1. Having examined Documents WHC-08/32.COM/5, WHC-08/32.COM/INF.5A and WHC-08/32.COM/INF.5C,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 5.1 adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Takes note with appreciation of the results of the activities undertaken by the World Heritage Centre over the past year in pursuit of its five Strategic Objectives, and in particular the work underway to fully integrate local communities in every aspect of World Heritage site conservation and management;

4. Further notes with appreciation the results of the activities of IUCN, ICOMOS and ICCROM over the past year in support of the implementation of the Convention;

5. Notes that there are a range of emerging issues relating to workload, resourcing, governance and future challenges for the operation of the World Heritage Committee and the World Heritage Convention that would benefit from further exploration with the results of initial work to be discussed at the 33rd session of the World Heritage Committee.

6. Requests the World Heritage Centre to present at the 33rd session of the World Heritage Committee a summary statement of the issues addressed during the year and recommendations for improving the work of the Centre for the consideration of the Committee.

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/6A,

2. Recalling Decisions 29 COM 11C.1, 30 COM 11F and 31 COM 23B adopted at its 29th (Durban, 2005), 30th (Vilnius, 2006),and at its 31st (Christchurch, 2007) sessions respectively;

3. Takes note of the Report of progress made in the implementation of the African World Heritage Fund;

4. Expresses its appreciation to partners at all levels for their support, and their technical and financial assistance to the African World Heritage Fund;

5. Welcomes the report of the first advocacy meeting organized in Abuja (Nigeria) from 24-25 April 2008;

6. Notes the delay in collecting the funds from partners who have committed contributions;

7. Requests the Board of Trustees to engage staff dedicated to resource mobilization, including follow-up of commitments;

8. Calls upon the State Parties to the Convention, the African Union, the public and private institutions, the intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, to continue supporting and contributing to the African World Heritage Fund;

9. Appeals to the international community to support the African World Heritage Fund and its funding strategy so as to ensure that the targeted Endowment Fund is quickly consolidated to enable the Fund becoming operational;

10. Requests the African World Heritage Fund to submit a detailed progress report both on the African World Heritage Fund's activities and on the strategy for future activities of capacity building for the preparation of nominations and of tentative lists, as well as for conservation and management plans of African properties, for examination at its 33rd session in 2009.

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/6B,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 11C, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Takes note of the developments that have taken place with regard to the establishment of the Pacific World Heritage Fund;

4. Encourages the States Parties of the Pacific region to work with the World Heritage Centre on the development of this proposal, building on lessons learnt from the African World Heritage Fund and adapting it to the region's needs.

5. Invites the States Parties of the Pacific region to present a progress report on this initiative, for the consideration of the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009.

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7.1,

2. Recalling Decision 30 COM 9, adopted at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006) and thanking the States Parties of Israel and Switzerland for jointly hosting the International Expert Meeting on World Heritage and Buffer Zones (Davos, Switzerland, 11-14 March 2008) in cooperation with the World Heritage Centre;

3. Notes the detailed report provided by the expert meeting which reflects on a wide range of issues relevant to World Heritage and buffer zones and also notes the publication under preparation for the World Heritage paper series;

4. Requests the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to use the terms "property" and "buffer zone" in all documents, and to stop using the term "core zone".

5. Also requests the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to prepare draft revisions to the Operational Guidelines, taking account of the Committee's debate on the results of the International Expert Meeting on World Heritage and Buffer Zones by 1 December 2008, with particular emphasis on developing a lexicon of terms;

6. Further requests the World Heritage Centre to circulate these draft revisions to States Parties for comment, so that the proposed revisions can be submitted for consideration by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009.

