to the artistic creativity and imagination of a prehispanic culture that flowered in the hostile tropical environment of the Northern Andes.
The Committee decided to inscribe the San Agustin Archaeological Park on the World Heritage List on the basis of criterion (iii).
19 COM VIII.C.1
Inscription: Kutná Hora: The Historica1 Town Centre with the Church of St. Barbara and the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec (Czech Republic)
Kutná Hora: The Historica1 Town Centre with the Church of St. Barbara and the Cathedral of Our Lady at Sedlec
732
Czech Republic
C(ii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe the site under criteria (ii) and (iv) as an outstanding example of the medieval town whose wealth and prosperity was based on its silver mines. The Church of Saint Barbara and other buildings were underlined as having particular architectural and artistic quality and as having had a profound influence on subsequent developments in the architecture of Central ...
Roskilde Cathedral
695Rev.
Denmark
C(ii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe this property under criteria (ii) and (iv) as Roskilde Cathedral is in many ways the most important ecclesiastical building built of red brick in northern Europe and had a profound influence on the spread of brick for this purpose over the whole region.
The Committee drew the attention of the Danish authorities to the interest of the canonical and episcopal quarter which surrounds the Roskilde Cathedral and encouraged them to take all necessary steps for the safeguarding of this exceptional ...
Sites: Roskilde Cathedral
The Historic Centre of Avignon
228Rev
France
C(i) (ii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe the site under criteria (i), (ii) and (iv), considering that this monumental ensemble in the historic centre of Avignon is an outstanding example of late medieval ecclesiastical, administrative and military architecture, which played a significant role in the development and diffusion of a characteristic form of culture over a wide area of Europe, at a time of critical importance for the development of lasting relationships between the Papacy and the civil powers.
It also decided to inscribe ...
The Historic Centre of Siena
717
Italy
C(i) (ii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe the property on the basis of criteria (i), (ii) and (iv), considering that Siena is an outstanding medieval city that has preserved its character and quality. The city is a work of dedication and imagination in which the buildings have been designed to fit into the overall planned urban fabric, and also to form a whole with the surrounding cultural landscape.
Sites: Historic Centre of Siena
The Historic Centre of Naples
726
Italy
C(ii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe the property on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv), considering that the site is of exceptional value. It is one of the most ancient cities in Europe, whose contemporary urban fabric preserves the elements of its long and eventful history. Its setting on the Bay of Naples gives it an outstanding universal value which has had a profound influence in many parts of Europe and beyond.
Sites: Historic Centre of Naples
Crespi d'Adda
730
Italy
C(iv) (v)
The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iv) and (v), considering that it is an exceptional example of a working village of Europe and North America, dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries, and reflecting the predominant philosophy of enlightened industrialists with respect to their employees. Although the evolution of economic and social conditions constituted an inevitable threat to the survival of Crespi d'Adda, its integrity is remarkable and it has partly conserved its industrial ...
Sites: Crespi d'Adda
Ferrara: city of the Renaissance
733
Italy
C(ii) (iv) (vi)
The Committee decided to inscribe the property on the basis of criteria (ii), (iv) and (vi) considering that the site is of outstanding universal value, being a Renaissance city, remarkably planned, which has retained its urban fabric virtually intact. The developments in town planning expressed in Ferrara were to have a profound influence on the development of urban design throughout the succeeding ...
The Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama
734
Japan
C(iv) (v)
The Committee decided to inscribe the site under criteria (iv) and (v) as the villages are outstanding examples of a traditional human settlement that is perfectly adapted to its environment. The Committee noted the successful adaptation to economic changes and that survival can only be assured through constant vigilance on both sides, the Government authorities and the inhabitants.
The Town of Luang Prabang
479Rev.
Lao People's Democratic Republic
C(ii) (iv) (v)
The Committee decided to inscribe this site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (ii), (iv) and (v). Luang Prabang represents, to an exceptional extent, the successful fusion of the traditional architectural and urban structures and those of the European colonial rulers of the 19th and 20th centuries. Its unique townscape is remarkably well preserved, illustrating a key stage in the blending of two distinct cultural ...
Sites: Town of Luang Prabang
Schokland and its surroundings
739
Netherlands
C(iii) (v)
The Committee decided to inscribe this site on the basis of criteria (iii) and (v), considering that Schokland and its surroundings preserve the last surviving evidence of a prehistoric and early historic society that had adapted to the precarious life of wetland settlements under the constant threat of temporary or permanent incursions by the sea. Schokland is included in the agricultural landscape created by the reclamation of the former Zuyder Zee, part of the never-ceasing struggle of the people of the Netherlands against ...
Sites: Schokland and Surroundings
The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras
722
Philippines
C(iii) (iv) (v)
The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the World Heritage List under criteria (iii), (iv) and (v), based on the joint evaluation by ICOMOS and IUCN. The rice terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are outstanding examples of living cultural landscapes. They illustrate the traditional techniques and a remarkable harmony between humankind and the natural environment.
The Committee also congratulated the Philippine authorities for having proposed this example of a cultural landscape, thereby ...
Sintra Cultural Landscape
723
Portugal
C(ii) (iv), (v)
The Committee considered that the site is of outstanding universal value as it represents a pioneering approach to Romantic landscaping which had an outstanding influence on developments elsewhere in Europe. It is a unique example of the cultural occupation of a specific location that has maintained its essential integrity as the representation of diverse successive cultures.
The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the basis of criteria (ii), (iv) and (v) and under the following name: The Cultural Landscape of ...
Sites: Cultural Landscape of Sintra
Sokkuram Grotto
736
Republic of Korea
C(i) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe this site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (i) and (iv) as a masterpiece of Far Eastern Buddhist art. The complex that it forms with Pulguksa Temple is an outstanding example of the religious architecture of the region and of the material expression of Buddhist belief.
19 COM VIII.C.1
Inscription: Haeinsa Temple Changgyong P'ango, the Depositories for the Koreana Woodblocks (Republic of Korea)
Haeinsa Temple Changgyong P'ango, the Depositories for the Koreana Woodblocks
737
Republic of Korea
C(iv) (vi)
The Committee decided to inscribe this site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria (iv) and (vi), in recognition that the Korean version of the Buddhist scriptures (Tripitaka Koreana) at the Haeinsa Temple is one of the most important and most complete corpus of Buddhist doctrinal texts in the world, and is also outstanding for the high aesthetic quality of its workmanship. The buildings in which the scriptures are housed are unique both in terms of their ...
