1. Having examined Document WHC-09/33.COM/7.2,

2. Recalling Decisions 31 COM 5.2 and 32 COM 7.3 adopted at its 31st (Christchurch, 2007), and 32nd (Quebec City, 2008) sessions respectively,

3. Notes the report on the implementation of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism;

4. Takes note of the operational aspects that have been refined by the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, as requested in Decision 31 COM 5.2, in view of the requirements of this decision that the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism be activated in exceptional and specific cases;

5. Also notes that every decision to apply the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism will clearly state the nature of the monitoring mission and the frequency of reporting required and that each application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism will be reviewed annually;

6. Decides that the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism is designed to assist only in exceptional and specific cases as defined document WHC-09/33.COM/7.2 paragraph 27 and predominantly restricted to the monitoring of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in cases where the World Heritage Committee fears the short-term loss of Outstanding Universal Value;

7. Further decides that if the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism is used as an alternative to established monitoring procedures such as the inclusion of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger, it creates potential for ambiguity and may reduce the credibility of the existing reactive monitoring system and its procedures;

8. Requests the World Heritage Centre to provide to the Members of the World Heritage Committee an out of session report on each activity within the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism at the earliest opportunity, including an explanation of any proposed response or reaction, to enable the Chairperson to finalize a timely response to all issues raised;

9. Sets a ceiling on the budget for the operation of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism at USD 50,000 per year, to include the costs of World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies in its operation, and agrees that each decision to apply the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism will be accompanied by a costing to ensure that the activity foreseen is within the available budget for the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism;

10. Further notes that Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism activities beyond this ceiling will require extra budgetary funding;

11. Further requests the World Heritage Centre to present to the World Heritage Committee at its 35th Session in 2011, an updated report on the effectiveness and efficiency of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism in the cases applied in view of assessing its formalization in the Operational Guidelines.

1. Having examined Document WHC-10/34.COM/7.2,

2. Recalling Decisions 31 COM 5.2, 32 COM 7.3 and 33 COM 7.2 adopted at its 31st (Christchurch, 2007), 32nd (Quebec City, 2008) and 33rd (Seville, 2009) sessions respectively,

3. Notes the update report on the implementation of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism;

4. Reiterates its request to the World Heritage Centre, via the Chairperson, to provide to the members of the World Heritage Committee a report on each activity undertaken within the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism as soon as it is available;

5. Decides to set the ceiling on the budget for the operation of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism at USD 100,000 starting from 2010 in order to cover the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism costs in relation to Decision 34 COM 7A.20;

6. Also decides to study, on a regular basis, the increase of the ceiling on the budget for the operation of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism;

7. Further decides to review the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism in 2011 and recalls its request to the World Heritage Centre to present to the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session in 2011 a report on the effectiveness of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism in view of its integration in the Operational Guidelines.

1. Having examined Document WHC-10/34.COM/7A.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 33 COM 7A.1 adopted at its 33rd session (Seville, 2009),

3. Regrets that the workshop to develop an emergency plan as requested by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session had not yet been organized but notes that it is planned for September 2010;

4. Notes with concern the continuing insecurity in the border area of the property with Chad and Sudan, resulting in persistence of poaching and illegal land use;

5. Reiterates its request to the State Party to strengthen trans-boundary cooperation with Chad and Sudan in order to control poaching and the other illicit exploitations of the natural resources;

6. Recalls its invitation to the Director-General of UNESCO and the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, to organize a meeting with the authorities of the Central African Republic, Chad and Sudan and the representatives of the African Union, competent sub-regional organizations and the Director General of IUCN to discuss progress made in addressing the deteriorating state of conservation, with the assistance of the World Heritage Fund and other funds, if needed;

7. Urges the State Party to develop and implement an emergency plan to restore the integrity of the property, in collaboration with all the stakeholders, based on the recommendations of the joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN mission of 2009; 

8. Warmly welcomes the reinforcement of field staff with the involvement of local communities in the surveillance operations of the property, and the support of the national army, to better cope with the many threats to the property;

9. Reiterates its request to the State Party to finalize, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and IUCN, the draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, including the conditions of integrity, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session in 2011;

10. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2011, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property and on the progress made in implementing corrective measures and other recommendations of the 2009 mission, as well as additional information on the proposed zoning of the property, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session in 2011;

11. Decides to continue application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism to the property;

12. Also decides to maintain the Manovo Gounda St Floris National Park (Central African Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-10/34.COM/7A,

2. Recalling Decision 33 COM 7A.4, adopted at its 33rd session (Seville, 2009),

3. Expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the three guards killed during protection operations at the property since its previous session;

4. Welcomes the efforts of the management authority, following the improvement of the security situation, to re-start law enforcement activities in priority areas, rehabilitate and re-occupy the different park stations as well as the actions taken to start addressing the illegal charcoal production in the park;

5. Acknowledges the steps taken by the State Party, which lead to an increased population of gorillas in the park and the resuming of tourism;

6. Expresses its deep concern with regard to the reported increasing involvement of elements of the Congolese army in the illegal exploitation of the natural resources of the property, in particular poaching, illegal fisheries and charcoal production, and urges the State Party to take the necessary action to address this issue;

7. Reiterates its concern with regard to the envisaged oil prospecting projects overlapping the property, recalls its position regarding the incompatibility of oil exploration and exploitation in respect of World Heritage status, and also urges the State Party not to authorize any project of prospection or oil exploitation.