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7.2,

2. Recalling Decision 29 COM 5D, adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005) and Resolution 15 GA 7, adopted at the 15th General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention (UNESCO, 2005),

3. Noting decision 179EX/25 regarding a "Proposal by the Director-General for the preparation of a revised recommendation concerning the safeguarding and contemporary role of historic areas" that includes a full preliminary study of the technical and legal aspects of the issue;

4. Commends the Advisory Bodies ICOMOS, ICCROM and IUCN, and partner organizations UIA (International Union of Architects), IFLA (International Federation of Landscape Architects), IFHP (International Federation for Housing and Planning), OWHC (Organization of World Heritage Cities) and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture for their continued support and participation in this important initiative;

5. Requests the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to prepare a plan of action and timetable, setting out the timeframe for developing new Orientation Guidelines on management of historic urban World Heritage properties including impact assessment tools, for submission to the Committee at its 33rd session in 2009.

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7.3,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 5.2 adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Notes the information provided on the activities carried out under the Reinforced Monitoring mechanism;

4. Requests, in light of the report on the implementation of the Reinforced Monitoring mechanism, the World Heritage Centre to develop a protocol for implementing the mechanism, to address:

          a) the frequency of reporting;

          b) the expected results of reporting;

          c) the distribution of reports;

          d) cost estimates and budget management.

          for examination by the World Heritage Committee at  its 33rd session in 2009;

5. Decides to allocate an amount of 50,000 USD for the implementation of the Reinforced Monitoring mechanism from the World Heritage Fund for 2008-2009.

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7A,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7A.1, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Expresses its utmost concern about the security situation in northern Central African Republic and its impact on the property, in particular the continued large scale poaching of wildlife, which could soon lead to the loss of the Outstanding Universal Value for which the property was inscribed on the World Heritage List;

4. Requests the Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee to contact the authorities of the Central African Republic to discuss conservation issues facing the property and necessary management measures;

5. Regrets that the planned joint World Heritage Centre / IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission had to be postponed again due to the insecurity;

6. Reiterates its request to the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre / IUCN Reactive Monitoring mission, as soon as the security situation allows, to assess the impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property and the potential for its rehabilitation and to develop an emergency action plan for the property, including the corrective measures, with all concerned stakeholders;

7. Encourages the State Party, in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre, IUCN, the ECOFAC programme and other relevant stakeholders, to hold a workshop to discuss a strategy to improve the protection of the values of the property prior to the mission, with funding from the World Heritage Fund;

8. Urges the State Party to take all measures possible to halt poaching in the property and, in collaboration with the States Parties of Chad and Sudan, to consider developing transboundary cooperation to address this issue;

9. Also calls upon the international community to further support urgent conservation measures to prevent the property from losing its Outstanding Universal Value;

10. Also reiterates its request to the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and IUCN, to develop a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value including the conditions of integrity and 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 33rd session in 2009;

11. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by             1 February 2009, a report on the state of conservation of the property, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

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

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7A.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7A.2, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Welcomes the improvement of the security situation in the property which could allow the management authority to regain control over the entire property in the near future;

4. Notes that some progress was made in the implementation of the corrective measures, in particular with regard to community outreach activities and reinforcing anti-poaching patrols;

5. Regrets that no ecological data were provided to assess the conservation status of the property and help define the boundaries of the management zones;

6. Urges the State Party to increase its efforts to fully implement all the corrective measures and recommendations of the 2006 Reactive Monitoring mission within the timeframe set at the 30th session of the World Heritage Committee (Vilnius, 2006), in particular regarding the completion and implementation of the management plan;

7. Calls upon the international community to financially support the management and rehabilitation of the property;

8. Request sthe State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and IUCN, to develop a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, including the conditions of integrity, and 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 33rd session in 2009;

9. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre a detailed report by 1 February 2009 on the state of conservation of the property and on the implementation of the corrective measures and other recommendations of the 2006 monitoring mission, including a copy of the draft management plan, an overview of current and projected budgets for the management of the property and information on available ecological data, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

10. Decides to retain Comoé National Park (Côte d'Ivoire) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7A.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7A.3, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Regrets that the State Party of Guinea did not submit the report on the state of conservation of the property and on progress in the implementation of the corrective measures and recommendations of the 2007 monitoring mission;

4. Notes the positive efforts of the State Party of Côte d'Ivoire to address the challenges facing the property ;

5. Also notes that the 2008 Reactive Monitoring mission to the portion of the property in Côte d'Ivoire observed that the Outstanding Universal Value appears to be maintained but that data on wildlife, in particular endangered species, is insufficient to evaluate the status of criterion(x);