Chongmyo Shrine
738
Republic of Korea
C(iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe this site on the World Heritage List on the basis of criterion (iv), as an outstanding example of the Confucian royal ancestral shrine, which has survived relatively intact since the 16th century, the importance of which is enhanced by the persistence there of an important element of the intangible cultural heritage in the form of traditional ritual practices and forms.
The Delegate of Japan congratulated the Government of the Republic Korea for the inscription of the three cultural properties on the World ...
Sites: Jongmyo Shrine
The Hanseatic Town of Visby
731
Sweden
C(iv) (v)
The Committee decided to inscribe this site on the basis of criteria (iv) and (v) considering its outstanding universal value, representing a unique example of a north European medieval walled town which preserves with remarkable completeness a townscape and assemblage of high-quality ancient buildings.
It also congratulated the Swedish authorities for the conservation programme undertaken over the past few years safeguarding the outer walls and preserving the authenticity of the ...
Sites: Hanseatic Town of Visby
The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh
728
United Kingdom
C(ii) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the basis of criteria (ii) and (iv) as it represents a remarkable blend of the two urban phenomena: the organic medieval growth and 18th and 19th century town planning.
The Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento
747
Uruguay
C(iv)
The Committee concluded that the historic quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento bears remarkable testimony in its layout and its buildings to the nature and objectives of European colonial settlement, in particular during the seminal period at the end of the 17th century.
The Committee decided to inscribe the Historic Quarter of the City of Colonia del Sacramento on the World Heritage List on the basis of criterion ...
19 COM IX.8
Report on the Decisions of the 10th General Assembly and of the 28th Session of the General Conference
IX.8 The Committee, having heard a brief explanation of these documents by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, took note of them without discussion.
19 COM IX.8
Report on the Decisions of the 10th General Assembly and of the 28th Session of the General Conference
IX.8 The Committee, having heard a brief explanation of these documents by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, took note of them without discussion.
19 COM IX.8
Report on the Decisions of the 10th General Assembly and of the 28th Session of the General Conference
IX.8 The Committee, having heard a brief explanation of these documents by the Director of the World Heritage Centre, took note of them without discussion.
X.1 The Committee examined the working document prepared by the Secretariat and recalled paragraph 122 of the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention reflecting previous 'discussions held at sessions of the Committee and its Bureau, which focused on:
- the concept of universal value and standards to be applied;- the interpretation of universal value by the advisory bodies;- the number of natural and cultural specialists present at sessions of the Committee and its Bureau;- priorities for granting international assistance.
X.2 The Committee ...
XX.1 Upon the request of the Delegate of Italy, the Committee decided to include in the provisional agenda of the twentieth session of the World Heritage Committee an item on how to assure, after each General Assembly of the States Parties, the concordance of the outgoing Bureau and the newly elected Committee.
XXI.1 Before proceeding to the examination and adoption of the draft report, the Chairperson, with the approval of the Committee, invited the Observer of Afghanistan to take the floor. In thanking the Committee for the emergency assistance granted by the Chairperson for the Minaret of Jam, he referred to the cultural properties of Afghanistan on the tentative list which continue to be threatened by war and illicit traffic. On behalf of his Government, he expressed his hope that these sites could one day be inscribed on the World Heritage List and appealed for international protection for ...
19 COM XI.A.1.3
Progress Report on the Implementation of the “Global Strategy and Thematic Studies”: Cultural Heritage – Global Strategy
XI.3 The Committee considered that in 1996 priority should continue to be given to African cultural heritage and a second subregional meeting would be held in Ethiopia concentrating on the Sudano-sahelian world and the Horn of Africa. The committee took note that in 1997, the cultural heritage of the Caribbean would be the subject of a subregional meeting.
19 COM XI.A.2.7
Progress Report on the Implementation of the “Global Strategy and Thematic Studies”: Cultural Heritage – Thematic Studies
XI.7 The Secretariat presented the regional thematic studies carried out in 1995 and the Committee took note of the detailed reports contained in information documents INF.8 and INF.9.
- "Regional Thematic Study Meeting on Asian Rice Culture and its Terrace Landscapes (Philippines, 28 March to 4 April 1995)- "Asia-Pacific Regional Workshop on Associative Cultural Landscapes" (Australia, 27 to 29 April 1995).
19 COM XI.B.10
Progress Report on the Implementation of the “Global Strategy and Thematic Studies”: Natural Heritage
XI.10 The Committee took note of the action taken by both the Secretariat and IUCN concerning fossil and geological heritage within an overall Global Strategy for natural heritage. The committee furthermore took note of a "World Heritage session" foreseen during the International Geological Congress to be held in Beijing in 1996. Several delegates noted the importance of linking the Global Strategy for natural and cultural heritage.
XII.1 The Centre presented Document WHC-95/CONF.203/9 in which section A focused on Natural Heritage and section B focused on Cultural Heritage sites.
A. Natural Heritage
XII.2 An Information Document "Strategy for Training in the Field of Natural Heritage" WHC-95/CONF.203/INF.11A was tabled. The session began with a background statement referring to state Party responsibilities in Article 5 (e) of the Convention and to the assistance available for training in Article 22 (c). Training is defined as a broadly encompassing term that includes education, training and promotion.
XII.3 The ...
Upon considering the financial accounts as at 31 October 1995 and the cash flow situation, the Committee decided to increase the budgetary allocation for international assistance to US$ 1,500,000 with the following breakdown:
* US$ 175,000 for preparatory assistance;
* US$ 685,000 for technical cooperation, 1/3 for natural and 2/3 for cultural heritage;
* US$ 550,000 for training, half for natural and half for cultural heritage.
The Centre informed the Committee that out of the 51 requests, 14 cases (3 for natural heritage and 11 for cultural heritage) were for sums above US$ 30,000, ...
A.1.1 Technical cooperation
Komodo National Park (Indonesia) (US$ 64,500 requested) The Committee reviewed the request for the purchase of a fibreglass catamaran boat and additional accessories for the GIS system for a total of US$ 64,500. However, in the light of the amount of funds already provided for the purchase of boats for the site, the Committee approved this project for a reduced amount of US$ 30,000, under the condition that the Indonesian authorities find an additional US$ 30,000 from other sources for its purchase. It furthermore suggested that the boat be insured by the ...
B.1.1 Technical cooperation
Preparation of Guidelines for Risk preparedness for World Heritage sites (request presented by ICOMOS) (US$ 30,000 requested) The Committee approved the request of US$ 30,000 for the preparation and publication of the "Guidelines for Risk Preparedness for World Cultural Heritage sites" in 1,000 copies. IUCN should be associated. US$ 15,000 would be provided to ICOMOS from the 1996 budget and the remaining amount would be included in the 1997 budget.
Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos (Bolivia) (US$ 30,000 requested) The Committee approved an amount of US$ ...
While noting that the authority for approving international assistance requests under US$ 30,000 is delegated to the Bureau and those under US$ 20,000 to the Chairperson, the Committee also approved the following training requests discussed during the session:
C.1 Training (Cultural Heritage)
Master Programme in Heritage Conservation (Request submitted by Argentina) (US$ 20,000)The Committee approved the requested amount of US$ 20,000 to finance the participation of six international experts in a series of six workshops to be organized in 1996 by the International Centre for Heritage ...
19 COM XV.1-2
Examination of the World Heritage Fund, and Approval of the Budget for 1996 and Presentation of a Provisional Budget for 1997
XV.1 The Committee approved the report of the Working Group on the World Heritage Fund, and after considerable discussion the 1996 budget was established at US$ 3,000,000. Suggested revisions to the budget format and financial statement were noted and the Centre was requested to continue its efforts to develop more transparency in the presentations. The Committee decided to replenish the Emergency Reserve Fund to US$ 500,000 at 1 January 1996 and 1 January 1997. The Committee, at its closing session, took note of an indicative budget for Chapters 11 to V for 1997 amounting to ...
XVI.6 The adopted text reads as follows:
"Working methods of the World Heritage Committee
1. Following discussions at its meeting in July 1995 the Bureau agreed that the matter of improving the working methods of the Committee should be considered by the Committee at its nineteenth session. The growing number of items on the agenda was considered to require a more rational use of the time available to the Committee.
2. It is recognised that any change to the working methods of the Committee are likely to also impact on the operations of the Bureau, the World Heritage Centre and the ...
XVII.1 The Secretariat introduced the Working Document and recalled that the Committee at its eighteenth session decided that the following specific revisions of the Operational Guidelines should be examined by the Bureau at its nineteenth session.
A. Chapter I, Section C of the operational Guidelines: CRITERIA FOR THE INCLUSION OF CULTURAL PROPERTIES IN THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST (DEFINITION OF AND CRITERIA FOR CULTURAL PROPERTIES)
Based upon the results of four regional and thematic expert meetings that were held in 1994 and 1995 on 'Heritage Canals' (Canada, 15-19 September 1994), ...
19 COM XVIII.1-2
Date and Place of the Twentieth Session of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee
XVIII.1 The Committee decided that the twentieth session of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee would be held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from 24 to 29 June 1996, pending confirmation of the availability of UNESCO conference facilities for those dates.
XVIII.2 The Provisional Agenda for the twentieth session of the Bureau as outlined in Document WHC-95/CONF.203/15Rev. was adopted without amendment and is attached as Annex IV.
19 COM XIX.1-4
Date and Place of the Twentieth Session of the World Heritage Committee (December 1996)
XIX.1 The Director of the World Heritage Centre informed the Committee that the Governments of Italy and Mexico have both officially expressed their readiness to host the Committee in 1996, while the Government of Finland would like to host such a meeting in 1998.
XIX.2 The Delegate of Italy thereupon reiterated his Government's invitation to the Committee, indicating however that should the Committee hold its next meeting in Mexico, the 1997 session could possibly be held in Naples. The Delegate of Italy will inform the World Heritage Centre as soon as possible of the agreement of the ...
19 EXT.BUR IV.A.1.1
Examination of requests for International Assistance - Natural Heritage - Requests recommended by the Bureau for approval by the Committee - Technical Cooperation
Komodo National Park (Indonesia) (US$ 64,500 requested)
The Bureau reviewed the request for the purchase of a fibreglass catamaran boat and additional accessories for the GIS system for a total of US$ 64,500. However, in the light of the amount of funds already provided for the purchase of boats for the site, the Bureau recommended the Committee to approve the above project for a reduced amount of US$ 30,000, under the condition that the Indonesian authorities find an additional US$ 30,000 from other sources for its purchase. It furthermore suggested that the boat be insured by the ...
19 EXT.BUR IV.A.1.2
Examination of requests for International Assistance - Natural Heritage - Requests recommended by the Bureau for approval by the Committee - Training
College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka (Tanzania) (US$ 30,000 requested)
The Bureau recommended the Committee to approve an amount of US$ 30,000 for three students to attend the one-year course (1996/97) at the College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka, Tanzania, requesting the Centre to contact the Principal of the School to provide a detailed financial breakdown for each of the students.
19 EXT.BUR IV.B.1.1
Examination of requests for International Assistance - Cultural Heritage - Requests recommended by the Bureau for approval by the Committee - Technical Cooperation
Preparation of Guidelines for Risk Preparedness for World Heritage Sites (request presented by ICOMOS) (US$ 30,000 requested)
The Bureau recommended that the Committee approve the request of US$ 30,000 for the preparation and publication of the "Guidelines for Risk Preparedness for World Cultural Heritage Sites" in 1,000 copies. IUCN should be associated. US$ 15,000 should be provided to ICOMOS from the 1996 budget and the remaining amount would be included in the 1997 budget.
Jesuit Missions of the Chiquitos (Bolivia) (US$ 30,000 requested)
The Bureau recommended that the Committee ...
19 EXT.BUR IV.B.1.2
Examination of requests for International Assistance - Cultural Heritage - Requests recommended by the Bureau for approval by the Committee - Training
Inter-regional Postgraduate course in the Conservation of Monuments and the Rehabilitation of Historical cities (CECRE) (Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, March-December 1996): Request for international professors submitted by Brazil (US$ 45,000 requested)
The Bureau recommended the Committee to approve an amount of US$ 30,000 for six international professors.
Inter-regional Postgraduate course in the Conservation of Monuments and the Rehabilitation of Historical Cities (CECRE) (Salvador de Bahia, Brazil, March-December 1996): Request for fellowships for ten international students submitted by ...
19 EXT.BUR IV.B.2.1
Examination of requests for International Assistance - Cultural Heritage - Requests not recommended by the Bureau - Technical Cooperation
Historical centre of Mompox (Colombia) (US$ 30,000 requested)
The Bureau recommended that the State Party revise the request for a smaller amount and resubmit it to the Chairperson of the Committee.
Decision: 19 EXT.COM 2
The World Heritage Committee,
Having examined Document WHC/23/19EXT.COM/2,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
19 EXT.COM 3
DATE AND PLACE OF THE 46TH SESSION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE AND ELECTION OF THE BUREAU
Decision: 19 EXT.COM 3
The World Heritage Committee,
Recalling its Decision 45 COM 17, adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
Decides that its 46th session will take place in India tentatively in July 2024, in accordance with Rule 4.1 of the Rules of Procedure[1];
Elects in accordance with Rule 13.1 of the Rules of Procedure, its Bureau with the following composition:
Chairperson: E. Mr Vishal V. Sharma (India),
Vice-Chairpersons: Bulgaria, Greece, Kenya, Qatar, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,
Rapporteur: Mr Martin Ouaklani (Belgium),
whose mandates will ...