8. Takes note of the important challenges which remain to allow for the restoration of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property and further urges the national and regional authorities to provide the necessary support to the management authority to address these challenges;

9. Requests the State Party to continue to implement the corrective measures adopted by the World Heritage Committee following the 2006 monitoring mission and the 2007 reinforced monitoring mission and calls upon the donor community to continue its financial support for these actions;

10. Further requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN reactive monitoring mission to evaluate the state of conservation of the property and progress achieved in the implementation of the corrective measures, for the establishment of a Desired State of Conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, updating the necessary corrective measures and the timetable for their implementation;

11. Proposes that the High Level Meeting be held as soon as possible with the World Heritage Centre and IUCN;

12. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2011, a report on the state of conservation of the property, including information on proposed oil exploration and exploitation projects overlapping the property, on the reduction of military positions inside the property, on appropriate measures taken to facilitate the relocation of occupants to appropriate zones, and on the status of flagship species in the property as well as progress accomplished in the implementation of the corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session in 2011;

13. Decides to continue to apply the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism to the property;

14. Also decides to maintain Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-10/34.COM/7A,

2. Recalls Decision 33 COM 7A.5, adopted at its 33rd session (Seville, 2009),

3. Congratulates the agents of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) for the efforts undertaken to safeguard Kahuzi-Biega National Park, often at great personal risk;

4. Notes with concern the fact that despite the efforts made by the Management Authority for the property, a large part of the property remains beyond control;

5. Regrets the lack of significant progress in the resolution of the illegal occupation of the corridor and the granting of mining concessions within the property;

6. Takes note of the conclusion of the mission, that the Outstanding Universal Value and especially the integrity of the property has been greatly degraded but that it was still present and could be restored;

7. Urges the State Party to implement the corrective measures as updated by the joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN reactive monitoring mission in 2009, to rehabilitate the Outstanding Universal Value of the property:

a) Evacuate the armed groups in the property and extend the area of surveillance to the whole property,

b) Close down all the illegal mining extraction operations in the property and officially cancel all the mining concessions encroaching on the property,

c) Evacuate the ecological corridor and initiate measures to restore plant species and connectivity,

d) Develop, in a participatory manner, and implement a zoning plan to resolve the issue of villages in the lowland sector, while maintaining the values and integrity of the property,

e) Continue the efforts to reactivate surveillance mechanisms, while ensuring control of the whole Park,

f) Complete and approve the management plan and ensure the means for its implementation;

8. Requests the establishment of an inventory of species retained as indicators for the Desired State of Conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, to determine the current state of the biodiversity in the property and to establish the base line to enable monitoring of the restoration of these values;

9. Reiterates its request to the State Party to limit to only local traffic the section of the road that crosses through the Park, to realign the main road so as to circumvent the property and to provide the management authority with the necessary resources to control and manage the traffic effectively;

10. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, before 1st February 2011, a report on the state of conservation of the property, including an update on the state of mining concessions granted in the property, progress achieved in the resolution of illegal occupation of the corridor, as well as progress in the accomplishment of the corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session in 2011;

11. Decides to continue to apply the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism to the property;

12. Also decides to maintain Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-10/34.COM/7A.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 33 COM 7A.6, adopted at its 33rd session (Seville, 2009),

3. Congratulates the officers of the Congolese Nature Conservation Institute (ICCN) for the efforts undertaken to safeguard the property often at great personal risk, but regrets that persistent insecurity since the 2006 mission has continued to obstruct the implementation of the corrective measures adopted by the Committee at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006);

4. Reiterates its concern with regard to the possible extinction of the Northern White Rhinoceros of which no trace could be currently found, despite intensive searches in the property and in the adjacent hunting areas, and requests the State Party to continue the intensive searches for a further year before declaring the definite extinction of the Northern White Rhinoceros;

5. Takes note of the conclusion of the mission that the Outstanding Universal Value of the property has been greatly degraded but that it, with the probable exception of the Northern White Rhinoceros, could be restored if adequate management measures for the park are established and maintained;

6. Expresses its great concern as regards the reports of increasing involvement of the Congolese Army in poaching activities in the property and the hunting reserves that surround it;

7. Urges the State Party to implement the corrective measures as updated by the 2009 joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN reactive monitoring mission, to rehabilitate the Outstanding Universal Value of the property:

a) Urgently undertake at the highest level measures to halt the involvement in poaching activities of the Congolese Army,

b) Ensure that the guards of the Management Authority are adequately equipped, in particular with appropriate weapons and ammunition,

c) Strengthen disarmament efforts within the communities living around the property and at the same time improve the security situation of the region, if possible in cooperation with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO),

d) Renew contacts with Sudan to strengthen transboundary cooperation with Lantoto National Park,

e) Ensure a team of at least 200 operational guards through the rapid retirement of older guards and by the replacement of those not attaining the required level,

f) Gradually extend the area of surveillance to include the totality of the Park area, and at least 20% of the hunting reserves by 2015,

g) Establish a conservation strategy for the hunting reserves so that they may fully play their role as buffer zone and in view of their importance in the conservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property,

h) Strengthen the community conservation activities to improve relations with local communities,

i) Complete and approve the management plan of the property and ensure the means for its implementation;

8. Also requests the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to finalize the draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value as well as the proposed Desired State of Conservation with a view to the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session in 2011;

9. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2011, a report on the state of conservation of the property, including an update on the progress achieved in the implementation of the corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session in 2011;

10. Decides to continue the application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism to the property;

11. Also decides to maintain Garamba National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-10/34.COM/7A,

2. Recalling Decision 33 COM 7A.7, adopted at its 33rd session (Seville, 2009),

3. Reiterates its concern about the delay in the implementation of the corrective measures established by the World Heritage Committee at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007), in particular the anti-poaching strategy and the joint operation between the Management Authority and the Congolese Army to clear poachers and armed groups from the property; 

