World Heritage Centre https://whc.unesco.org?cid=305&l=en&searchDecisions=&search_theme=17&search_session_decision=114&action=list&mode=rss World Heritage Centre - Committee Decisions 90 en Copyright 2024 UNESCO, World Heritage Centre Wed, 05 Jun 2024 02:42:51 EST UNESCO, World Heritage Centre - Decisions https://whc.unesco.org/document/logowhc.jpg https://whc.unesco.org 42 COM 7 State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Documents WHC/18/42.COM/7, WHC/18/42.COM/7A, WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add, WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add.2, WHC/18/42.COM/7B and WHC/18/42.COM/7B.Add and WHC/18/42.COM/7B.Add.2,
  2. Recalling Decisions 40 COM 7 and 41 COM 7, adopted at its 40th (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016) and 41st (Krakow, 2017) sessions respectively,
  3. Thanks the State Party of Bahrain for having organized a World Heritage Site Managers Forum (Manama, 2018), as a capacity-building exercise aiming at increasing the understanding of the World Heritage decision-making process among site managers, in order to achieve a more effective protection of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV); acknowledges the importance and benefit of this Forum and considers that it should be convened in conjunction with all future sessions of the World Heritage Committee;
  4. Takes note of the Statement of Participants to the Forum and encourages States Parties to support the participation of their respective site managers to future fora and other capacity-building opportunities in order to enable them to provide appropriate information with regard to the management of their respective sites;

    Statutory matters related to Reactive Monitoring
    Reactive Monitoring evaluation

  5. Takes note with appreciation that the World Heritage Centre has launched an evaluation of the Reactive Monitoring process and thanks the State Party of Switzerland for its financial support to this activity;

  6. Notes with concern that some properties have remained on the List of World Heritage in Danger for more than ten years; this raises questions on whether the OUV has been maintained and requests the World Heritage Centre to establish an inclusive working mechanism for assessing the OUV of these sites, and to present a report during the 44th session;
  7. Urges States Parties along with other stakeholders to actively contribute to the evaluation of the Reactive Monitoring process to ensure this mechanism remains a valuable indicator and overview of the state of conservation of heritage;
  8. Also takes note that the Secretariat has prepared audio-visual communication and outreach material related to the List of World Heritage in Danger;
  9. Encourages all stakeholders of the World Heritage Convention to engage in the promotion of a better understanding of the implications and benefits of properties being inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, and to develop appropriate information material in this regard with a view to overcome the negative perceptions of the List of World Heritage in Danger;
  10. Requests that the Reactive Monitoring Evaluation includes options for process improvements for sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger, in particular how actions recommended by Reactive Monitoring missions to assist States Parties meet their Desired state of conservation should be incorporated into the costed Action Plans decided by the World Heritage Committee in its Decision 41 COM 14;
  11. Further requests the World Heritage Centre develop a proposal, for sharing in the World Heritage Market Place, for funds to support a workshop to assist States Parties with sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger to develop and implement prioritized, staged and costed actions plans, and notes that these plans can be linked to requests for international assistance and shared in the Market Place;
  12. Recognizing the importance of focusing on those properties of greatest concern, recommends that, with effect from the 43rd session of the Committee, the World Heritage Centre considers geographical and thematic distribution of properties as additional criteria when determining which properties to open for discussion under Agenda items 7A and 7B;

    Dialogue with civil society
  13. Welcomes the continued interest of civil society organizations in the Convention, acknowledging the important contribution that can be made to the promotion and conservation of heritage on the ground and to capacity-building;
  14. Also welcomes the initiative of the World Heritage Centre to open the consultation processes related to the Convention to a larger number of stakeholders, including civil society;
  15. Takes note of the World Heritage Civil Society Workshop organized further to the initiative of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in March 2018, which discussed how civil society participation in the Convention, and specifically in World Heritage Committee sessions, can be further improved;
  16. Encourages again States Parties and civil society organizations to continue to explore possibilities to further civil society engagement in the Convention, both by contributing to enhanced conservation of heritage on the site and national level and by providing relevant input to the heritage related debate at the global level;

    Emergency situations resulting from conflicts
  17. Deplores the loss of human life as well as the degradation of humanitarian conditions resulting from the conflict situations prevailing in several countries, and expresses its utmost concern at the devastating damage sustained and the continuing threats facing cultural and natural heritage in general;
  18. Urges all parties associated with conflicts to refrain from any action that would cause further damage to cultural and natural heritage and to fulfill their obligations under international law by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage, in particular the safeguarding of World Heritage properties and the sites included in the Tentative List;
  19. Also urges the States Parties to adopt measures against World Heritage properties being used for military purposes and to stop uncontrolled development;
  20. Also expresses its utmost concern about the impacts of conflicts causing an escalation of the already severe poaching crisis in central Africa, as armed groups are financing their activities through illegal wildlife trade, which is having a severe impact on wildlife populations, thereby degrading the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of natural World Heritage properties;
  21. Appeals to all Member States of UNESCO to cooperate in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural objects and illegal wildlife trade, as well as cultural heritage protection in general, including through the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2199 (2015), 2253 (2015) and 2347 (2017) and of the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import and Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property;

    Emergency situations resulting from natural disasters

  22. Welcomes the efforts undertaken by the World Heritage Centre to implement the Strategy for Reducing Risks from Disasters at World Heritage Properties;
  23. Urges States Parties, in coordination with the World Heritage Centre, to give priority within international assistance in implementing emergency measures to mitigate significant damages resulting from natural disasters that are likely to affect the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage properties;
  24. Encourages States Parties and other stakeholders to further strengthen international cooperation aiming at mitigating impacts of major natural disasters affecting World Heritage properties and reducing vulnerabilities on lives, properties and livelihoods;