6. A lso regrets that the State Party of Côte d'Ivoire did not inform the World Heritage Committee of the planned mining exploration in its part of the property, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;

7. Expresses its utmost concern about the planned mining activities in the Côte d'Ivoire part of the property and considers it incompatible with the World Heritage status of the property which, if implemented, would lead to the irreversible loss of the Outstanding Universal Value of this property;

8. Urges the State Party of Côte d'Ivoire to reconsider its plans for mining exploration or exploitation within the property and requests the State Party to confirm before the Committee's 33rd session in 2009 that all mining concessions within the property have been revoked;

9. Calls upon the holders of any mining concession covering the property to respect international standards with respect to mining in World Heritage properties, as outlined in the International Council on Mining and Metals Position Statement on Mining and Protected Areas (2003) and not to mine within World Heritage properties;

10. Urges the State Party of Côte d'Ivoire to implement immediately the recommendations of the 2008 joint World Heritage Centre /IUCN monitoring mission which can be considered as corrective measures:

                        a) re-establish the presence of the protected area authority Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Reserves (OIPR) within the property and resume management activities, establish cooperation mechanisms and strengthen communication with the local communities;

                        b) conduct a wildlife survey of key species to clarify the status of the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, and establish a comprehensive monitoring programme to monitor and control threats in particular from poaching;

                        c) define a buffer zone, in consultation with local stakeholders, with the appropriate legal status to strengthen the conservation of the property through sustainable management of the natural resources within this buffer zone;

                        d) develop a management plan in close cooperation with all stakeholders, in particular the local community, and harmonise this plan with the plan being developed in Guinea;

                        e) define a sustainable finance mechanism for the entire property together with the State Party of Guinea;

11. Encourages the State Party of Côte d'Ivoire, in cooperation with its development partners, to increase its support to improve the livelihoods of local communities;

12. Reiterates its request to the States Parties of Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea to meet and resume tripartite discussions with Liberia to enhance the required coordination which will be essential to implement the recommendations from the 2007 and 2008 monitoring missions. The States Parties may wish to request international assistance from the World Heritage Fund to organize a meeting before the 33rd session of the Committee;

13. Urges the State Party of Guinea to implement the corrective measures adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007) and the other recommendations of the 2007 monitoring mission;

14. Reiterates its request to the State Party of Guinea and the mining company SMFG to conduct the environmental impact assesment of the mining project, in accordance with the highest international standards and collect the necessary baseline data in order to clarify and quantify the potential impact of the planned exploitation on the property, in close consultation with all stake holders, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN, and to submit to the World Heritage Committee any intermediary results;

15. Requests the international community to assist by all possible means the States Parties of Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea to achieve the Desired State of Conservation of the property;

16. Also requests the States Parties, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value including the conditions of 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

17. Further requests the States Parties to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2009, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property and on progress in the implementation of the corrective measures and other recommendations of the 2007 and 2008 missions, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

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

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7A,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7A.4, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Expresses its sincerest condolences to the families of guards who were killed during operations related to the protection of the property;

4. Regrets that, despite the peace efforts undertaken by the State Party in the eastern part of the country, and the Peace Conference, permanent insecurity inside and around the property continues to hinder conservation activities;

5. Notes with concern the results and conclusions of the Reinforced Monitoring mission of August 2007 indicating that the Outstanding Universal Value for which the property was inscribed on the World Heritage List is becoming increasingly threatened and that the accumulating threats could have an irreversible impact on the property and its integrity;

6. Urges the State Party, in cooperation with the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), to implement the Act of Commitment adopted on 23 January 2008 at the end of the Goma Peace and Development Conference in the two Kivus that provides for the disarmament of all armed national and foreign groups in this region;

7. Requests the State Party to implement the urgent actions recommended by the Reinforced Monitoring mission of August 2007, in particular :

                        a) halt all production of charcoal inside the property and promote alternative sources of energy;

                        b) withdraw the non-strategic military postings;

