Decision 43 COM 8B.5

Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex (Thailand)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Documents WHC/19/43.COM/8B.Add and WHC/19/43.COM/INF.8B2.Add,
2. Recalling Decisions 39 COM 8B.5 and 40 COM 8B.11 adopted at its 39th (Bonn, 2015) and 40th (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016) sessions respectively,
3. Noting the efforts of the State Party to address the matters identified by the Committee at its 39th and 40th sessions;
4. Taking note of the technical agreement reached by the States Parties of Thailand and Myanmar on the delineation of the boundary of the nominated area based on the Technical Meeting between the two concerned States Parties held in Bangkok on 25 and 26 April 2019;
5. Also taking note of the progress made by the State Party on the adoption of legislation aimed at addressing the concerns of the rights and livelihoods of the local communities including the Karen within the Kaeng Krachen National Park;
6. Refers the nomination of Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, Thailand, back to the State Party in order to allow it to:
   1. revise the boundaries of the property based on agreement between the States Parties of Thailand and Myanmar;
   2. prepare and submit a revised comparative analysis demonstrating that the reduced area of the nominated property would be sufficient to meet criterion (x), including the related conditions of integrity, protection and management,
   3. demonstrate that all concerns have been resolved, in full consultation with the local communities, in accordance with paragraph 123 of the Operational Guidelines;
7. Encourages the ongoing dialogue between the State Party and the Advisory Body and recommends that the State Party invites an IUCN Advisory mission to assist in the preparation of the additional information requested under paragraph 6;
8. Also encourages the States Parties of Thailand and Myanmar to work in partnership on future biological connectivity opportunities and collaborative efforts on conservation between the nominated property and the proposed protected area in Myanmar, in accordance with paragraph 6 above.