4. Also expresses concern about lack of reporting on the assistance provided by the World Heritage Fund for the implementation of the anti-poaching operation;

5. Urges the State Party to intensify its efforts to implement the corrective measures and to report on a regular basis on its implementation as part of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism;

6. Requests the State Party to submit as soon as possible, but not later that 1 December 2010, information on the strategy to minimize and mitigate the impact of villages in the Park which is reported to have been developed, and on the agreements under discussion with the local communities on the use of the natural resources, as well as on the results of the consultations with the local communities and the preliminary studies conducted on the establishment of a corridor between the two parts of the property;

7. Reiterates its request to the State Party to develop, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and IUCN, a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value including conditions for integrity, as well as a proposal for the Desired State of Conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session in 2011;

8. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2011, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property and progress achieved in the implementation of all the corrective measures, in particular those regarding the organization of a combined anti-poaching operation in cooperation with the Congolese army to secure the property, and on the implementation of the anti-poaching strategy, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session in 2011;

9. Decides to continue to apply the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism to the property;

10. Also decides to maintain Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

I.

1. Having examined Document WHC-10/34.COM/7A.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 33 COM 7A.18, adopted at its 33rd session (Seville, 2009),

3. Recalling the relevant provisions on the protection of cultural heritage including the four Geneva Conventions (1949), the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict of 1954, the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972, the inscription of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls at the request of Jordan on the World Heritage List (1981) and on the List of World Heritage in Danger (1982), and the recommendations, resolutions and decisions of UNESCO,

4. Recalling the importance of maintaining the integrity and authenticity of the Old City of Jerusalem,

5. Affirming the necessity of cooperation to facilitate access to the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, including heritage sites therein, in the context of the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972, and recognizing in this regard the existing physical obstacles,

6. Affirming that nothing in the present decision, which aims at the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, shall in any way affect the relevant United Nations resolutions and decisions, in particular the relevant Security Council resolutions on the legal status of Jerusalem,

7. Thanks international donors for their generous contributions to the UNESCO Action Plan for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem and calls upon the international donor community to further support, through extra-budgetary funding, activities aimed at the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, in particular in the context of the Action Plan;

8. Requests the World Heritage Centre to make technical expertise and assistance available for the current and future conservation works foreseen in the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, taking into consideration the activities foreseen in the context of the Action Plan, as needed;

9. Recognizes the concerns raised about the Israeli archaeological excavations and works in the Old City and on both sides of the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, and asks the Israeli authorities to provide the World Heritage Centre with all relevant information and details about them, and also requests the World Heritage Centre to play a proactive role in this regard;

10. Encourages the Director-General to take the necessary measures, in consultation and cooperation with the concerned parties, to reactivate and reinvigorate the implementation of the short-, medium- and long-term objectives of the Action Plan, including training, education and cultural activities, and the preservation of sites and monuments of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls as inscribed on the World Heritage List;

11. Requests a joint World Heritage Centre/ICCROM/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission to the property as referred to in the Operational Guidelines to assess and advise on progress made in the implementation of the Action Plan and, in cooperation and consultation with the concerned parties, identify appropriate operational and financial mechanisms and modalities to strengthen technical cooperation with all concerned parties in the framework of the Action Plan;

12. Thanks the World Heritage Centre for the steps undertaken in the implementation of the Action Plan for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem and further requests it to report on this matter and on the state of conservation of the property at its 35th session in 2011;

II.

13. Recalling 176 EX/Special Plenary Meeting/Decision, adopted by the Executive Board of UNESCO at its 176th session, Decision 32 COM 7A.18 adopted at its 32nd session (Quebec City, 2008), and Decision 181 EX/5 (II) adopted by the Executive Board of UNESCO at its 181st session,

14. Reaffirming the purpose and spirit of the professional encounter at the technical level of 13 January 2008, as well as the follow-up meeting of 24 February 2008,

15. Noting the Sixth Reinforced Monitoring Report (February 2009) prepared by the World Heritage Centre,

16. Regretting the postponement of the follow-up meeting of experts which was scheduled on 12 November 2008, as called for in Decision 32 COM 7A.18, due to circumstances that have impeded Jordanian experts from having access to the Mughrabi Ascent site,

17. Recognizing the existence of deep concerns regarding the decision by the Jerusalem District Planning and Construction Commission on the town planning scheme for the Mughrabi Ascent,

18. Requests that, despite the decision mentioned in Paragraph 17, the process for the design of the Mughrabi Ascent be inclusive of all parties concerned, in accordance with the spirit and content of previous World Heritage Committee decisions;

19. Reaffirms in this regard that no measures, unilateral or otherwise, should be taken which will affect the authenticity and integrity of the site in accordance with the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972 and, as necessary, the relevant provisions of the UNESCO Conventions on the protection of cultural heritage;

20. Being aware that the process for the design of the Mughrabi Ascent, which allows for the taking into consideration of the designs submitted during the aforementioned professional encounter, is still under way, also requests the World Heritage Centre to follow closely, in the context of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism, the developments associated with this process;

21. Thanks the World Heritage Centre for facilitating the holding of the professional encounter at the technical level of 13 January 2008, as well as the follow-up meeting of 24 February 2008, between Israeli, Jordanian and Waqf experts, as requested by Decision 31 COM 7A.18;

22. Reiterates its request that the Israeli authorities continue the cooperation commenced with all concerned parties, in particular with Jordanian and Waqf experts;

23. Reaffirms the necessity of cooperation in order to arrange for access to the Mughrabi Ascent site, and reiterates the call on the Director-General to organize a follow-up meeting of experts as soon as possible, once the parties concerned have reached an agreement;

24. Takes note of the recent exchange of correspondence between Israel (letter dated 31 May 2009) and Jordan (letter dated 12 June 2009) aiming at reaching an agreement that may allow the Director-General to organize a follow-up meeting as soon as possible;

25. Decides to continue applying the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism for the state of conservation of the Mughrabi Ascent, and further requests a report from the World Heritage Centre at least every three months, until the 35th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2011;

III.