                        c) take steps to improve security in the property and its periphery, and in this endeavour to seek any cooperation that may be extended, consistent with its mandate and capabilities, by MONUC;

                        d) ensure transparent management of income resulting from tourism and develop and implement a profit-sharing strategy with local communities;

                        e) strengthen communication activities and awareness raising for the authorities concerned and local populations;

8. Also requests the State Party to implement the other recommendations of the Reinforced Monitoring mission of August 2007, in particular the recommendations for the institutional strengthening of the management authority for the protected areas, ICCN, as well as the corrective measures adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 30th session (Vilnius 2006);

9. Brings to the attention of the State Party that the presence of the Nyaleke army training and reunification camp inside the property, as well as the granting of mining and oil exploration concessions endangers the integrity of the property;

10. Further requests the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value including the conditions of 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 33rd session in 2009;

11. Requests moreover the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, before 1 February 2009, a report on the state of conservation of the property, including an update on the disarmament of the armed groups within the property and information on monitoring the state of the threatened species, the extent of encroachment and deforestation in the region, and the level of poaching, as well as progress accomplished in the implementation of the recommendations of the Reinforced Monitoring mission and the corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

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

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

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7A,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7A.5, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Acknowledges with appreciation the positive efforts made by the State Party in addressing the challenges facing the property;

4. Also acknowledges the great financial and technical support provided for the conservation of the property by various partners;

5. Recognizes that challenges for the conservation of the property remain numerous;

6. Notes with concern the results of the preliminary inventory for the lowland sector, indicating the quasi-disappearance of the elephant, a 25% reduction in the gorilla population, continued poaching and artisanal mining operations in all the areas visited, as well as militia presence;

7. Requests the State Party, in consultation with ICCN, the management body for the protected areas, to continue with the implementation of the corrective measures adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006), in close cooperation with the local communities surrounding the property;

8. Urges the State Party, in cooperation with MONUC, to implement the Act of Engagement adopted on 23 January 2008 following the Goma Peace and Development Conference in the two Kivu that foresees the disarmament of all national and foreign armed groups in this region;

9. Reiterates its request for the immediate withdrawal of all mining concessions that have been granted within the property;

10. Also requests the State Party to transmit to the World Heritage Centre the revised version of the Environmental Impact Study concerning the refurbishment of the RN3 road containing new proposals on mitigation measures, before taking a final decision with regard to the project, in conformity with paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;

11. Further requests the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, including conditions of 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 33rd session in 2009;

12. Requests moreover the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, before 1 February 2009 a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property, including an update on the disarmament of armed groups within the property, the road refurbishing project, as well as progress achieved in the implementation of the corrective measures, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

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

14. 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-08/32.COM/7A,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7A.6, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Expresses its utmost concern as regards the results of the workshop on Survival Strategies for the Northern White Rhino that indicates that the sub-species is in imminent danger of extinction and notes the conclusion of the experts that only the capture and transfer to an appropriate and secure place, beyond the Congolese borders, presents sufficient guarantee for the survival of this sub-species;

4. Notes that a recent search mission has failed to locate any Northern white rhino and underlines the urgency of establishing the number of surviving rhino in the property;

5. Urges the State Party, if remaining Northern white rhino are located, to consider undertaking their translocation from Garamba National Park to a safe place ex situ, including beyond the Congolese borders, to guarantee the survival of the sub-species and with the objective of building up the population in situ as soon as the situation permits, and requests the State Party of the Czech Republic to facilitate the participation of the Dvur Kralove Zoo in this programme;

6. Also requests the State Party, in consultation with ICCN, the management body for the protected areas, to continue the implementation of the corrective measures adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006);

7. Calls upon the State Party to seek cooperation with the United Nations Organization Mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), within its mandate and capabilities, to assist the Park authorities in the framework of its deployment around the property and to support the conservation of the property, in particular as regards disarmament;

8. Further requests the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, including conditions of 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 33rd session in 2009;

9. Requests moreover the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2009, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property, and in particular on the situation regarding the requested translocation of the last northern white rhino to a secure place, as well as progress accomplished in the implementation of the corrective measures adopted, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