No Resolution.
The General Assembly,
Elects H.E. Mr. Karunaratne HANGAWATTE (Sri Lanka) as Chairperson of the 19th General Assembly,
Elects Mr. Hassan AL-LAWATI (Oman) as Rapporteur of the 19th General Assembly,
Elects Switzerland and Zimbabwe as Vice-Chairpersons of the 19th General Assembly.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-13/19.GA/2A,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
19 GA 2B
Adoption of the Timetable of the 19th General Assembly and of the Timetable for the elections to the World Heritage Committee
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-13/19.GA/2B,
Adopts the timetable of its 19th session as included in the above-mentioned document.
The General Assembly,
Elects Jamaica (State Party without properties on the World Heritage List) as member of the World Heritage Committee;
Elects the following eleven States Parties Croatia, Finland, Kazakhstan, Korea (Republic of), Lebanon, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Turkey and Viet Nam, as members of the World Heritage Committee.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-13/19.GA/4,
Recalling the amendments to Draft Resolution 19 GA 4 proposed by Brazil and other States and the debates held at the 19th General Assembly,
Also recalling its Resolution 18 GA 8 and the World Heritage Committee’s decision 35 COM 12B encouraging States Parties members of the Committee not to submit nominations during their mandate,
Further recalling Article 9.3 of the World Heritage Convention which stipulates that “States members of the Committee shall choose as their representatives persons qualified in the field of ...
The General Assembly,
Takes note of the report of the Rapporteur of the 18th session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention (UNESCO, 2011).
19 GA 6
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 (2012-2013).
19 GA 7
Examination of the statement of accounts of the World Heritage Fund, including the status of the contributions of States Parties
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-13/19.GA/7 and WHC-13/19.GA/INF.7,
Having in particular examined the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for the financial period ended 31 December 2011 approved by the Senior Accountant of the UNESCO Bureau of Financial Management,
Takes note of the accounts of the World Heritage Fund for 2012-2013, established by the UNESCO Bureau of Financial Management;
Also takes note of the Chart representing the reductions of activities as requested in Decision 37 COM 15.I taken by the World Heritage Committee at its 37th session;
Approves ...
19 GA 8
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,
Having examined Documents WHC-13/19.GA/8, WHC-13/19.GA/INF.8 and WHC-13/19.GA/INF.8.A,
Recalling 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 2014-2015;
Notes the status of compulsory and voluntary contributions to the World Heritage ...
19 GA 9
Global Strategy for a representative, balanced and credible World Heritage List: Report on the Follow-up to Resolution 18 GA 8
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-13/19.GA/9,
Recalling Decisions 35 COM 9A and 36 COM 9A adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th (UNESCO, 2011) and 36th (Saint Petersburg, 2012) sessions respectively and Resolution 18 GA 8 of the 18th session of the General Assembly (UNESCO, 2011),
Appreciates the work of the open-ended working group on the Implementation Plan for the recommendations of the External Auditor on the Global Strategy and the PACT Initiative carried out in 2012 and 2013 and endorses its recommendations;
Notes the implementation of a number ...
19 GA 10
Future of the World Heritage Convention Outcomes and Progress in the implementation on the Strategic Action Plan, including a Report on the 40th anniversary celebrations
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-13/19.GA/10,
Recalling Resolutions 17 GA 9 and 18 GA 11 adopted at the 17th (UNESCO, 2009) and 18th sessions (UNESCO, 2011) of the General Assembly of States Parties respectively, and the adoption of the Strategic Action Plan and Vision by the 18th General Assembly of States Parties (UNESCO, 2011);
Welcomes the progress made in the Implementation Plan of the Strategic Action Plan in particular with regards to links between the Draft Implementation Plan and the follow-up to Resolution 18 GA 8 of the General Assembly of States Parties ...
19 GA 11
Summary and Follow-up of the Director-General’s meeting on “The World Heritage Convention: Thinking Ahead” (UNESCO HQs, 2-3 October 2012)
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-13/19.GA/11 and WHC-13/19.GA/INF.11,
Recalling Decision 37 COM 5C of the World Heritage Committee taken at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
Takes note of the summary of the Director General’s meeting on “The World Heritage Convention: Thinking Ahead” (UNESCO HQs, 2-3 October 2012) and of the presentations made in this regard;
Also notes the efforts undertaken in the framework of the implementation plans of the follow-up to the UNESCO External Auditor Report and the Strategic Action Plan 2012-2022 and urges the further ...
No Resolution.
1 EXT.GA 1B
Election of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons and Rapporteur of the 1st extraordinary session of the General Assembly
The General Assembly,
Elects Ms Véra Lacoeuilhe (Saint Lucia) as Chairperson of the 1st extraordinary session of the General Assembly;
Elects Dr James Wakibara (United Republic of Tanzania) as Rapporteur of the 1st extraordinary session of the General Assembly;
Elects Nepal and Palestine as Vice-Chairpersons of the 1st extraordinary session of the General Assembly.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-14/1 EXT.GA/2A,
Adopts the Agenda included in the above-mentioned Document.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Document WHC-14/1 EXT.GA/2B,
Adopts the Timetable as included in the above-mentioned document.
The General Assembly,
Having examined Documents WHC-14/1EXT.GA/3 and WHC-14/1EXT.GA/INF.3,
Recalling Resolution 19 GA 4 adopted at its 19th session (UNESCO, 2013),
Thanking H.E. Ambassador Jean-Frédéric Jauslin (Switzerland) and the open-ended Working Group for the revision of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, for the work accomplished,
Decides to amend its Rules of Procedure as follows (amendments are in strikethrough and in bold):
Rule 13 - Procedures for the presentation of candidatures to the World Heritage ...
No Resolution
The Bureau recalled that the World Heritage Committee at its nineteenth session examined a monitoring report prepared by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention. This report indicated that the new water control structure allowed for an inflow of water on a small scale and that a colony of the Dalmatian Pelican had been re-established. The report concluded, however, that the integrity of the site had not yet been adequately restored. The Committee, therefore, decided to retain the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger and requested the Bulgarian authorities to prepare a status ...