    Other conservation issues
    Reconstruction

  25. Thanks the Government of Poland for hosting the International Conference on Reconstruction “The Challenges of World Heritage Recovery” (Warsaw, 6-8 May 2018), providing a forum for review of specific case studies and understanding of the role of reconstruction in recovery, especially in post-conflict and post-disaster situations;
  26. Welcomes the Warsaw Recommendation providing clear principles on reconstruction and recovery and requests the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to broadly disseminate it among States Parties, World Heritage stakeholders and partner organizations;
  27. Also requests the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to continue the reflection and report back to its 43rd session in 2019 on the implementation of the Warsaw Recommendation;
  28. Encourages the ongoing cooperation with the World Bank and with United Nations agencies in addressing the challenges of World Heritage recovery and reconstruction;

    Climate Change

  29. Expresses its continued concern about the impacts of climate change on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of World Heritage properties and reiterates the importance of States Parties undertaking the most ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), by holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and by pursuing efforts to limit the global average temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change;
  30. Notes with appreciation the initiatives taken by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to advance work on the updating of the Policy Document on the impacts of climate change on World Heritage properties;
  31. Requests that the development of the updated Policy Document include consultation with States Parties, the Advisory Bodies and civil society, and be completed for consideration by the Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  32. Expresses its gratitude to the State Party of Germany for the organization of a workshop on World Heritage and Climate Change (Vilm, October 2017), to the State Party of the Netherlands for its generous support to the updating of the Policy Document and to the State Party of France for its generous support to the first global scientific assessment of climate change impacts on World Heritage-listed coral reefs;
  33. Thanks the Secretariat of the UNFCCC for its active participation in the above-mentioned workshop and inputs into the forthcoming broader Policy Document updating process;

    Absent or unclear boundaries

  34. Urges States Parties that still have properties with unclear boundaries and/or buffer zones to undertake the necessary mapping exercises to clarify their boundaries and buffer zones of properties at the time of their inscription, and submit those to the World Heritage Centre for subsequent examination by the World Heritage Committee;
  35. Reminds States Parties that any change to existing boundaries and buffer zones must be approved by the World Heritage Committee through the applicable procedures, as outlined in paragraphs 163-167 of the Operational Guidelines;


    Heritage Impact Assessments/Environmental Impact Assessments (HIAs/EIAs)

  36. Welcomes the increasing use of Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) to assess the potential impact of proposed development projects on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of cultural World Heritage properties, and encourages States Parties to use the HIA methodology for all developments within or otherwise affecting cultural World Heritage properties, as part of the accepted decision-making process;
  37. Stresses the necessity for HIAs and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) to be proportionate to the scope and scale of projects, with simpler assessments being undertaken for smaller projects and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) for very large projects, and the necessity for assessments to be undertaken in a timely fashion and submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, as part of notifications made under Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
  38. Reiterates that HIAs and EIAs should include a dedicated section examining the potential impact of the project on the OUV of the World Heritage property, in accordance with the existing ICOMOS Guidance and IUCN Advice Note;
  39. Notes that HIAs cannot be assessed as stand-alone documents and requests States Parties to ensure that when HIAs are submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies that they are accompanied by full details of the project to which they refer;
  40. Also welcomes the initiative of IUCN and ICCROM to develop further advice on impact assessment for cultural and natural heritage in the framework of the World Heritage Leadership programme with the support of Norway;

    Large scale development projects and Strategic Environmental Assessments
  41. Noting with concern that an increasing number of properties are threatened by large-scale development projects including dams, extractive industries, and transportation infrastructure, located both inside and outside their boundaries,
  42. Also noting that Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) do not always allow for a broad enough assessment of the potential impact of these large-scale developments, nor an assessment of a broad enough range of options at an early enough stage in the planning process,
  43. Requests States Parties to ensure that the potential impacts of such large-scale developments on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of World Heritage properties directly affected or located within their zone of influence are assessed through Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) at an early stage in the development of the overall project, before locations/routes have been fixed and prior to any approvals being given;
  44. Recalling Article 6 of the Convention, also requests States Parties to systematically inform the World Heritage Centre, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, of any planned large-scale development projects in their territories that may impact on the OUV of a property, even if the property concerned is situated on the territory of other States Parties, and to ensure that these impacts are assessed as part of the SEA of the project concerned;

    Tourism and Visitor Management
  45. Acknowledging the contribution of sustainable tourism to the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development and the positive impact it can have on local communities and the protection of World Heritage properties, nevertheless notes with concern that the number of properties negatively affected by inadequate visitor management and tourism infrastructure development continues to increase;
  46. Requests States Parties to develop Visitor Management Plans that assess appropriate carrying capacity of properties for visitors and address the issue of unregulated tourism;
  47. Encourages the States Parties to support UNESCO in its effort to develop an overall Visitor Management Strategy for World Heritage, with policy recommendations to assist States Parties in addressing the issues of unregulated and unsustainable tourism use and development, and to provide resources to UNESCO for the implementation of the Strategy;

    Impact of sports facilities and activities on World Heritage properties
  48. Welcomes the continued agreement between IUCN and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) aiming at integrating biodiversity considerations in IOC’s processes, and takes note of the Sport and Biodiversity guide launched by IUCN as the first in a series of reports that will provide guidance to the sports sector regarding its potential impacts on nature, including on World Heritage properties
  49. Also welcomes the World Rowing Federation (FISA) commitment to respect and preserve the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of natural and mixed World Heritage properties, and calls on other Sport Federations to consider making similar commitments, including for all types of World Heritage, both natural and cultural;