10. Decides to continue to apply the Reinforced Monitoring mechanism to the property;

11. 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-08/32.COM/7A,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7A.7, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Notes with concern reports of continued poaching, in particular poaching of elephants, by the army;

4. Expresses its satisfaction that the State Party has begun the implementation of some of the corrective measures established by the World Heritage Committee at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007), notably the organization, with support from the World Heritage Fund, of a mixed anti-poaching operation;

5. Requests the State Party, in cooperation with ICCN, the management body for the protected areas, to urgently pursue the implementation of the corrective measures, and to propose a timetable for their implementation;

6. Reiterates its request to the State Party to develop, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, including the conditions of 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 33rd session in 2009;

7. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by               1 February 2009, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property and progress achieved in the implementation of all the corrective measures, with a proposal for a timetable for their implementation, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

8. Decides to continue to apply the Reinforced Monitoring mechanism to the property;

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

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7A,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7A.8, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Notes with concern the preliminary results of the inventory, showing substantial reductions in the population of flagship species, including elephants and okapis, thus significantly impacting the Outstanding Universal Value of the property;

4. Welcomes the progress achieved in regaining management control over the property and in addressing poaching and small-scale mining in the property;

5. Requests the State Party, in consultation with ICCN, to continue to implement the corrective measures adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 30th session (Vilnius 2006);

6. Regrets that the environmental management plan developed for the rehabilitation of the RN4 road crossing the property is not addressing the long-term impacts on the integrity of the property and expresses its concern about the increase in illegal exploitation of forest products in the vicinity of the Reserve, in particular timber and bush meat has already been reported;

7. Urges the State Party to develop an additional environmental management plan for the RN4 to address the long term impacts, in particular to control increased immigration into the property and increasing wild meat trade and to provide three printed and electronic copies of it, as soon as it is ready, for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;

8. Reiterates its request to revoke any mining concessions that might have been granted in the property;

9. Also requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre / IUCN mission to the property after the high-level meeting is held in Kinshasa to assess its state of conservation and progress in the implementation of the corrective measures in view of establishing the Desired state of conservation for a removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, update the corrective measures required and set a timeframe for their implementation;

10. Also reiterates its request to the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value including the conditions of integrity and 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 33rd session in 2009;

11. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2009, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property and progress in the implementation of the corrective measures as well as the requested additional environmental management plan for the RN4, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

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

13. Also decides to retain Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7A.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7A.9, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Notes the request of the State Party to postpone the monitoring mission requested at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007) to allow for more time to implement the corrective measures;

4. Requests the State Party to continue to implement the corrective measures adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006) and, in particular, to mobilize the necessary funding for and start the implementation of the management plan, which includes the strategy to address the grazing pressure and the alternative livelihoods project, as soon as it is finalized;

5. Calls upon the international community to financially support the implementation of the management plan and encourages the State Party to organize a donor conference with the assistance of the World Heritage Centre, the UNESCO Office in Addis Abeba and IUCN to identify potential donors and funding. The State Party might want to apply for assistance from the World Heritage Fund to organize this conference;

6. Takes note of the initial draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value and Desired state of conservation prepared by the State Party and requests the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to assist the State Party in finalizing them;

7. Also requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre / IUCN mission to the property to assess its state of conservation and progress in the implementation of the corrective measures adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006) in view of a possible removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;

8. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2009, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property and progress in the implementation of the corrective measures and the other recommendations of the 2006 monitoring mission, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

9. Decides to retain Simien National Park (Ethiopia) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7A.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7A.3, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Expresses its utmost concern about the continued degradation of the Outstanding Universal Value for which the property was inscribed on the World Heritage List, in particular the reduction in key wildlife populations and the degradation of the vegetation cover as well as about the renewed insecurity in the northern part of the property, which is hampering efforts by the State Party to halt this degradation;

4. Appreciates the support already provided by the international donor community and calls upon it to increase its support to the State Party for the protection and ecological restoration of the property;