Sites: Srebarna Nature Reserve
Following an endorsement by the last session of the World Heritage Committee, a multinational rapid assessment mission was organized by the Centre and the Croatian authorities from 5 to 9 May 1996. The mission reviewed the state of conservation of the site, identified impact and damages caused by armed conflict to park facilities infrastructure, reviewed the legislative, administrative and management frameworks, assessed the socioeconomic situation of the site with regard to tourism potential and proposed summary recommendations. The full report of the mission was presented to the Bureau ...
Sites: Plitvice Lakes National Park
The Bureau recalled that the site was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 due to threats from poachers, boundary encroachment and the adverse impacts of unplanned road construction. It furthermore recalled that at its last session, the World Heritage Committee called for an Environmental Impact Assessment of the road construction in the Park and requested information from INEFAN, the National Park administration, on road modifications, a land tenure study and steps for an updated management plan. Meanwhile, a copy of the land tenure study which was concluded in March of ...
Sites: Sangay National Park
The Bureau recalled that the site was included on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 because of negative impacts from a proposed iron-ore mining project and threats due to the arrival of a large number of refugees from neighbouring countries.
The Bureau took note of a Round Table on Mount Nimba which was held in Conakry (Guinea) on 17 and 18 April 1996 organized by the Ministry for Energy and Environment in collaboration with the "Mission Française de Cooperation et d'Action Culturelle". The Round Table included representatives of the following donor countries and ...
The Bureau recalled that the site was included in the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 and that at the nineteenth session of the Committee the Observer of India invited members of the World Heritage Committee and the Director of the Centre to visit New Delhi, Assam and Manas. IUCN informed the Bureau that a member of the Rhino Specialist Group has recently visited the site and a full report will be available at the next session of the Bureau. The scheduling of a mission to the site is under discussion.
In the absence of any precise information, uncertainties remain concerning the ...
Sites: Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
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 that a peace agreement was signed on 9 October 1994. In 1995 a dialogue was established between the parties, which has paved the way for a return to a normal situation and may allow for a detailed evaluation of the state of conservation of the site as well as the development of an action programme for its recovery.
The Bureau was informed that an IUCN project of 1 Million US$ is underway at the site to assist in re-establishing the management regime ...
The Bureau recalled that the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1993 and that the World Heritage Committee at its last session examined a detailed monitoring report, presented by the State Party, which outlined the longterm restoration work necessary to restore the balance of the Everglades ecosystem. The State Party presented a preliminary monitoring report dated May 1996 outlining the Government's efforts to protect the site. The report acknowledges that despite significant progress made (acquisition of additional land, improved ecological indicators), ...
Sites: Everglades National Park
The Bureau recalled that, at its nineteenth session, the World Heritage Committee decided that, on the basis of both ascertained dangers and potential threats, Yellowstone National Park be inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger and that the State Party should provide the Committee with reports on the results of the Environmental Impact Statement and mitigating actions. In such a report dated May 1996, the State Party advised the Centre about the different remedial actions taken. This includes long-term control programmes to counter the non-native lake trout introduction, public ...
Sites: Yellowstone National Park
The Bureau recalled that Virunga National Park was included on the List of World Heritage in Danger in December 1994, due to the tragic events in Rwanda and the subsequent massive influx of refugees from that country. Virunga National Park, situated on the border between Rwanda and Uganda, has been destabilized by the uncontrolled arrival of refugees, causing deforestation and poaching within its boundaries.
The Centre wrote to the authorities requesting that the World Heritage Committee be informed about any action to be undertaken to stop poaching operations within the site and to ...
Sites: Virunga National Park
The Bureau recalled that the World Heritage Committee at its nineteenth session discussed a report presented by IUCN, which underlined the infrastructural developments in the "Bow Corridor" and their impact on the integrity of the site. IUCN advised the Centre that it had submitted a brief to the Task Force which is due to report in September 1996.
The Bureau recommended that the Bureau at its twentieth extraordinary session in November 1996 examines the Task Force report.
The Bureau considered the report of the mission led by the Chairman of the World Heritage Committee (1-11 June 1996) to examine the situation of the Galapagos Islands and to formulate recommendations to improve the situation. The Bureau commended the Ecuador Government for its support to that mission and fully endorsed the recommendations contained in the report (see INF.12).
The Bureau concluded that serious problems exist, such that immediate remedial actions are essential to safeguard the values of the World Heritage site and the surrounding marine areas, while recognizing the ...
Sites: Galápagos Islands
The Centre and IUCN have received a report on a Field Study on the flora and fauna of the Simen Mountains prepared by the University of Berne (Switzerland). The report indicates a deterioration of the Walia ibex population and that other large mammals (such as bushbuck and bushpig) have become extremely rare. In addition, IUCN stressed the serious situation at the ite, including the loss of biodiversity, the encroachment at the borders of the site, and the impacts of the road construction. An Action Plan for the site was proposed by the University of Berne. The report of the University of ...
Sites: Simien National Park
The Bureau recalled the detailed monitoring report prepared by an IUCN mission to the site in November 1995. This report noted the threats to the site, including agricultural intrusion and the implementation of land reform programmes. IUCN informed the Bureau that the Minister of Environment is in agreement with the findings. A number of follow-up actions, including the inscription of the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger, was recommended. The Centre received a brief state of conservation report dated 30 April 1996 from the Honduran Minister of Environment, which indicated the ...
The Bureau requested the Centre to write a letter of appreciation to the Indonesian authorities expressing satisfaction on the actions taken and commending them for the detailed state of conservation report received for Komodo National Park from the Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation of the Ministry of Forestry dated February 1996.
Sites: Komodo National Park
The Bureau urged the State Party to keep the Committee informed about the proposed expansion of the industrial salt production project and to ensure the integrity of the site.
The Delegate of Mexico informed the Bureau that in July 1994 the ESSA Salt Mining Company submitted to the National Institute of Ecology an environmental impact study proposal to extend its installations. This proposal was refused by the National Institute of Ecology (INE) in February 1995. On 23 June 1995 the ESSA Company expressed interest in submitting a new study for evaluation by the INE.
In 26 February 1996, ...
The Centre received a progress report, dated March 1996, on the ongoing planning activities for the site and a schedule of activities. IUCN noted several recent developments in the Sanctuary that are of concern: (1) the poaching of thirteen Oryx and (2) the construction of a reverse osmosis plant which has resulted in significant damage to the desert habitat. The Bureau requested the Centre to contact the Omani authorities encouraging them to provide the definition of the final boundaries of the site and expressing concern over the poaching and construction activities.
The Bureau reiterated the request issued by the World Heritage Committee that a cultural resources inventory of the site be carried out and clarifications be provided on the road developments which may threaten the integrity of the site.
