Decision 42 COM 7A.15

Tomb of the Askia (Mali) (C 1139)

The World Heritage Committee,

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