    Dialogue with the extractive industries and the finance sector on the “No-go Commitment”
  50. Takes note of the continued dialogue between the World Heritage Centre and the extractive industries on extending the “No-go” commitment to other companies;
  51. Welcomes the growing interest from the investment sector for the conservation of World Heritage properties and strongly encourages all banks, investment funds, the insurance industry and other relevant private and public sector companies to integrate into their sustainability policies, provisions for ensuring that they are not financing projects that may negatively impact World Heritage properties and that the companies they are investing in subscribe to the “No-go commitment”, and invites them to lodge these policies with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre;
  52. Requests the World Heritage Centre, in cooperation with the Advisory Bodies, to continue the fruitful dialogue with extractive industries and the investment sector, including reflections on how to make these commitments and policies publically available online to inspire other companies in these sectors to follow suit;

    Earth Observation technologies
  53. Noting that Earth Observation satellite technologies and spatial analysis tools have tremendously improved over the past decade and that they provide powerful additional means for decision-makers and stakeholders of the Convention to find comprehensive solutions to today’s global challenges for World Heritage properties,
  54. Encourages States Parties to make full use of such Earth Observation technologies for the early detection of activities potentially harmful to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of World Heritage properties, such as deforestation, mining, illegal fisheries, agricultural encroachment, etc. and to better understand trends and respond appropriately;

    Illegal trade in endangered species and the cooperation with the CITES Convention

  55. Reiterates its utmost concern about the growing impacts of the illegal trade in endangered species, which is affecting many natural World Heritage properties;
  56. Welcomes the increased attention to this threat and launches an appeal to all Member States of UNESCO to fully implement Resolution 71/326 of United Nations General Assembly on “Tackling illicit trafficking in wildlife”, including through the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and with the full engagement of transit and destination countries;
  57. Also welcomes the continued fruitful cooperation between the World Heritage Centre, IUCN and the CITES Secretariat and invites the World Heritage Centre and IUCN to further strengthen this cooperation;