Sites: Huascarán National Park
The Bureau reiterated the request issued by the World Heritage Committee to the authorities to provide a map of the revised boundaries of the site and encouraged the State Party to finalize new legislation and to prepare a management plan.
Sites: Škocjan Caves
The Bureau was informed that the report of IUCN will be presented to the twentieth extraordinary session of the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee and examined at that time.
Sites: Ichkeul National Park
The Bureau reiterated the request issued by the World Heritage Committee for information on the potential threats and the measures being taken to ensure that they are minimized.
In April 1996, the Centre and IUCN received information on the poaching of two Northern white rhinos (one female, one male adult). A joint WWF-Frankfurt Zoological Society-IUCN mission to the site was carried out recently and the findings will be transmitted to twentieth extraordinary session of the Bureau in November 1996.
Given the gravity of the situation, notably concerning poaching of the white rhino population in Garamba National Park, the Bureau recommended to the Committee inscription of this site on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Bureau requested the Secretariat to ...
Sites: Garamba National Park
The Bureau took note of the report provided by IUCN on a "Sustainable Development Workshop" concerning the joint Zambia/Zimbabwe Strategic Environmental Assessment of Tourism Development in the Victoria. Falls Area which was held from 25 to 29 March 1996 in Livingstone. The Bureau was informed that a joint management plan is under preparation and that the first draft has been completed.
The Bureau requested the Centre to write a letter commending both Governments for the actions undertaken, and encourage them to complete the management plan of the site, which would give focus to the ...
The Bureau recalled previously discussed reports received on logging operations in adjacent areas to the site and was informed that discussions are now underway with Tasmania to develop a methodology for the proposed World Heritage assessments, involving both natural and cultural values.
The Bureau requested the Centre to write a letter to commend the State Party for its efforts to carry out the preliminary assessment of World Heritage values in areas adjacent to the World Heritage site. It requested the Australian authorities to provide a full report once the negotiations and assessment ...
Sites: Tasmanian Wilderness
The Bureau was informed of the decision of the National Institute for Culture to suspend the plans to construct two suspended cable car systems to facilitate access to the ruins of Machu Picchu. The Bureau suggested that the alternative means of access to Machu Picchu be studied in the context of integral planning for the whole of the area of the Sanctuary and that an assessment of its impact be undertaken. The Bureau requested the authorities of Peru to inform the Committee on the progress made in the development of an integral management mechanism as well as on the plans for the access ...
Upon hearing the report provided by the Secretariat regarding the hotel construction projects and discussions surrounding a query from a member of the Bureau on the "son et lumière" at Angkor Wat, the Bureau adopted the following decision:
The Bureau requested the Chairperson of the Committee to write to H.E. Mr Vann Molyvann, expressing on behalf of the Committee, his appreciation for the commitment of the Royal Government of Cambodia to the World Heritage Convention and to request the Government to keep the World Heritage Committee informed on developments that may be of concern to the ...
Sites: Angkor
The Bureau took note that an expert mission is scheduled for September 1996 and requested the Secretariat to report on the outcome of this mission to the World Heritage Committee at its twentieth session.
Sites: Bahla Fort
The Bureau requested the Polish authorities to undertake the appropriate measures for the prompt implementation of the conservation project which involves the installation of dehumidifying equipment and requested to be kept informed of the progress made in this respect.
The Bureau commended the Albanian authorities for their efforts. In addition, it recommended that the Committee be kept informed about the on-going activities.
Sites: Butrint
The Bureau was pleased to note that the Secretary for Culture of Bolivia shares the concerns about the potential degradation of the Cerro Rico and that it is collaborating with the regional authorities in the preparation of an ordinance for the use of the Cerro Rico. It requested the Secretary for Culture to keep the Committee informed on the progress made in this respect.
Sites: City of Potosí
The Bureau took note of the report on missions undertaken in December 1995 and January 1996 by the Chairman of the Committee, UNESCO and ICOMOS regarding proposed construction developments endangering the cultural landscape of this World Heritage site.
The Representative of ICOMOS informed the Bureau that the City of Potsdam had invited ICOMOS to advise on the possible extension of the site as well as on its management.
The Bureau expressed its serious concern about urban development plans in Potsdam, particularly the "Potsdam Centre" project, that could directly or indirectly affect ...
The Bureau took note of the report on the joint UNESCO - ICOMOS mission to examine the impact of housing construction that might have an impact on the Roman Amphitheater in Trier. It requested the German authorities to re-consider the construction of buildings that would be visible from the Amphitheater and to involve ICOMOS in the drawing up of the terms of reference for an architectural competition for the area immediately north of the theater. The Bureau requested that a full report of the mission as well as on the progress made in undertaking the architectural competition be presented ...
The Bureau thanked the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board (GMMB) for having provided accurate information on the state of conservation of this site and congratulated the Government of Ghana for their efforts in mobilizing international assistance for the establishment of a Castles Maintenance Trust Fund. It commended the current major conservation programme in Elmina and Cape Coast which should serve as a model for the conservation of the Castle of Osu, Accra. The Bureau recommended that protective action be taken to identify the buffer zones and protect the other coastal forts most at ...
The Bureau, concerned by the inadequate level of resources available for the conservation of the fragile Ashanti Traditional Buildings recommended that the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, in cooperation with the Centre, prepare comprehensive conservation and site management plans within the context of envisaged regional integrated development programmes. It requested the Ghana authorities to inform the World Heritage Committee before its twenty-first session at the latest, on the initiatives taken in this matter.
Sites: Asante Traditional Buildings
After having taken note of the report of the Secretariat concerning several problems threatening the conservation of Petra, the Bureau recommended that the authorities of the Royal Kingdom of Jordan undertake the measures necessary to ensure the long-term conservation of the World Heritage site of Petra, and more particularly that it:
- halt all projects for the construction of new tourist roads, and carefully evaluate the impacts of the road-widening project from Wadi Musa to Taybeth;
- carefully evaluate the location of the water purification station;
- prolong the ...
Sites: Petra
The Bureau took note with satisfaction of the information provided by the Delegate of Lebanon, namely that the road construction project passing behind the site had been definitely abandoned following a Council of Ministers decree, and that the water seepage problems in the underground passages was being treated.them to also undertake emergency conservation measures to halt the degradation of the inner north-east angle of the Temple of Bacchus, protect the visitors and foresee the necessary conservation and restoration measures.
Sites: Baalbek
The Bureau took note with satisfaction of the information provided by the Delegate of Lebanon, namely that the project to extend the northern part of the port had been completely abandoned following a Council of Ministers decree and that a joint project of the Ministry of Urbanism and the General Directorate of Antiquities was being implemented to remove the unsightly constructions from the Roman aqueduct.
