Decision 39 COM 7B.69

Kathmandu Valley (Nepal) (C121bis)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-15/39.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 37 COM 7B.65, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
3. Expresses its profound sympathy and deepest condolences to the State Party of Nepal for the tragic loss of life and damage caused to the property, following the devastating earthquake of 25 April 2015;
4. Takes note of the information provided by the State Party, the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies concerning the actions undertaken in response to the devastating earthquake and acknowledges the efforts made by the Department of Archaeology of Nepal to ensure the safeguarding of the property in spite of the difficulties being experienced;
5. Considers that the extensive damage of the earthquake to the property represents both ascertained and potential danger, in accordance with paragraphs 177 to 179 of the Operational Guidelines;
6. Requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission at an appropriate time, and by 1 December 2015, to consider the state of conservation of the property and the further development of the emergency action plan;
7. Calls upon the international community to provide financial and technical support to the State Party of Nepal in protecting, conserving and restoring the World Heritage property of Kathmandu Valley following the earthquake;
8. Also requests 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, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016.