    Invasive species
  58. Notes with concern the important number of properties significantly affected by invasive alien species (IAS);
  59. Recalls its encouragement to States Parties to develop adequately-resourced IAS strategies that emphasize prevention and early warning and rapid response in World Heritage properties;
  60. Strongly encourages States Parties to incorporate IAS response strategies into climate change mitigation policies for World Heritage properties.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7112 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.1 Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Afghanistan) (C 208 rev) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.54 adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Notes with satisfaction the long-awaited launch, in the framework of the UNESCO/Japan Funds-in-Trust (JFiT) project for the safeguarding of the Bamiyan Buddha Niches, of the technical works aiming at consolidating the Western Buddha niche, which also contributed to the adequate conservation of fragments from the niche and helped assess the conditions of remaining mural paintings in several cliffs throughout the Bamiyan Valley, and requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre a detailed technical report on the activities undertaken;
  4. Also notes that surveys were conducted at Shahr-i-Ghulghulah, with support from UNESCO and the UNESCO/Italy Funds-in-Trust, in order to establish a long-term plan for the conservation of historical monuments, and also requests the State Party to submit a detailed technical report on the research conducted and the plans made for the future conservation of this component;
  5. Welcoming the organization of the International Symposium “The Future of the Bamiyan Buddha Statues: Technical Considerations and Potential Effects on Authenticity and Outstanding Universal Value” (OUV), held in Tokyo in September 2017 as part of the UNESCO/Japan FiT project, acknowledges the Symposium’s recommendations, which notably invite the State Party and international partners to deepen the reflection on the possible reconstruction of the Bamiyan Buddha statues; and further requests the State Party to conduct extensive consultation with local communities, civil society, as well as spiritual leaders and other stakeholders and to submit any selected proposals or options for review by the Advisory Bodies before any irreversible decision is made;
  6. Welcomes the organization of the 14th Bamiyan Technical Working Group meeting, held in December 2017, which set the priorities for future activities;
  7. Expresses its concern over lack of on-going resources which has led to disruption in the deployment of on-site guards since April 2017, and the absence of significant conservation efforts for several components of the property which are in imminent danger of collapse;
  8. Encourages the State Party to prepare a long-term strategy to ensure that the necessary resources for the most important operations are reliably and continuously available, taking into account the existing financial constraints;
  9. Calls upon the international community to provide technical and financial support, notably to other components of the serial property in the Bamiyan Valley, such as Shahr-i-Zohak, Kakrak and Fuladi Valleys, in order to assist the State Party in reaching the adopted Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
  10. Further notes that the Cultural Master Plan is used as a tool to protect the OUV of the property, in consultation with national and local stakeholders, and further welcomes the State Party’s efforts to promote a closer synergy between this instrument, the upcoming Strategic Master Plan for Bamiyan and the City Master Plan;
  11. Noting nevertheless that industrial development and uncontrolled urban growth in the buffer zone could represent a potential threat to conservation in the future, requests moreover that the State Party closely monitor these activities within the framework of the implementation of the CMP and supports the State Party’s commitment to proceed with a boundary modification and the revision of national legislation, in an effort to enhance the permanent protection of heritage resources, notably the cultural landscape of the Bamiyan Valley that is not currently included in protected zones and its setting;
  12. Encourages the State Party to continue capitalizing on various capacity-building activities for national heritage experts by encouraging their participation in international projects, which also strengthens national and local capacities for heritage conservation and management, notably by developing the local communities’ capacity to contribute to the safeguarding of the property;
  13. Notes with concern that little progress has been achieved with the implementation of corrective measures due to the lack of human and financial resources, and urges again the State Party to review, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, the timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures and to submit it to the World Heritage Centre, for examination by the Advisory Bodies;
  14. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, including a revised timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  15. Decides to retain the Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Afghanistan) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7174 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.2 Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan) (C 211 rev) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.55, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Notes that the Conservation Action Plan (CAP) was finalized as an outcome of the Emergency International Assistance granted under the World Heritage Fund and submitted to the World Heritage Centre in February 2018 and urges the State Party to start implementing the short- and medium-term actions specified by this CAP and to secure the necessary financial and human resources;
  4. Also notes that the first field visit to the property in three years was conducted in September 2017, with support from the Heritage Emergency Fund, and will provide detailed scientific data to further inform the implementation of the CAP;
  5. Further notes the capacity-building workshop conducted in Germany in April 2017 to reinforce the scientific and technical skills of national engineers in view of the upcoming conservation activities in and around the property;
  6. Regrets that the boundaries of the World Heritage property and its buffer zone remain to be precisely defined and, recalling that a topographical map was realized for this purpose as part of a UNESCO/Italy Funds-in-Trust project in 2012, also urges the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, a proposal for a minor boundary modification, in conformity with the CAP and in accordance with Paragraphs 163-164 of the Operational Guidelines, for review by ICOMOS;
  7. Further urges the State Party to address the following three critical issues:
    1. The installation of a monitoring instrument on the Minaret of Jam to measure its inclination,
    2. The emergency stabilization work for the wooden staircases, in order to prevent further destabilization of the Minaret’s structure,
    3. The construction of a footbridge over the Hari Rud River and a guesthouse at the property, in order to improve access to the property and site security;
  8. Encourages the State Party to capitalize on the capacity-building activities made possible via international cooperation mechanisms in order to further develop and strengthen the theoretical and technical knowledge and capacities of national heritage experts and encourage their participation in the training activities provided;
  9. Calls upon the international community to provide technical and financial support, in cooperation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, for the implementation of above-mentioned CAP, which will be part of a strategy to implement the corrective measures adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007);
  10. Also requests the State Party to revise the timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures and to submit it to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2019, for review by the Advisory Bodies;
  11. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  12. Decides to retain the Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7175 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.3 Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Micronesia, Federated States of) (C 1503) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add2,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.56, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Welcomes the commitment to appoint a Designated Property Manager by the State Party;
  4. Notes that progress is being made to strengthen the legal protection of the property and that a revised Law is expected to be approved in 2018;
  5. Also notes that a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to the property has been carried out and requests the State Party to implement all of the mission’s recommendations;
  6. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  7. Decides to retain Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Micronesia (Federated States of)) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7176 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.4 Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Uzbekistan) (C 885) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decisions 39 COM 7B.74, 40 COM 7B.48 and 41 COM 7A.57, adopted at its 39th (Bonn, 2015), 40th (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016) and 41st (Krakow, 2017) sessions respectively, and, in particular, its Decision 41 COM 7A.57 paragraph 11, requesting the World Heritage Committee to consider whether the property had “deteriorated to such an extent that it has lost the attributes of the OUV defined at the time of inscription and should therefore, in accordance with Paragraph 192 of the Operational Guidelines, be deleted from the World Heritage List”; and noting the concern that the reconstruction project ‘State Programme for complex measures for the building and reconstruction of Shakhrisyabz city’ represented a threat to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, in accordance with Paragraph 179 (b) of the Operational Guidelines,