The Bureau thanked the Lebanese authorities for the efforts undertaken for the conservation of Tyr. It recommended them to take all legal and financial measures to preserve the ...
Sites: Tyre
The Bureau commended the Lithuanian authorities for their efforts, and encouraged them to pursue the promising revitalisation programme for the Historic Centre of Vilnius.
Sites: Vilnius Historic Centre
After having been informed by the Secretariat of the measures undertaken by the Minister of Cultural Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco to ensure the safeguarding of the Medina of Fez against the threatening automobile circulation project, the Bureau expressed its warm thanks to the national authorities of Morocco and to their Cultural Heritage Directorate, and recommended that they continue to be vigilant with regard to any new project of this kind, and that economic development projects envisaged with assistance from The World Bank for the rehabilitation of the Medina continue to be ...
Sites: Medina of Fez
The Bureau took note of information provided by the Secretariat regarding projects in the historical city of Cusco that could have a negative impact on the World Heritage values of the site. It invited the authorities to establish appropriate planning mechanisms for the historical city of Cusco and to inform the Committee through its Secretariat, in conformity with Paragraph 56 of the Operational Guidelines, of major restorations or new constructions which may affect the World Heritage value of the property.
Sites: City of Cuzco
The Bureau commended the Government of Poland on halting the construction works in the immediate vicinity of the Auschwitz concentration camp. It urged the authorities to devise a plan for the preservation of the site and its immediate surroundings and to keep the Committee informed on this matter.
The Bureau thanked the Antiquities Unit of Tanzania for having provided the state of conservation report. Since it is obvious that the site lacks proper documentation and a management plan, the Bureau recommended that a management plan be prepared by the Antiquities Unit of the Republic of Tanzania.
The Bureau expressed to the authorities of the Syrian Arab Republic its grave concern with regard to the serious damage sustained to the authenticity of this exceptional monument, the Omeyyades Mosque through the inordinate use of reinforced concrete, plaster and marble, and by the demolition and reconstruction work carried out without sufficient scientific studies and without taking into account international standards for authenticity and integrity. It recalled Articles 4 and 5 of the World Heritage Convention ratified by the Syrian Arab Republic on 13 August 1975, whereby States ...
Sites: Ancient City of Damascus
The Bureau recalled that the situation regarding the proposed airport extension in the vicinity of the Taos Pueblo site had been discussed by the Committee and the Bureau over the last several years.
The Bureau was informed that a preliminary monitoring report from the United States National Park Service indicated that no agreement had been reached as of yet between the Federal Aviation Administration, the Taos Pueblo and the National Park Service on the definition of the geographic area of potential impacts and on the contents of the Environmental Impact Statement. As to the ...
Sites: Taos Pueblo
The Bureau informed the Yemeni authorities of its concern with regard to the work undertaken by local donors at the Grand Mosque, part of the World Heritage site of the Historic Town of Zabid, and which appears to be causing serious damage to the authenticity and integrity of the monument.
It drew their attention to Paragraphs 4 and 5 of the World Heritage Convention whereby States Parties undertake to ensure the protection and the conservation of their heritage, and that conservation must be carried out in accordance with international standards, such as the Charter of Venice, in order ...
Sites: Historic Town of Zabid
Requests approved by the Bureau
Conservation Strategy and Preparation of a Management Plan for the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras)
In the light of the state of conservation report presented on this site, the Bureau approved an amount of US$ 30,000 for theelaboration of a management plan for the Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras) subject to the submission of a detailed budget outline for this request.
Requests not approved by the Bureau
Architectural Design of the Interpretation Centre at the Galapagos National Park (Ecuador) (US$ 25,900)The Bureau recalled the recent ...
Preparation of Interpretation Materials for the Galapagos National Park (Ecuador) (US$29, 900)
The Bureau recalled that the total amount for promotion has already been fully committed and that no further funds are available.
Sites: Galápagos Islands
The Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn
786
Austria
C(i) (iv)
The Committee decided to inscribe the nominated property as an ensemble on the basis of cultural criteria (i) and (iv) considering that the site is of outstanding universal value being an especially well preserved example of the Baroque princely residential ensemble, which constitutes an outstanding example of a Gesamtkunstwerk. The Palace and Gardens are exceptional by virtue of the evidence that they preserve of modifications over several centuries that vividly illustrate the tastes, interests and aspirations of ...
II.1 The Chairperson opened the session and presented the documents relating to the adoption of the agenda (Working Documents WHC-96/CONF.201/2 and WHC-96/CONF.201/3) During discussions several States Parties expressed the wish to hold all debates in plenary sessions.
II.2 Following the proposal of the Chairperson and in order to respond to the requirements of the agenda and those of the States Parties, the Committee approved the agenda with the following modifications:
- Monday, 2 December and Wednesday, 4 December, from 17.00 to 18.00: Examination of the World Heritage Fund and Budget ...
III.1 As proposed by the Delegate of Australia, and endorsed by the Delegates of Germany, Benin, Canada, China, Cuba, France, Japan, Lebanon and Niger, Ms Maria-Teresa Franco (Mexico) was elected by acclamation as Chairperson of the Committee. The following members of the Committee were elected as Vice-Chairpersons by acclamation: Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan and Morocco, and Mr Lambert Messan (Niger) as Rapporteur.
20 COM VII.A.1-5
State of Conservation - Report and Draft Resolutions for Submission to the GA and GC
A. REPORT AND DRAFT RESOLUTIONS FOR SUBMISSION TO THE ELEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF STATES PARTIES AND THE 29TH GENERAL CONFERENCE OF UNESCO
VII.1 The Secretariat introduced the working document (WHC-96/CONF.201/6A)on this agenda item, emphasizing that, following the discussions during the nineteenth session of the World Heritage Committee, the matter of monitoring and reporting should be brought to the attention of both the Eleventh General Assembly of States Parties and the 29th General Conference of UNESCO.
VII.2 As to the Eleventh General Assembly, it was noted that the Committee at ...
20 COM VII.B.6-12
State of Conservation - Revision of the Nomination Form and Format for SOC Reports
B. REVISION OF THE NOMINATION FORM AND FORMAT FOR WORLD HERITAGE STATE OF CONSERVATION REPORTS
VII.6 The Secretariat informed the Committee that, as requested by the Committee at its nineteenth session, it had circulated the proposed revised nomination form and format for World Heritage state of conservation reports to all States Parties and that comments had been received from thirteen States Parties as well as from the Nordic World Heritage Office.
Nomination form
VII.7 The Secretariat summarized the replies received from the States Parties and from ICOMOS and submitted a revised ...