5. Notes the State Party's interest in holding a regional workshop looking at the impact of conflict on natural resources and biodiversity in the region and encourages the State Party to collaborate with partners to hold such a workshop with a focus on improving security and protection of World Heritage properties during times of conflict;

6. Requests the State Party to organize, in cooperation with the IUCN Species Survival Commission and its relevant specialist groups, a comprehensive survey of the property, in particular populations' size and distribution of threatened species in order to evaluate the status of its Outstanding Universal Value and to develop population recovery and rehabilitation programmes;

7. Urges the State Party to continue its work on the corrective measures adopted at its 29th session (Durban, 2005);

8. Reiterates its request to the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value including the conditions of 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 33rd session in 2009;

9. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by               1 February 2009, a report on the state of conservation of the property, including on the status of the vulnerable species and ecosystems, as well as progress in the implementation of the corrective measures and the implementation of the COGERAT project, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

10. Decides to retain Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Niger) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7A.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7B.1, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Regrets that the State Party has not been able to implement the urgent corrective measures within the 12 month timeframe set at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007) and that no information was provided on the status of wildlife populations or on progress in addressing threats from illegal logging, road construction, the proposed dam at Mako on the Gambia river, and potential mining exploration and exploitation in the region;

4. Urges the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre the priority action plan that was developed and to provide information on its efforts to establish a private public partnership for the urgent implementation of the plan;

5. Calls upon the international donor community to continue to support the implementation of the corrective measures set by the World Heritage Committee;

6. Requests the State Party and UNDP to report on the results and progress of the Integrated Ecosystem Management Programme (PGIES);

7. Also urges the State Party to speed up the implementation of the corrective measures and in particular the urgent measures recommended by the World Heritage Committee at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007);

8. Reiterates its request to the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value including the conditions of integrity, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

9. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by               1 February 2009, a detailed report on the state of conservation of the property, including the status of wildlife populations, and on progress in implementing the corrective measures, information on the implementation of the priority action plan and status of the envisaged public private partnership, the current status of the proposed dam on the Gambia river as well as any potential mining activities in the region, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

10. Decides to retain Niokolo-Koba National Park (Senegal) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7A,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7A.11, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Notes the conclusion of the mission that the Outstanding Universal Value of the property has been significantly impacted by the past civil strife and that recovery had only just started and was still in its initial stages;

4. Considers the presence of viable populations of all key species and a clear upward trend of these populations as key elements of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger;

5. Commends the State Party, in particular the Bodoland Territorial Council and the management authority, for their efforts to implement the corrective measures adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 29th session (Durban, 2005), but notes however that further work is still needed;

6. Urges the State Party to complete the implementation of the corrective measures and conservation activities, as follows:

a) urgently conduct a baseline survey on recovery of wildlife populations and set up a full monitoring system which will allow monitoring and documenting the recovery of the flagship species;

b) resolve the problem of fund release which did not progress significantly since the last mission;

c) complete the work for the reconstruction and improvement of the park infrastructure;

d) fill the remaining vacant positions in the park by recruiting the best elements of the volunteers, and/or others, into permanent staff positions;

e) strengthen and consolidate park management operations, in particular the efforts for reducing illegal logging and wildlife poaching in Panbari Range;

f) continue the efforts for reintroduction of the one-horned rhino and assess the need and feasibility for a restoration programme of the swamp deer;

7. Welcomes the initiative of the Bodoland Territorial Council to increase the protection status of the remaining high value reserve forests outside the property;

8. Requests the State Party to implement the other recommendations of the 2007 mission, in particular finalising the management plan, developing a capacity building programme for park field staff as well as local stakeholders and developing a regional vision on tourism taking into account the limited carrying capacity of the property;

9. Reiterates its request to the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value including the conditions of integrity and a proposal for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, based on the results of the requested baseline survey, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

10. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by         1 February 2009, a report on the state of conservation of the property, in particular on progress in the implementation of the corrective measures and other recommendations of the 2007 mission, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

11. Decides to retain Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (India) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7A,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7B.35, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Reminds the State Party that the state of conservation report has to be submitted in one of the two working languages of the World Heritage Convention (French and English);