26. Decides to retain the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-11/35.COM/7.2,

2. Recalling Decisions 31 COM 5.2, 32 COM 7.3, 33 COM 7.2 and 34 COM 7.2, adopted at its 31st (Christchurch, 2007), 32nd (Quebec City, 2008), 33rd (Seville, 2009) and 34th (Brasilia, 2010) sessions respectively,

3. Notes the evaluation report on the implementation of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism presented and the detailed statistical analysis;

4. Also notes the recommendations presented in Part III of the above-mentioned document and reiterates the principle for operation, outlined in Decision 31 COM 5.2, that reinforced monitoring is a constant cooperative process with the State Party concerned, which will always be undertaken in full consultation and with its approval;

5. Draws the attention of States Parties which are also parties to the Hague Convention of 1954 and related protocols to the provisions for the protection of cultural properties in the event of armed conflict;

6. Decides that in exceptional situations when the normal mechanisms of the Convention are not sufficient, urgent action is required that cannot wait for a decision by the Committee, and there is a critical danger of the property losing its Outstanding Universal Value between sessions, the Director-General of UNESCO, in consultation with the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, can officially put forward concrete requests for action to the State(s) Party(ies), including requests for reports or missions, based on the information gathered and input provided by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;

7. Requests that mission reports be completed quickly and immediately made available to the Committee by the World Heritage Centre;

8. Also requests the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to report on actions taken under the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism, in the context of the State of Conservation Reports, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its next session;

9. Further requests that properties subject to the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism receive priority for international assistance if requested by the State(s) Party(ies).

1. Having examined Document WHC-11/35.COM/7A,

2. Recalling Decision 34 COM 7A.1, adopted at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010),

3. Notes with concern the insufficient progress in implementing the corrective measures adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session (Seville, 2009);

4. Notes with alarm that transhumant cattle have invaded a large part of the Park, and artisanal, small-scale mining are occurring within the property, which may threaten the integrity of the property;

5. Expresses its deep concern that the aerial surveys of the 2010 Programme for the Conservation and Rational Use of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa (ECOFAC) / MIKE (Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants) revealed that criteria (ix) and (x) are affected due to the disappearance of almost all key species of large mammals in the property, due to poaching and impacts of transhumant livestock;

6. Considers therefore that the Outstanding Universal Value of the property is seriously degraded, but that there is still potential for regeneration of wildlife populations from Village Hunting Zones (VHZ) nearby;

7. Requests the World Heritage Centre to support the State Party to organize a workshop to develop the emergency action plan to regenerate the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, and strongly encourages the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre an application for international assistance in this regard;

8. Reiterates its request that the States Parties of the Central African Republic, Chad and Sudan develop a common strategy to contribute to the regeneration of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property in a priority area of limited size;

9. Appeals to the International Community to provide financial and technical assistance for implementing the emergency plan;

10. Further considers that, in the absence of implementation of the emergency plan, the property will not meet in a very short time the conditions for removal of the property from the World Heritage List, under paragraph 192 of the Operational Guidelines;

11. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2012, a detailed report on the elaboration, financing and implementation of an emergency plan to save the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session in 2012;

12. Decides to continue to apply the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism to the property;

13. Also decides to retain the Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Central African Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-11/35.COM/7A.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 34 COM 7A.4, adopted at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010),

3. Extends its sincerest condolences to the families of the guards killed during operations to protect the property since its last session;

4. Welcomes the significant efforts made by the managing authority (ICCN), with the support of donors and conservation partners to implement the corrective measures despite very difficult conditions, especially the persistent problems related to the lack of security;

5. Expresses its deep concern at the alarming decline in numbers of most species of large mammals from 50% to 96%, with the exception of mountain gorillas, since the property was inscribed on the World Heritage List, and the persistent threats to the territorial integrity of the Park from illegal occupations;

6. Takes note of the conclusion of the mission that the Outstanding Universal Value of the property is seriously deteriorated, but could be recovered if the corrective measures are implemented, if a sustained period of good protection can be ensured, and if the Queen Elisabeth National Park in Uganda can continue to serve as a source of repopulation of large mammals for the property;

7. Reiterates its deep concern on the granting of the petroleum exploration permit in an area covering part of the territory of the property, and recalls its position on the incompatibility of petroleum exploration and exploitation with World Heritage status;

8. Also welcomes the decision of the State Party to suspend petroleum exploration in the property, following the commitments contained in the Kinshasa Declaration, pending a strategic environmental assessment, and urges the State Party to cancel any petroleum exploration permit within the boundaries of the property;

9. Urges the State Party to implement corrective measures as updated by the 2010 joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN reactive monitoring mission, and in accordance with the commitments contained in the Declaration of Kinshasa to rehabilitate the Outstanding Universal Value of the property:

a) Take steps at the highest level to stop the illegal exploitation of natural resources of the Park, particularly poaching, charcoal production and fishing by undisciplined members of the army and armed groups operating within the property,

b) Strengthen efforts to disarm armed groups operating in and around the property, in cooperation with the United Nations Organization Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO),

c) Close and remove immediately the Nyaleke army training and reunification camp within the Park, in accordance with the decision of the Minister of Defence,

d) Take measures at the highest level to enable the ICCN to continue without political interference, the peaceful evacuation of illegal occupants from the property,

e) Continue law enforcement focusing on priority areas, and maintain the measures taken in the context of the institutional reform to re-motivate the personnel of the Park,

f) Pursue communication and awareness-raising actions targeted towards the authorities and local populations,

g) Pursue actions to eliminate all production of charcoal within the property, and promote alternative energy sources;

