Decision 44 COM 7B.162

Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System (Argentina, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru) (C 1459)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/21/44.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 42 COM 7B.33, adopted at its 42nd session (Manama, 2018),
3. Commends the six States Parties for their work, with collaboration and support of the UNESCO/Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Preservation of the World Cultural Heritage (JFIT), particularly for the high level of participation of the indigenous peoples and local communities on the activities conducted, through the workshops and meetings held, and, the tools developed such as the “Manual for the Conservation of Archaeological Structures in Earth and Stone”;
4. Expresses its appreciation for the commitment of the Technical Committee and its continuous coordinated work despite the ongoing pandemic circumstances, and acknowledges the transfer in 2019 of the Pro Tempore Secretariat, from Argentina to Bolivia, as an expression of political coordination to guarantee the long-term management of the property;
5. Notes with appreciation the diagnosis on the progress of the implementation of the Management System undertaken by the six States Parties and the preparation of the "Glossary of Concepts and Technical Terms of Management for the Qhapaq Ñan, Andean Road System, World Heritage” concerning a standardization of common vocabulary, and strongly encourages the six States Parties to continue working in a coordinating manner, to address the management challenges of the property;
6. Requests the States Parties to finalize and validate the updated document of the International Management System, and submit it for review by the World Heritage Center and the Advisory Bodies as soon as it is available;
7. Also takes note of the finalization of the Management Plans of 4 sections corresponding to Peru (Puente Q'eswachaka; Cusco - La Raya Section (Cusco - Desaguadero), Ollantaytambo. Lares - Valle Lacco section, and Vitkus Section –Choquequirao), and also requests the States Parties to follow a common methodology and framework for the remaining local management and conservation plans that need to be submitted;
8. Also commends the States Parties for the development of two mobile applications: “Kamayuq” for the monitoring and evaluation of risks, and “AYLLU” for the monitoring of state of conservation, as strategies towards a comprehensive conservation and management system of the property, and also encourages them to continue with their development and to adopt and implement them when the tools are fully tested;
9. Further requests to fully implement the documents approved and adopted at the international workshop on risk preparedness and disaster management, held in Cusco in October 2018;
10. Takes note of the 'Action Program for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Associated with Qhapaq Ñan' document, and similar actions that strengthens the monitoring system for the property, and further encourages the States Parties to continue their efforts towards the implementation of a complete operating monitoring system;
11. Also takes note of the advances on the definitions of attributes that are the base of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, and the Terms of Reference for the elaboration of Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs), and requests furthermore the States Parties to submit the document “Common Guidelines for the realization of Heritage Impact Assessments” for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;
12. Recalls that any major infrastructure or major project need to be properly assessed in terms of their possible impacts on the property’s OUV, authenticity and integrity, and the necessity to develop and submit the corresponding Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) of the projects for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies before any projects are approved or works undertaken, and recommends to the State Party of Peru to consider the recommendations made by ICOMOS regarding the construction of the Chinchero-Cusco International Airport;
13. Requests moreover the States Parties to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2022, an updated joint 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.