4. Commends the State Party for progress achieved on the implementation of some of the key corrective measures in the Action Plan produced in response to the Presidential Decree No. 270, on its continuing success in the area of control and eradication of introduced species and on the progress made in establishing and capitalizing the Galapagos Invasive Species Trust Fund, and urges the State Party to continue their implementation;

5. Also urges the State Party to undertake a rigorous and transparent process whereby the position of the Galapagos National Park Service Director is filled without delay and underscores the importance of ongoing institutional and political commitment to avoid further instability of this position ;

6. Requests the State Party to include in future reports sufficient quantitative information to objectively assess the actual impacts in the field of the activities implemented towards addressing the conservation, social and development problems affecting the property and provide a definite timeframe for its completion;

7. Notes with concern that fundamental conservation issues and conflicts associated with the key threats that justified the inscription of this property in the List of World Heritage in Danger remain;

8. Reiterates its request to the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value including the conditions of integrity and a proposal for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, based on the results of the requested baseline survey, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

9. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2009, a comprehensive report on the state of conservation of the property, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009, with particular emphasis on the identified corrective measures in its 15 point Action Plan. The report should also address the concerns noted above, along with progress on the various actions tasked by the Presidential Decree No. 270;

10. Decides to retain the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7A.Add.2,

2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7A.15, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),

3. Commends the State Party for its continued efforts for the conservation and rehabilitation of the property, and particularly for the development of improved mechanisms for community involvement in the rehabilitation and the maintenance of the property;

4. Acknowledges receipt of a Statement of significance and a Statement of authenticity/ integrity, but regrets that these are not in conformity with the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, including the conditions of authenticity and integrity, as outlined in the Operational Guidelines;

5. Notes with concern that the report does not provide detailed and explicit information on the progress made on delineating boundaries for the two components of the property and their buffer zones; requests the State Party to undertake this exercise as a matter of urgency and encourages the State Party to submit, if necessary a request for International Assistance for this purpose;

6. Notes with concern the challenges faced by the property from climate change, leading to among others beach erosion;

7. Notes the danger posed to heritage by these challenges and their overwhelming nature;

8. Requests partners to continue to assist the State Party financially and technically to address these challenges;

9. Reiterates its request to the State party to use the management plan as the main vehicle for managing the site and for ensuring co-ordination of all activities affecting the property;

10. Adopts the following as the Desired state of conservation for the property in view of its future removal from the List of World Heritage in Danger:

       a) at least 70% rehabilitation of the heritage monuments;

       b) surveyed and demarcated boundaries as well as the extension of the property to include Kilwa Kivinje and Sanje ya Kati;

       c) established proper land-use plan;

       d) demonstrate progress in the implementation of the management and the conservation plan;

       e) fully established on-site administrative structures;

       f) halted sea-wave action;

11. Adopts the following timeframe for the implementation of the above-mentioned corrective measures:

     a) changes within two years:

         i) delineate the boundaries for the two components of the property and their buffer zones to be submitted for consideration by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session in 2011;

     b) changes within three years: i) implementation of the management plan should be advanced, and there should be signs of added rehabilitation of architectural heritage;

        ii) management structures should be well established in each serial site with an operational office and staff;

        iii) establishment of a proper land-use plan to protect sites integrity and resolve future land conflicts;

     c) changes within five years: i) recovery of most of the architectural heritage for conservation should have been completed (though full recovery will take much longer and will require sustained effort for over a decade);

12. Invites the State Party to consider an extension of the property to include Kilwa Kivinje and Sanje ya Kati and recommends that the State Party submit this extension with the delineation of the boundaries for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session in 2011;

13. Also requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to assist the State Party in developing the previously requested Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, including the conditions of integrity and authenticity, and in exploring how to ensure that the site's management plan can function as the key, central co-ordinating mechanism in managing the property, and finally to assess the progress made in improving the state of conservation of the property;

14. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2009, a report on the state of conservation of the property, including the progress in implementing the corrective measures, and the re-evaluation of the timeframe for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

15. Decides to retain the Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara (United Republic of Tanzania) on the List of World Heritage in Danger