10. Requests the MONUSCO to establish a waste management system for their camp in Rwindi within the property, and provide for the dismantling of the infrastructure of the camp upon termination of the mission;

11. Also takes note of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger prepared jointly by the 2010 World Heritage Centre/IUCN mission and the State Party;

12. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2012, a report on the state of conservation as well as on progress in implementing corrective measures, for consideration by the World Heritage Committee at its 36 session in 2012;

13. Decides to maintain the application of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism;

14. Also decides to retain the Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-11/35.COM/7A.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 34 COM 7A.5, adopted at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010),

3. Notes with satisfaction the substantial progress made in evacuating the armed groups from the property, increasing patrol coverage and closing down illegal mining areas;

4. Expresses its hope that necessary security conditions can now be progressively created to enable the managers of the property to progress in the implementation of the corrective measures;

5. Welcomes the approval of the general management plan and the June 2010 study to assess the different options to address the problem of the villages included in the lowland sector of the park;

6. Notes with concern that no progress was made in the resolution of the illegal occupation of the corridor and the granting of mining concessions, and urges the State Party to address these issues in line with the commitments made by the Prime Minister in the Kinshasa Declaration;

7. Requests the State Party to continue to implement the corrective measures as updated by the joint World Heritage Centre/ IUCN reactive monitoring mission in 2009, to rehabilitate the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;

8. Reiterates its request that the State Party conduct as soon as possible an inventory of species retained as indicators for the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, to determine the current state of the biodiversity in the property and to establish the base reference to enable monitoring of the restoration of these values and establish a timeline for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;

9. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2012, a report on the state of conservation of the property, including an update on the state of mining concessions granted in the property, progress achieved in the resolution of illegal occupation of the corridor, as well as progress in the accomplishment of the corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session in 2012;

10. Decides to continue to apply the Reinforced monitoring mechanism;

11. Also decides to retain Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-11/35.COM/7A.Add;

2. Recalling Decision 34 COM 7A.6, adopted at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010);

3. Welcomes the improvement of the general security situation and the improved cooperation of park staff with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) army stationed around the park, but remains concerned about the presence of some remaining groups of Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels in and around the property;

4. Also welcomes the progress made in implementing the corrective measures updated by the World Heritage Committee at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010) following the 2009 joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN reactive monitoring mission;

5. Reiterates its concern with regard to the possible extinction of the Northern White Rhinoceros of which there is no trace despite intensive surveys in the property and in the adjacent hunting areas, and considers that if its extinction is confirmed, other options, such as the possible cross breeding of the remaining captive animals with southern white rhino with a view to the possible future reintroduction, should be envisaged;

6. Urges the State Party, in view of the improving security situation, to step up the efforts to implement the corrective measures to rehabilitate the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;

7. Requests the State Party, based on the results of the forthcoming survey and in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to finalize the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger and update the required timeframe, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session in 2012;

8. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2012, a report on the state of conservation of the property, including an update on the progress achieved in the implementation of the corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session in 2012;

9. Decides to continue the application of the Reinforced monitoring mechanism to the property;

10. Also decides to retain Garamba National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.  

1. Having examined Document WHC-11/35.COM/7A.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 34 COM 7A.7, adopted at its 34rd session (Brasilia, 2010),

3. Reiterates its concern about the delay in the implementation of the corrective measures established by the World Heritage Committee at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007), in particular the anti-poaching strategy and the joint operation between the park's management authority (ICCN) and the Congolese Army to remove poachers and armed groups from the property;

4. Regrets that no information was provided on the strategy to minimize and mitigate the impact of villages in the Park, the agreements under discussion with the local communities on the use of the natural resources and the preliminary studies conducted on the establishment of a corridor between the two parts of the property as requested by the World Heritage Committee at its 34th session and urges the State Party to provide this information as soon as possible and before the requested reactive monitoring mission to the property, together with a copy of the draft of a General Management Plan;

5. Reiterates its request to the State Party to reinforce its efforts to implement the corrective measures, and to report on a regular basis on its implementation as part of the Reinforced monitoring mechanism;

6. Requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/IUCN reactive monitoring mission to evaluate the state of conservation of the property and progress achieved in the implementation of the corrective measures, to develop a draft Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger in cooperation with the State Party, and to update the corrective measures and the timetable for their implementation;

7. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1February2012, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property and progress achieved in the implementation of all the corrective measures, in particular those regarding the organization of a combined anti-poaching operation in cooperation with the Congolese Army (FARDC) to secure the property, and on the implementation of the strategy for anti-poaching, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 36th session in 2012;

8. Decides to continue to apply the Reinforced monitoring mechanism;

9. Also decides to retain Salonga National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

I

1. Having examined Document WHC-11/35.COM/7A.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 34 COM 7A.20, adopted at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010),

3. Recalling the relevant provisions on the protection of cultural heritage including the four Geneva Conventions (1949), the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict of 1954, the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972, the inscription of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls at the request of Jordan on the World Heritage List (1981) and on the List of World Heritage in Danger (1982), and the recommendations, resolutions and decisions of UNESCO,

4. Reaffirming that nothing in the present decision, which aims at the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, shall in any way affect the relevant United Nations resolutions and decisions, in particular the relevant Security Council resolutions on the legal status of Jerusalem,