  3. Also recalling that the March 2016 and December 2016 Reactive Monitoring missions to the property confirmed that “the heart of the Temurid town planning has been lost, that traditional dwelling houses in the core of the medieval town have been destroyed” (Decision 41 COM 7A.57), and that the key attributes of the OUV have been damaged,
  4. Further recalling that States Parties have an obligation under the Convention to protect and conserve the World Cultural and Natural Heritage situated on their territory, notably to ensure that effective and active measures are taken for the protection and conservation of such heritage,
  5. Recalling furthermore that, according to Article 6.1 of the Convention, properties inscribed on the World Heritage List constitute ‘a world heritage for whose protection it is the duty of the international community as a whole to co-operate’, and recalling furthermore the duty of the international community to assist and cooperate with States Parties in their endeavour to conserve such heritage,
  6. Regrets that no information was provided on the reconstruction and development scheme to the World Heritage Centre in due time, and before any irreversible decision was taken, despite the provisions of Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
  7. Notes that the State Party has not defined any possible mitigation measures to recover lost attributes or proposed a significant boundary modification based on any recoverable attributes, in response to the Committee’s request to explore these options;
  8. Also notes that the work is currently suspended on the ‘State Programme for complex measures for the building and reconstruction of Shakhrisyabz city’ and requests the State Party to halt any further work at the Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz until the World Heritage Committee reconsiders this matter at its 43rd session in 2019, with the exception of possible emergency recommendations from the high-level World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission referred to in paragraph 18 below;
  9. Considers that the State Party’s 2017 report has not questioned the conclusions of the December 2016 Reactive Monitoring mission;
  10. Also regrets that the requests of the World Heritage Committee at its 39th, 40th, and 41st sessions were not properly addressed to protect key attributes of the OUV of the property;
  11. Takes note of the Decree of the Government of the State Party and its annex that includes a road map on the protection of the Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz;
  12. Bearing in mind the Reactive Monitoring mission’s conclusion that “recovering sufficient attributes to justify the OUV identified at the time of inscription seems impossible at this stage” (41 COM.7A.57), recommends that the State Party should further explore options for the potential recovery of attributes and, if needed, consider, in consultation with ICOMOS, whether a significant boundary modification based on some of the monuments and the remaining urban areas might have the potential to justify OUV;
  13. Reiterates its request to the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2018, further details and documentation to allow an assessment of what, if anything, could be recovered, for review by ICOMOS, including:
    1. Detailed plans of the town centre showing the layout and buildings before and after demolition,
    2. Detailed plans of the remaining mahalla areas and descriptions of their characteristics,
    3. Inventories of remaining traditional houses,
    4. Assessment of changes to houses and streets since inscription, including comparisons with the 1983 drawings of selected houses,
    5. Current plans for further improvements and upgrade work on houses and access routes,
    6. Documentation on work carried out on the monuments and their settings since inscription,
    7. A report on the current Master Plan for the city;
  14. Also requests that the State Party develop, in consultation with ICOMOS, detailed and specific indicators for the attributes of OUV for the entire property in order to assess the impact on authenticity and integrity in relation to these indicators, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  15. Also recommends the State Party to develop a holistic interpretation strategy for the property in order to communicate the historic development of the urban fabric and allow residents and visitors to establish a connection between the preserved elements of the property and its original structure and appearance;
  16. Urges the State Party to address recommendations of the World Heritage Committee as well as those of the December 2016 Reactive Monitoring mission, notably regarding protection, management and tile decay on the façade of Ak-Saray Palace;
  17. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019, with a view to considering retaining the property on the World Heritage List;
  18. Requests furthermore the State Party to invite as soon as possible a high-level World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to discuss with the relevant Uzbek authorities and stakeholders possible mitigation of the impacts to the attributes that convey the property’s OUV and/or possible major boundary modification to the property;
  19. Decides to retain the Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Uzbekistan) on the List of World Heritage in Danger;
  20. Finally notes that the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies stand ready to provide capacity-building assistance to the State Party at the national level, notably regarding the implementation of the 2011 UNESCO Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, the process for Heritage Impact Assessments, in line with the ICOMOS Guidelines, and other important aspects of heritage management and conservation, and strongly encourages the State Party to use this opportunity as a means of strengthening management and conservation at other urban World Heritage properties in Uzbekistan.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7177 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.5 Historic Centre of Vienna (Austria) (C 1033) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decisions 40 COM 7B.49 and 41 COM 7B.42, adopted at its 40th (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016) and 41st (Krakow, 2017) sessions respectively,
  3. Also recalling the concerns expressed by the 2012 mission regarding the critical level of urban development reached since inscription and its cumulative impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, the need for new tools to guide the development process towards sustainable development that protects the attributes of the OUV, and the specific recommendations of the 2015 mission to the property;
  4. Welcomes the process put in place by the State Party together with the City of Vienna, ICOMOS and the World Heritage Centre in order to establish a clear milestone plan for addressing the Committee’s decisions;
  5. Also welcomes the completion of the study on historic roof constructions in the Historic Centre of Vienna by the Federal Monuments Authority in collaboration with the City of Vienna, which will contribute to the conservation of this important attribute of the property, as highlighted in the 2012 and 2015 mission reports;
  6. Notes with concern that legal approval was given in June 2017 for the “Intercontinental Hotel – Ice Skating Club – Vienna Concert Hall” project by the Vienna City Council, and that construction work is proposed to start in spring 2020, subject to a ‘clarification of whether the 2017 modifications to the project are sufficient to retain the authenticity of the property’, even though the Committee has advised that this project in its current form would adversely affect the OUV of the property; and that a political decision allowing the Wien Museum and the Winterthur Building projects is expected in spring 2018;
  7. Requests the State Party to halt any further approvals for high-rise projects, and the implementation of already approved projects, pending the adoption of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and corrective measures by the Committee;
  8. Notes with satisfaction the three-stage process proposed by the State Party, to address the substantive threats posed by current planning instruments and new developments at the property that led to Danger listing; and also requests that the State Party ensure that an outcome of the three-stage process is an agreed DSOCR and a related set of corrective measures and timeframe for their implementation, addressing decisions 40 COM 7B.49 and 41 COM 7B.42, and the recommendations of the 2012 and 2015 missions, for adoption by the Committee;
  9. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  10. Decides to retain the Historic Centre of Vienna (Austria) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7178 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.6 Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Serbia) (C 724 bis) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Decides to adjourn the debate on this agenda item until its next ordinary session.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7179 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.7 Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) (C 1150) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decisions 37 COM 7A.35, 38 COM 7A.19, 39 COM 7A.43, 40 COM 7A.31, and 41 COM 7A.22, adopted at its 37th (Phnom Penh, 2013), 38th (Doha, 2014), 39th (Bonn, 2015), 40th (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016) and 41st (Krakow, 2017) sessions respectively,
  3. Recalls that it has repeatedly expressed its serious concerns over the impact of the proposed Liverpool Waters developments in the form presented in the approved Outline Planning Consent (2013-2042);