VII.17 Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Guinea/Cote d'Ivoire)
The site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 because of negative impacts from a proposed iron-ore mining project and threats due to the arrival of a large number of refugees from neighbouring countries.
The Ministry for Energy and Environment, in collaboration with the "Mission Francaise de Cooperation et d'Action Culturelle", organized a Round Table on Mount Nimba which was held in Conakry (Guinea) on 17 and 18 April 1996 with participation from the Secretariat. The Round Table included ...
VII.18 Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (India)
The Committee recalled that the site was included in the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992. At the nineteenth session of the Committee, the Observer of India indicated that her Government was ready to welcome a mission by members of the World Heritage Committee and the Director of the Centre to New Delhi, Assam and Manas. In her recent letters, the Ambassador of India to UNESCO reiterated this information and advised that an updated state of conservation report would be available in due course; the latter has not been received to date. The ...
Sites: Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
VII.19 Air-et-Tenere Reserve (Niger)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1992 at the request of Niger as it was affected by civil disturbances. The Committee recalled that a peace agreement was signed on 20 April 1995 and that it had encouraged the authorities to strengthen their efforts to safeguard the site. In 1995 the dialogue established between the Parties, allowed for a detailed evaluation of the state of conservation of the site as well as the development of an action programme for the recovery of the site.
The Committee ...
VII.20 Everglades National Park (United States of America)
The Committee recalled that the site was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1993 and that at its last session, it examined the detailed monitoring report presented by the State Party, which outlined the precedent-setting long-term experimental restoration work necessary to restore the balance of the Everglades ecosystem. The State Party presented an interim monitoring report dated May 1996 outlining the Federal and State of Florida government's US$2 billion partnership efforts with the private sector to protect ...
Sites: Everglades National Park
VII.21 Yellowstone National Park (United States of America)
The Committee recalled that at its nineteenth session it decided that, on the basis of both ascertained dangers and potential threats outlined by the State Party, Yellowstone National Park be inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger and that the State Party was invited by the Committee to provide information on the results of its required Environmental Impact Statement as related to proposed mining activity adjacent to the Park boundary and mitigating actions. In May 1996, the State Party advised the Centre about the ...
Sites: Yellowstone National Park
VII.14 Srebarna Nature Reserve (Bulgaria)
The Committee recalled that at its nineteenth session it examined a monitoring report prepared by the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention. This report indicated that the new water control structure allowed for an inflow of water on a small scale and that a colony of the Dalmatian Pelican had been re-established. The report concluded, however, that the integrity of the site had not yet been adequately restored.
As a result, the Committee decided at its nineteenth session to retain the site on the List of World Heritage in Danger and requested ...
Sites: Srebarna Nature Reserve
VII.15 Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia)
The Committee took note of the results of a international rapid assessment mission organized by the Centre and the Croatian authorities from 5 to 9 May 1996. The mission made an interdisciplinary review of the state of conservation of the site and determined that the World Heritage values had not been adversely impacted by the armed conflict. To the contrary, the mission concluded the natural systems of the area were recovering from pre-war overdevelopment and over-use. The mission surveyed the war damage to Park commercial and ...
Sites: Plitvice Lakes National Park
VII.16 Sanqay National Park (Ecuador)
At its nineteenth session, the World Heritage Committee called for an Environmental Impact Assessment of road construction activities in the Park and requested information from INEFAN, the National Park administration, on road modifications, a land tenure study and steps for an updated management plan. INEFAN informed the Centre that with respect to the road construction a meeting had been organized with the concerned political authorities and local communities. It was also noted that the road was declared of military interest. The Centre received a ...
Sites: Sangay National Park
VII.22 Virunga National Park (Zaire)
The Committee recalled that Virunga National Park was included on the List of World Heritage in Danger in December 1994, due to the tragic events in Rwanda and the subsequent massive influx of refugees from that country. Virunga National Park, situated on the border between Rwanda and Uganda, has been destabilized by the uncontrolled arrival of refugees, causing illegal extraction of wood and poaching at the site.
The Centre wrote to the authorities requesting that the World Heritage Committee be informed about any action to be undertaken to stop ...
Sites: Virunga National Park
VII.24 Angkor (Cambodia)
The Committee was informed of the Secretariat's report to the Bureau on the progress made by the Government of Cambodia in meeting the obligations made to the Committee at the time of the inscription of the site on the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger. The Committee was informed that it continues to assist the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia to prepare the decrees necessary for the enforcement of the Law for the Protection of National Cultural Heritage which was promulgated on 25 January 1996.
The Authority for the Protection ...
Sites: Angkor
VII.2S Old City of Dubrovnik (Croatia)
On September 5, 1996, the area of Dubrovnik was hit by an earthquake. In response to a request from the Croatian authorities, a fact-finding mission was sent to Dubrovnik late November to survey the effects of the earthquake. The expert mission reported that the earthquake caused minimum damage in Dubrovnik. Only some cracks dating back to the earthquake of 1979 had deteriorated.
Very serious damage, however, was caused to the historical town of Ston, which is on the Croatian Tentative List. Inside the city walls nearly all buildings were damaged ...
Sites: Old City of Dubrovnik
VII.26 Bahla Fort (Oman)
The Bureau at its twentieth session was informed that an expert mission would visit the site. This mission was undertaken in September 1996 and several recommendations were made regarding conservation techniques, proj ect management etc. All of these were accepted by the Omani Government.
After having examined the report of the Secretariat on the expert mission to Bahla Fort, the Committee thanked the Omani authorities for their efforts towards safeguarding the site and the satisfactory use of traditional materials, and to have adopted the recommendations of the ...
Sites: Bahla Fort
VII.27 Archaeological zone of Chan Chan (Peru)
It was recalled that an extensive report on the state of conservation of Chan Chan was submitted to the Committee at its seventeenth session in Cartagena in 1993 which concluded that the issue of encroachment and land occupation needed to be addressed in order to reclaim and secure the site. In 1996, the Government of Peru initiated this process. Long-term protection of the site is now a concern for the site managers and several alternatives of securing the site are presently under study.
Furthermore, a Pan-American Course on the ...
VII.28 Wieliczka Salt Mines (Poland)
At its eighteenth session in 1994, the Committee approved an amount of US$ 100,000 to purchase the dehumidifying equipment required for the preservation of the salt sculptures of this World Heritage site in Danger.
A contract to this effect was negotiated and signed between the Culture Sector of UNESCO and the Polish Permanent Delegation. The project is to be completed before the end of 1997.
The Committee commended the Polish authorities and the Marie Curie Foundation for their efforts in order to preserve the precious salt sculptures at Wieliczka, ...