Decision 44 COM 7B.7

Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site (Kenya) (C 1450rev)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/21/44.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 42 COM 8B.14, adopted at its 42nd session (Manama, 2018),
3. Welcomes the information provided by the State Party concerning progress made to extend the property boundary at its south-eastern end near the entrance of Koketch, and that processes for land acquisition are expected for completion in 2020, and encourages the State Party to ensure that the rights of communities are respected in the processes of land acquisition;
4. Notes that defining and legally approving the exact demarcation of the buffer zone will be undertaken following the completion of the extension of the property boundary;
5. Also encourages the State Party to continue to incorporate information on the cultural values of the property in the database maintained by the National Museums of Kenya, including associated oral traditions and conservation actions;
6. Further encourages the State Party to continue to implement the monitoring system for the property, including indicators associated with visitor management issues, and invites it to provide details about the selection of indicators and reporting methodology to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
7. Requests the State Party to ensure that all planned projects or works, including infrastructure to support tourism, are subject to Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) in conformity with the ICOMOS Guidance on HIAs for Cultural World Heritage Properties (2011), and that information on any planned projects that could have an impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property is forwarded to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
8. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2022, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session.