5. Affirming the importance of maintaining the integrity and authenticity in the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls on both sides,

6. Affirms the necessity of cooperation to facilitate access to the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, including heritage sites therein, in the context of the UNESCO Conventions for the protection of the cultural heritage, and recognizes the concerns expressed regarding the restricting obstacles imposed by the Israeli authorities on the freedom of access;

7. Thanks international donors for their generous contributions to the UNESCO Action Plan for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem and both sides of its Walls, and calls upon the international donor community to further support, through extra-budgetary funding, activities aimed at the safeguarding of the integrity, and authenticity of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem and both sides of its Walls;

8. Requests the World Heritage Centre to make technical expertise and assistance available for the current and future conservation works foreseen in and around the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, taking into consideration the activities foreseen in the context of the Action Plan, as needed;

9. Regrets the Israeli refusal to comply with the World Heritage Centre and UNESCO decisions and requests Israel to timely cooperate and facilitate the implementation of the World Heritage Committee Decision 34 COM7A.20 which requests, inter alia, a joint World Heritage Centre/ICCROM/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission to the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls;

10. Also regrets the persistence of the Israeli archaeological excavations and works in the Old City of Jerusalem and on both sides of its Walls, and the failure of Israel to provide the World Heritage Centre with adequate and comprehensive information about its archeological activities thereon, and asks the Israeli authorities to cease such excavations and works in conformity with the UNESCO Conventions for the protection of cultural heritage;

11. Asks, in this regard, that the World Heritage Centre states in its relevant reports on the obstacles related to the provision of such information by the Israeli authorities and also requests the World Heritage Centre to play a proactive role;

12. Further requests the World Heritage Centre to apply the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism to the Old City of Jerusalem and on both sides of its Walls, and also requests that the World Heritage Centre validates in a concrete manner the flow of information provided by the concerned parties on the ongoing activities in and around the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls;

13. Encourages the Director-General of UNESCO to take the necessary measures, in consultation and cooperation with the concerned parties, to reactivate and reinvigorate the implementation of the short-, medium- and long-term objectives of the Action Plan, including training, education and cultural activities, and the preservation of sites and monuments of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls as inscribed on the World Heritage List;

14. Thanks the Director-General of UNESCO and the World Heritage Centre for steps undertaken in the implementation of the Action Plan for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem and further requests them to report on this matter and on the state of conservation of the property at its 36th session in 2012;

II

15. Recalling 176 EX/Special Plenary Meeting/Decision, adopted by the Executive Board of UNESCO at its 176th session, World Heritage Committee Decision 34 COM 7A.20, and relevant Executive Board decisions,

16. Noting the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Reinforced Monitoring Reports prepared by the World Heritage Centre,

17. Recognizes the concerns regarding the decision by the Jerusalem District Planning and Construction Commission on the town planning scheme for the Mughrabi Ascent and the subsequent decision by Israel's National Council for Planning and Construction to adopt "an alternative plan for the Mughrabi Ascent", approved on 31 October 2010 by the above-mentioned Commission;

18. Reaffirms, in this regard, that no measures, unilateral or otherwise, should be taken including those which may affect the authenticity and integrity of the site, in contravention with the relevant provisions of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict of 1954 and of the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972;

19. Acknowledges receipt of the Jordanian design for the restoration and preservation of the Mughrabi Ascent, submitted to the World Heritage Centre on 27 May 2011, and thanks Jordan for its cooperation, in accordance with the relevant provisions of UNESCO Conventions for the protection of cultural heritage;

20. Also reaffirms, in this regard, that the UNESCO process for the follow up of the design of the Mughrabi Ascent is to be coordinated with all parties concerned, in accordance with the spirit and content of previous World Heritage Committee decisions, despite the fact that Israel is informing the World Heritage Centre with its "alternative plan for the Mughrabi Ascent", and requests that the World Heritage Centre be proactive and follows closely, in the context of the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism, the developments associated with this process;

21. Notes with satisfaction the access providedby Israel to the Mughrabi Ascent for Jordanian and Waqf experts on 23 May, 8 August and 28 November 2010 and reiterates its request that Israel continues the cooperation commenced with all concerned parties, in particular with Jordanian and Waqf experts;

22. Reiterates the call on the Director-General of UNESCO to organize a follow-up meeting of experts as soon as possible, once the parties concerned have reached an agreement;

23. Decides to continue applying the Reinforced Monitoring Mechanism for the state of conservation of the Mughrabi Ascent, and further requests a report from the World Heritage Centre at least every three months, until the 36th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2012; 

III

24. Decides to retain the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1.  Having examined Document WHC-12/36.COM/7A,

2.  Recalling Decision 35 COM 7A.1, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),

3.  Thanks the State Party for the confirmation of its political willingness to restore the property, but notes the absence of concrete information in the State Party report, on the implementation of the corrective measures and their impact on the safeguarding of the property;

4.   Expresses its strong concern regarding the continuation of insecurity problems in the property due to the collateral effects of the Darfour conflict in Sudan, but also the recent positioning of the Ugandan rebels of the “Lord Resistance Army” (LRA);

5.  Reiterates its extreme concern with regard to the probable disappearance of almost all the flagship species of large mammals in the property due to poaching and the impact of transhumance cattle, which could bring to question the Outstanding Universal Value for which the property was inscribed;

6.  Takes note of the fact that there remains a potential, but a very fragile one, for regeneration of the populations of wildlife from the relic pockets of biodiversity adjacent to the property;

7.  Strongly urges the State Party to prepare an emergency action plan based on the corrective measures adopted by the Committee at its 33rd session (Seville, 2009) and the orientations described in the conclusion of the present report;

