Decision 44 COM 7B.179

Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park (Sudan) (N 262rev)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/21/44.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 42 COM 7B.99, adopted at its 42nd session (Manama, 2018),
3. Welcomes the finalization and adoption of the Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for the property by the Wildlife Conservation General Administration, however regrets that its implementation has been delayed due to financial constraints and COVID-19-related closure of the property, and requests the State Party to submit the finalized IMP to the World Heritage Centre, and ensure its implementation, including to secure adequate funding, as soon as possible;
4. Also recalling the reported activities of international dive operators causing damage to coral reefs, disturbance to wildlife, and negative impacts on visitor experience, also welcomes the progress made to establish formal rules and regulations for dive operators, fines, and awareness raising activities in consultation with local dive operators and stakeholders, and also requests the State Party to continue its efforts, including by:
   1. Establishing a clear code of conduct for diving operations in the property,
   2. Establishing effective communication with dive operators, both national and international, to raise awareness about the established rules and regulations and encourage best practice in line with international standards,
   3. Establishing appropriate mechanisms, such a licensing system, to avoid violations,
   4. Ensuring regular patrolling to monitor any vessels operating within either component of the property;
5. Notes with appreciation the various expert workshops held in 2018 and 2019, and encourages the State Party to implement the expertise shared and to continue building the management capacity for the property through training and knowledge exchange opportunities;
6. Also notes with appreciation the planned declaration of Sha'ab Roumi as Sudan's third Marine Protected Area (MPA) and the intention to propose this for inclusion as part of the property, and reiterates that any proposed extensions should follow the appropriate procedures for boundary modification and/or re-nomination as per the Operational Guidelines, and also encourages the State Party to seek technical advice from IUCN if required;
7. Also regrets that the State Party has not provided further information on the reported permissions given by the Red Sea State for the development of a resort inside the limits of the property, and urges the State Party to provide information on this issue, and to inform the World Heritage Centre of any intention to undertake or authorize new constructions which may affect the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, before making any decision that would be difficult to reverse, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
8. Further 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.