  4. Acknowledges the increasing engagement of civil society in the care of the World Heritage property and its status, in particular the organization “Engage Liverpool”;
  5. Although noting that the State Party has proposed a draft Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), including a set of corrective measures, a timeframe for implementation, as well as indicators; also notes that comprehensive assessment of the proposed DSOCR by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies is not feasible at this stage, as the DSCOR is not yet complete and relies on the content of additional documents, which are yet to be prepared by the State Party, including the Local Plan, the revised Supplementary Planning Document, the neighbourhood masterplans, and the height (‘skyline’) policy;
  6. Further notes that Peel Holdings (Liverpool Waters developer) has recently confirmed to Liverpool City Council that there is no likelihood of the scheme coming forward in the same form of the Outline Planning Consent, and that Peel Holdings is undertaking a comprehensive review of the scheme and drawing up new neighbourhood masterplans taking full account of heritage considerations and recorded commentary by the World Heritage Committee;
  7. Reiterates its previous request to the State Party to adopt a moratorium for new buildings within the property and its buffer zone, until the Local Plan, the revised Supplementary Planning Document, the neighbourhood masterplans, and the height (‘skyline’) policy are all carefully reviewed and endorsed by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, and the DSOCR is completely finalized and approved by the World Heritage Committee;
  8. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, the Local Plan, the revised Supplementary Planning Document, the neighbourhood masterplans, and the height (skyline) policy, or any other relevant document, for preliminary examination by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;
  9. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2019 a revised DSOCR and a report on the state of conservation of the property for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019 and, in this context, recalls its position expressed in Decision 41 COM 7A.22 - Paragraph 11, in case the State Party does not:
    1. Provide substantive commitments to limitation on the quantity, location and size of allowable built form,
    2. Link the strategic city development vision to a regulatory planning document,
    3. Submit a fully-complete DSOCR and corrective measures in a form that might be considered for adoption by the Committee;
  10. Decides to retain the Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7180 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.8 City of Potosi (Bolivia, Plurinational State of) (C 420) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.23, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Acknowledges with appreciation the State Party’s commitment to implementing the corrective measures to achieve the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), and encourages the State Party to continue working towards their effective implementation within the established timeline;
  4. Takes note of the progress achieved in elaborating the Integrated and Participatory Management Plan (IPMP) for the property, as facilitated by the two recent technical missions, and urges the State Party to submit the final draft to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, as soon as it becomes available;
  5. Also takes note of the advances in elaborating a proposal for definition of the property’s buffer zone, and also urges the State Party to submit a final proposal for a Minor Boundary Modification, in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines;
  6. Requests the State Party to provide complete and clear information on the progress in implementing the entire set of corrective measures, and include the relevant reports, legislation, policies, etc. mentioned in its 2018 state of conservation report, to allow for a fuller understanding of the current situation particularly regarding the management and conservation of the Cerro Rico and the eventual relocation of miners above 4,400 meters;
  7. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  8. Decides to retain the City of Potosí (Bolivia (Plurinational State of)) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7181 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.9 Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Chile) (C 1178 bis) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.24, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Commends the State Party for its sustained effort and commitment to implement the programme of corrective measures within the established timeframe and welcomes the recent creation of the Ministry of Cultures, Arts and Heritage;
  4. Encourages the State Party to complete the programme of corrective measures by the end of 2018 in order to assess the achievement of the Desired state of conservation, in view of the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;
  5. Also welcomes the solution found for the protection of the proposed buffer zone and the declaration of this zone as a National Monument under the category of Typical Zone, requests the State Party to establish the regulatory measures for its management and protection, and further requests it to submit the buffer zone as a a formal Minor Boundary Modification application, as per Paragraph 163 and 164 of the Operational Guidelines, to the World Centre for evaluation by the Advisory Bodies and consideration by the World Heritage Committee;
  6. Urges the State Party to complete the Conservation Plan and to submit it as soon as it becomes available to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
  7. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  8. Decides to retain Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Chile) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7182 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.10 Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Panama) (C 135) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.25, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Expresses its regret that the implementation of the programme of corrective measures has suffered delays due to a lack of appropriate fund allocation, as a consequence of which the property risks losing important attributes and its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV);
  4. Welcomes the opportunity of funding offered by the Inter-American Development Bank for the conservation and management of cultural heritage that includes a major component for interventions in the World Heritage property;
  5. Notes that the revised timeframe proposed by the State Party for implementation of the programme of corrective measures confirms June 2019 as the final date, and urges it to ensure that this programme be implemented in its entirety, and that due attention be given to the definition and protection of buffer zones and the preparation of an integral Management Plan, which should give priority to conservation programmes and a sustainable public use plan;
  6. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, the finalized Management Plan for review by the Advisory Bodies and an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  7. Decides to retain the Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Panama) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7183 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.11 Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru) (C 366) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.26, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Commends the State Party for the important progress made in the implementation of most of the programme of corrective measures, and requests the State Party to continue its efforts;
  4. Welcomes the research and monitoring activities of the Pan-American Conservation Centre for Earthen Heritage Sites (PCCEHS), and the implementation of a number of important conservation projects, public awareness and outreach activities with educational institutions and communities in the vicinity of the property;
  5. Urges the formal approval of the Master Plan by the Minister of Culture, and also requests the State Party to inform the World Heritage Centre immediately once this has been resolved;
  6. Expresses its most serious concerns about the continued delays in the formal delimitation and regulation of the proposed buffer zone due to the lack of response from the management office of the Trujillo Provincial Municipality’s Urban Development Plan, as well as in the implementation of Law 28261 that would address the matter of illegal occupation, which are both essential components of the programme of corrective measures, as adopted in Decision 36 COM 7A.34;
  7. Further urges the State Party, once again, to address these matters with the utmost urgency;
  8. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above matters, along with an assessment of the level of implementation of the effectiveness of all corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  9. Decides to retain Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7184 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.12 Coro and its Port (Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of) (C 658) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.27, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Commends the State Party on its continued commitment to improving the state of conservation and management of the property, and ensuring the broad participation of community councils and the communities at large in these processes;
  4. Taking note that the redefinition of the property’s boundaries is still in the analysis phase, requests the State Party to finalize a clear boundary definition proposal as a matter of priority, in cooperation with ICOMOS, and submit a Minor Boundary Modification, in accordance with Paragraphs 163-164 of the Operational Guidelines, for the extension of the buffer zones;