8.  Warmly welcomes the request for International Assistance to organize a workshop to develop an action plan and considers that the workshop should discuss the feasibility of regenerating the Outstanding Universal Value of the property under the present conditions of insecurity and should be urgently organized in cooperation with the World Heritage Centre and IUCN;

9.  Calls upon the States Parties of Chad and Sudan to cooperate in the preparation of a common conservation strategy, combat poaching and the management of transhumance;

10.  Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2013, a detailed report on the results of the workshop and preparation, funding and implementation of the management emergency plan for the safeguarding of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, as well as a report on the implementation of the corrective measures adopted, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 37th session in 2013;

11.  Decides to continue to apply the Reinforced monitoring mechanism to the property;

12.  Also decides to retain the Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Central African Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-12/36.COM/7A.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 35 COM 7A.3, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),

3. Regrets that the State Party of Guinea did not submit a conservation report on the property as requested by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session, making it impossible to assess the progress of the implementation of corrective measures;

4. Welcomes with satisfaction the dynamics of trans-boundary management of the property as practised by the State Parties of Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia, and reiterates its request to the State Parties of Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire to concretise this commitment to joint management of the property by implementing a common strategy for management and joint monitoring of Mount Nimba;

5. Notes with satisfaction the stabilization of the socio-political situation in Côte d’Ivoire and requests the State Party of Côte d'Ivoire to urgently ensure a presence on the property, resume the monitoring operations and reoccupy the bases closest to the site at Kouan-Houlé and Yéalé;

6. Notes the start of the implementation of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) by the Iron Ore Mining Company of Guinea and reiterates its request that the study be conducted in accordance with the highest international standards, and that it should quantify the potential impact of proposed mining on the property, in close consultation with all stakeholders, and to submit to the World Heritage Committee, any intermediate result;

7. Requests the State Parties of Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire to intensify their efforts to implement corrective measures, especially strengthening of surveillance;

8. Also requests the State Party of Liberia to submit to the World Heritage Centre the ESIA of the potential Arcelor Mittal mining project in Liberia, situated 20 kms from the property, and which could have negative effects on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;

9. Further requests the State Parties of Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire to invite a joint World Heritage Centre / IUCN mission to assess the state of conservation of the property, update the corrective measures and propose a timetable for their implementation, develop a proposal for the Desired State of Conservation in view of the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, and evaluate the progress of the ESIA by the Iron Ore Mining Company of Guinea;

10. Further requests both States Parties to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2013, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property and on progress in implementing corrective measures and other recommendations of the 2007 and 2008 missions, and on the progress of the ESIA by the the Iron Ore Mining Company of Guinea, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 37th session in 2013;

11. Decides to retain the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-12/36.COM/7A.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 35 COM 7A.22, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),

3. Recalling the relevant provisions on the protection of cultural heritage including the four Geneva Conventions (1949), the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict of 1954, the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972, the inscription of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls at the request of Jordan on the World Heritage List (1981) and on the List of World Heritage in Danger (1982), and the recommendations, resolutions and decisions of UNESCO,

4.  Reaffirming that nothing in the present decision, which aims at the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, shall in any way affect the relevant United Nations resolutions and decisions, in particular the relevant Security Council resolutions on the legal status of Jerusalem,

5.  Affirming the importance of maintaining the integrity and authenticity in the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls on both sides,

6.  Affirms the necessity of cooperation to facilitate access to the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, including heritage sites therein, in the context of the UNESCO Conventions for the protection of the cultural heritage, and recognizes the concerns expressed regarding the restricting obstacles imposed by the Israeli authorities on the freedom of access;

7. Thanks international donors for their generous contributions to the UNESCO Action Plan for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem and both sides of its Walls, and calls upon the international donor community to further support, through extra-budgetary funding, activities aimed at the safeguarding of the integrity and authenticity of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem and both sides of its Walls;

8. Requests the World Heritage Centre to make technical expertise and assistance available for the current and future conservation works foreseen in and around the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls, taking into consideration the activities foreseen in the context of the Action Plan, as needed;

9. Regrets the Israeli refusal to comply with the World Heritage Centre and UNESCO decisions and requests Israel to timely cooperate and facilitate the implementation of the World Heritage Committee Decision 34 COM 7A.20 which requests, inter alia, a joint World Heritage Centre/ICCROM/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission to the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls;

10.  Also regrets the persistence of the Israeli archaeological excavations and works in the Old City of Jerusalem and on both sides of its Walls, and the failure of Israel to provide the World Heritage Centre with adequate and comprehensive information about its archeological activities thereon, and asks the Israeli authorities to cease such excavations and works in conformity with the UNESCO Conventions for the protection of cultural heritage;

11. Asks in this regard, that the World Heritage Centre states in its relevant reports on the obstacles related to the provision of such information by the Israeli authorities and also requests the World Heritage Centre to play a proactive role;

12. Further requests the World Heritage Centre to apply the Reinforced monitoring mechanism to the Old City of Jerusalem and on both sides of its Walls, and also requests that the World Heritage Centre validates in a concrete manner the flow of information provided by the concerned parties on the ongoing activities in and around the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls;

13. Encourages the Director-General of UNESCO to take the necessary measures, in consultation and cooperation with the concerned parties, to reactivate and reinvigorate the implementation of the short-, medium- and long-term objectives of the Action Plan, including training, education and cultural activities, and the preservation of sites and monuments of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls as inscribed on the World Heritage List;

14. Thanks the Director-General of UNESCO and the World Heritage Centre for steps undertaken in the implementation of the Action Plan for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem and further requests them to report on this matter and on the state of conservation of the property at its 37th session in 2013;  

