The World Heritage Committee,
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Having examined Document WHC-15/39.COM/7A,
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Recalling Decision 38 COM 7A.28, adopted at its 38th session (Doha, 2014),
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Welcomes the confirmation by the State Party that no mining concessions or exploration permits exist within the property, and that geothermal energy will not be developed within the property, and requests the State Party to submit the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the license for the development of geothermal energy adjacent to Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, which should include an assessment of potential impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, in line with IUCN’s World Heritage Advice Note on Environmental Assessment;
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Notes with appreciation that the closure of illegal small-scale gold mines has been initiated, and also requests the State Party to ensure the full closure of all illegal gold mines within the property, and the rehabilitation of affected areas;
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Also notes with appreciation that no new road development has occurred within the property, and noting the continued pressure for the development of roads for evacuation and improving connectivity in the areas surrounding the property, urges the State Party to expedite the implementation of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) requested by the Committee (Decision 36 COM 7A.13) and to submit the completed SEA to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2017, for review by IUCN;
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Further requests the State Party to make a clear and unequivocal commitment to ensure that the Aceh Spatial Plan will not have any negative impacts on the property and on key areas within the Leuser Ecosystem that are critical to the integrity of the property;
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Requests furthermore the State Party to provide further information on the actions taken to improve law enforcement, and to provide statistics on trends of illegal activities, including poaching and encroachment;
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Requests moreover the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2016, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, including clear scientific data to demonstrate progress in meeting the indicators of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), in particular in relation to law enforcement, forest cover, and population trends of key species, including tiger, elephant, rhino and orangutan, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016;
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Decides to retain the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Indonesia) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.