  5. Recognizes the advances in the diagnostic phase of the Management Plan’s elaboration, and also requests the State Party to complete the draft version of this Plan, and submit it to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies as soon as it becomes available;
  6. Urges the State Party to start implementation of a prioritized and costed plan for the property’s drainage system, and ensure that adequate financial resources are secured for its correct execution;
  7. Further requests the State Party to provide complete and clear information on the implementation status of the entire set of corrective measures, and a detailed analysis of the progress in achieving the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
  8. Given that the timeline adopted by Decision 38 COM 7A.23 has lapsed, also urges the State Party to provide updated and detailed timelines for the implementation of the remaining corrective measures;
  9. Encourages the State Party to take advantage of opportunities for technical assistance, guided by ICOMOS, in addressing the above issues with the aim of advancing the implementation of the outstanding corrective measures;
  10. Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  11. Decides to retain Coro and its Port (Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7185 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.13 Old Towns of Djenné (Mali) (C 116rev) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.28, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Notes with satisfaction the projects carried out by the State Party in the implementation of the corrective measures, in particular the rehabilitation of degraded or dilapidated houses and the securization of the archaeological sites, the measures to combat water erosion, development of a section of the banks, as well as enhancement and awareness-raising measures;
  4. Congratulates the State Party for the development of the new 2018-2020 Management and Conservation Plan and the creation of a Management Committee;
  5. Also notes with appreciation the financial support of the Spanish Developing Cooperation Agency (AECID) to carry out an architectural diagnostic and solar electrification of the Grand Mosque of Djenné and welcomes the granting of International Assistance to the State Party for rehabilitation work on the monumental houses and the Moroccan Palace;
  6. Expresses its concern about the continuing problems linked notably to the degradation of the ancient urban fabric and the negative impacts affecting the buildings, the effects of water erosion, and encroachment of the archaeological sites that suffer from clandestine and superficial excavations;
  7. Recommends that the State Party accelerate the definition of the conservation and maintenance regulations for the buildings of the historic Town (corrective measure), including urban standards for the reconstruction of dilapidated houses, and encourages, through the Cultural Mission of Djenné, the pursuit of the awareness-raising and information efforts of the local population with a view to slowing down the degradation of the ancient urban fabric, lessen the negative impacts on the buildings, and reduce encroachment of the archaeological sites;
  8. Launches an appeal to the international community to support the efforts of the State Party and contribute towards the implementation of the second phase of the Programme for the rehabilitation of cultural heritage and safeguarding of the ancient manuscripts of Mali;
  9. Encourages the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to explore the possibility of setting up a short-term distance support programme, in order to  allow dialogue on capacity building and on drafting the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
  10. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above points, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  11. Decides to retain the Old Towns of Djenné (Mali) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7186 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.14 Timbuktu (Mali) (C 119rev) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.29, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Notes with satisfaction the progress achieved in the implementation by the State Party of the corrective measures adopted at its 40th session, in a continuingly difficult context in northern Mali, notably the rehabilitation and safeguarding work of the three mosques, the private libraries and the museums, the El-Farouk monument and the development of Independence Square, and also the extension of the HERI-AB;
  4. Congratulates the State Party for the preparation of the new 2018-2022 Management and Conservation Plan, and the increased involvement of the local community in activities carried out for the benefit of the property;
  5. Warmly welcomes the interventions foreseen for the security of two cemeteries, and recommends the State Party to broaden the scope of its efforts to include all the cemeteries containing the mausoleums of saints through additional measures, in particular the recruitment and training of guards for each cemetery, as well as public lighting;
  6. Expresses its concern as regards the continuing unstable security situation and notably certain impacts due to military presence, such as the potentially negative effects of vibrations caused by military vehicles to the listed buildings, and also recommends that the State Party study, in consultation with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), reorganization options for traffic adjacent to the concerned buildings to reduce these effects;
  7. Encourages the State Party to increase the financial, logistical and human resources of the Timbuktu Cultural Mission, to enable an improved fulfilment of its central function and ensure the implementation of the new Management and Conservation Plan;
  8. Launches an appeal to the international community to provide support to the efforts of the State Party and contribute towards the implementation of the second phase of the Rehabilitation Programme for Cultural Heritage and the safeguarding of the ancient manuscripts of Mali;
  9. Also encourages the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to explore the possibility of setting up a short-term distance support programme, in order to allow dialogue on capacity building and on drafting the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
  10. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above points, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  11. Decides to pursue the application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism for the property;
  12. Also decides to retain Timbuktu (Mali) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7187 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.15 Tomb of the Askia (Mali) (C 1139) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.30, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Takes note of the progress recorded (or carried out) in the implementation by the State Party of the corrective measures adopted at its 40th session, in a continuing difficult security context in northern Mali, in particular the restoration and improvement of the physical components of the property, the action to combat water erosion, the clean-up activity and the construction of the enclosure wall, and encourages the State Party to continue these actions with support from its partners;
  4. Congratulates the State Party for the preparation of the new 2018-2022 Management and Conservation Plan, as well as in increasing the involvement of the local community in actions carried out for the benefit of the property;
  5. Notes with satisfaction the submission by the State Party, and the granting, of International Assistance for the restoration and enhancement of the property, specifically the repair of the damaged roof, the maintenance of the pyramid tower and the regeneration of the basu trees;
  6. Expresses its concern about the continuing degradation risks to the Necropolis due to water erosion, despite measures undertaken, and notably following the collapse of the roof of the men’s mosque in August 2017, and also encourages the State Party to pursue the implementation of the corrective measures with particular attention to the regular inspection of the property and the development of a conservation handbook on the components of the property, indicating the periodic assessment mechanism of its state of conservation;
  7. Launches an appeal to the international community to support the efforts of the State Party and contribute towards the implementation of the second phase of the Programme for the rehabilitation of the cultural heritage and the safeguarding of the ancient manuscripts of Mali;
  8. Further encourages the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to explore the possibility of setting up a short-term distance support programme, in order to allow dialogue on capacity building and on drafting the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
  9. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above points, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  10. Decides to pursue the application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism for the property;
  11. Also decides to retain the Tomb of Askia (Mali) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7188 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.16 Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Uganda) (C 1022) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.31, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Welcomes the progress made in the reconstruction of the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga and that the work is on track to be completed in 2019, and notes the importance of funds being released from the Japanese extrabudgetary project as a matter of urgency in order to implement the disaster management system;