15. Decides to retain the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-12/36.COM/7A,

2. Recalls Decision 35 COM 7A.5, adopted at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011),

3. Welcomes with satisfaction the important progress reported by the State Party in the implementation of some corrective measures, notably the evacuation of the armed groups from the property and the increase in the area of surveillance, the closure of a large number of artisanal mining operations in the property and the resolution of illegal occupations in Bitale;

4. Notes with concern the absence of progress accomplished concerning the cancellation by the Government of land rights illegally granted in the property by the Land Titles and Cadastre Service as well as the mining concessions encroaching on the property granted by the Mining Cadastre;

5. Strongly urges the State Party to initiate a dialogue at the political level with the services of the State (Ministry responsible for the Cadastre and Land rights, Ministry for Mines, Provincial authorities) to reinforce efforts for the implementation of the updated corrective measures adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010), and particularly the immediate cancellation by the Government of land rights illegally granted in the property as well as mining concessions encroaching on the property, in conformity with the commitments undertaken in the Kinshasa Declaration;

6. Takes note of ongoing discussions with concerned populations on the zoning of the property and requests the State Party to ensure that the identified zoning options guarantee the conservation of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property and that they are submitted for consideration to the World Heritage Committee before any final decision is made;

7. Reiterates its request to the State Party to carry out as soon as possible a survey of the main populations of wildlife in the lowland sectors of the property to enable an assessment of the state of the Outstanding Universal Value and establishment of a timetable for the rehabilitation of the property;

8. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2013, a report on the state of conservation of the property, including an updated situation of the mining concessions and land rights granted on the territory of the property, progress accomplished in the resolution of the problem of illegal occupation of the ecological corridor and in the implementation of the corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 37th session in 2013;

9. Decides to maintain the Reinforced monitoring mechanism for the property;

10.  Also decides to retain the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

2. Recalling previous UNESCO decisions, including 176 EX/Special Plenary Meeting/Decision, Decision 34 COM 7A.20 of the World Heritage Committee adopted at its 34th session (Brasilia, 2010), and 187 EX/Decision 5 relating to the Ascent to the Mughrabi Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem,

3. Also recalling the relevant provisions on the protection of cultural heritage, including in the four Geneva Conventions (1949), the relevant provisions of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict of 1954, the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972, the inscription of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls at the request of Jordan on the World Heritage List (1981) and on the List of World Heritage in Danger (1982), and recommendations, resolutions and decisions of UNESCO,

4. Reaffirming the purpose and spirit of the professional encounter at the technical level on 13 January 2008, as well as the follow-up meeting on 24 February 2008,

5. Noting the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth and its Addendum, Tenth and Eleventh Reinforced Monitoring Reports prepared by the World Heritage Centre,

6. Recognizes the concerns raised in this regard about the decision by the Jerusalem District Planning and Construction Commission on the town planning scheme for the Mughrabi Ascent, and the  subsequent decision by Israel’s National Council for Planning and Construction to adopt “an alternative plan for the Mughrabi Ascent”, approved on 31 October 2010 by the above-mentioned Commission;

7. Requests that, despite the decisions mentioned in paragraph 6, the process for the design of the Mughrabi Ascent be inclusive of all parties concerned, in accordance with obligations and duties of such parties as stipulated in the content of previous World Heritage Committee decisions;

8. Reaffirms in this regard, that no measures, unilateral or otherwise, should be taken which will affect the authenticity and integrity of the site, in accordance with the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972 and the relevant provisions on the protection of cultural heritage of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict of 1954;

9. Notes the request made by the World Heritage Committee in previous decisions, and requests, in this regard, the Israeli authorities to continuecooperation with all concerned parties, in particular with Jordanian and Waqf experts;

10.  Acknowledges receipt of the Jordanian design for the restoration and preservation of the Mughrabi Ascent, submitted to the World Heritage Centre on 27 May 2011, and thanks Jordan for its cooperation in accordance with the relevant provisions of UNESCO conventions for the protection of cultural heritage;

11. Affirms in this regard, that the UNESCO-initiated process for follow-up to the design of the Mughrabi Ascent, which aims at proactively facilitating an accepted and monitored solution concerning the Mughrabi Ascent among all parties concerned, be coordinated with all such parties, in accordance with the spirit and content of previous World Heritage Committee decisions;

12.  Acknowledges in this regard, the concerns raised regarding Israel’s submission and content of its plan for the Mughrabi Ascent, referred to in paragraph 6, and requests the World Heritage Centre to be proactive and follow closely, in the context of the Reinforced monitoring mechanism, the developments associated with this process;

13. Notes with satisfaction the access provided by Israel to the Mughrabi Ascent for Jordanian and Waqf experts on 23 May, 8 August and 28 November 2010, and reiterates its request that Israel continues cooperation commenced with all parties concerned, in particular with Jordanian and Waqf experts to enable agreement on, and implementation of, a final design for the restoration and preservation of the Mughrabi Ascent among all parties concerned;

14.  Also notes in this regard, reports of preliminary discussions between Jordan and Israel concerning the Mughrabi Ascent, which stipulate, inter alia, that no measures, unilateral or otherwise, shall be taken on the site in accordance with paragraph 8 above, and the necessity of an accepted design and implementation thereof among all parties concerned;and reiterates in this regard, the need for the parties concerned to coordinate and cooperate on all related aspects of this issue;

15.  Encourages the Director-General to facilitate coordinated action and professional exchanges between all the parties concerned;

16.  Decides to continue applying the Reinforced monitoring mechanism for the state of conservation of the Mughrabi Ascent, and also requests a report from the World Heritage Centre every four months, until the 37th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2013.