  4. Also welcomes the progress made in developing a disaster risk strategy, appropriate management structure, draft management plan and draft Master Plan, in cooperation with the Buganda Kingdom Heritage and Tourism Board, the traditional custodians, the architects with knowledge of traditional building practices, and representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, and commends the State Party for the collaborative nature in which these plans, strategies and systems have been developed;
  5. Further welcomes the progress made to submit a matrix with the corrective measures and a timeframe for implementation of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) as well as a workplan;
  6. Acknowledges the constructive contribution of all parties, including state and non-state agents, in achieving the progress to date;
  7. Encourages the State Party and all of the stakeholders involved in the management and use of the property to continue this active engagement, with support and guidance from the Advisory Bodies, with a view to implementing these strategies and plans at the earliest possible time, thereby achieving as soon as possible the DSOCR;
  8. Expresses its concern however at the rapid deterioration of the Bujjabukula, and also acknowledges the State Party’s willingness to address the state of conservation of this highly significant structure;
  9. Requests the State Party to:
    1. Urgently research and document the Bujjabukula, its construction and the individual elements that compose it,
    2. Urgently develop plans for its stabilization and restoration for submission to the Advisory Bodies,
    3. Implement the stabilization and restoration of the Bujjabukula as soon as possible and in parallel with the continuing process of the reconstruction of the Muzibu-Azaala-Mpanga;
  10. Also requests the State Party to further develop guidelines for the buffer zone of the property and reassess and align the development of Masiro and Hoima roads with the values for which the property was inscribed on the World Heritage List, and to duly reflect the urban dimension of the property and its OUV in the policies, measures and tools adopted by the State Party and the Kampala Capital City Authority, to ensure adequate conservation, using, if necessary, the approach carried by the Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (2011);
  11. Further requests the State Party to keep the World Heritage Centre informed of any change to the 2017 timeline for reaching the DSOCR;
  12. Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  13. Decides to retain the Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Uganda) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7189 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.17 Abu Mena (Egypt) (C 90) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.32, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Continues to express great concern regarding the state of conservation of the property and the low level of implementation of the recommended corrective measures;
  4. Notes that a scientific committee to study the threats to the property arising from the rise of the groundwater level and elaborate a project to address them, has been established, and urgently requests the State Party to:
    1. Devise an action plan to address the rise of the groundwater level,
    2. Establish an efficient system for monitoring the water table in the archaeological site and in the surrounding zones,
    3. Devise mitigation measures for the archaeological remains, during the process of lowering and stabilizing the water table;
  5. Also notes that, with the agreement of the State Party, an Advisory mission involving UNESCO and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is to visit the property to provide advice on appropriate irrigation and water management technologies;
  6. Also requests the State Party to submit, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, details for all on-going or planned restoration interventions at the property, particularly at the Great Basilica, the reburial strategy, and initiatives arising from the project for restoration and rehabilitation of the property, or any new envisaged constructions such as a visitors’ centre, for review prior to implementation, noting that a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) should be prepared for rehabilitation and construction projects in accordance with the 2011 ICOMOS Guidance on HIAs for Cultural World Heritage properties;
  7. Urges the State Party to proceed with comprehensive implementation of the corrective measures, to protect and conserve the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, with particular attention to the following issues:
    1. Preparation of a comprehensive Integrated Management Plan,
    2. Preparation of a conservation plan, which includes a condition survey and the identification of priority interventions to ensure stabilization of archaeological remains,
    3. Removal of inadequate new constructions, and the creation of facilities to allow for religious uses in areas outside the boundaries of the property and its buffer zone, if need be;
  8. Further requests the State Party to finalize the minor boundary modification request in close consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, and in line with Paragraphs 163-165 of the Operational Guidelines, for examination by the World Heritage Committee;
  9. Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  10. Decides to retain Abu Mena (Egypt) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7190 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.18 Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Iraq) (C 1130) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.33, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Expresses its very grave concern about the state of conservation of the property following the armed conflict and intentional destructive acts;
  4. Notes with concern the continuing lack of information on the state of conservation of the property, and requests the State Party to keep the World Heritage Centre informed about the situation on the ground;
  5. Reiterates its request to the State Party to submit a report on the rapid emergency assessment of the property undertaken in 2017, for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;
  6. Encourages the State Party to continue to pursue efforts to ensure the protection of the property, despite the difficult prevailing situation, and in particular to take steps toward the urgent implementation of the priority actions outlined at the International Coordination Conference on the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage in Liberated Areas of Iraq (UNESCO, February 2017), with the support of UNESCO and the international community;
  7. Urges all parties associated with the situation in Iraq to refrain from any action that would cause further damage to cultural and natural heritage of the country and to fulfil their obligations under international law by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage;
  8. Reiterates its appeal to all Member States of UNESCO to cooperate in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural heritage coming from Iraq as per the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2199 of February 2015, 2253 of December 2015 and 2347 of March 2017;
  9. Calls again on all Member States of UNESCO to support emergency safeguarding measures, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
  10. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  11. Decides to retain Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Iraq) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7191 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST 42 COM 7A.19 Hatra (Iraq) (C 277rev) The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.34, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Acknowledges the damage assessment undertaken by the Iraqi authorities and underlines the need for a detailed damage assessment followed by a comprehensive project for the conservation and protection of the property;
  4. Encourages the State Party to pursue efforts to protect the property, despite the difficult prevailing situation, and in particular to prevent looting and further damages to the property, as outlined at the International Coordination Conference on the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage in Liberated Areas of Iraq (UNESCO, February 2017), with the support of UNESCO and the international community;
  5. Invites the State Party to inform it, through the World Heritage Centre, of any future plans for major restoration or new construction projects that may affect the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, before making any decisions that would be difficult to reverse;
  6. Requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to further assess damages and to discuss with the Iraqi authorities the short-, medium- and long-term goals and actions required to protect the property from further damage and looting, as well as a more complete and detailed damage assessment in support of a comprehensive project for the conservation and restoration of the property;
  7. Urges all parties associated with the situation in Iraq to refrain from any action that would cause further damage to cultural and natural heritage of the country and to fulfil their obligations under international law by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage;
  8. Reiterates its appeal to all Member States of UNESCO to cooperate in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural heritage coming from Iraq as per the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 2199 of February 2015, 2253 of December 2015 and 2347 of March 2017;
  9. Calls again on all Member States of UNESCO to support emergency safeguarding measures, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
  10. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  11. Decides to retain Hatra (Iraq) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
]]> https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7192 wh-support@unesco.org Sun, 24 Jun 2018 00:00:00 EST