Decision 31 COM 21C

World Heritage Programme on Earthen Architecture

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-07/31.COM/21C,
2. Welcomes the proposal to implement an integrated programme of activities in support of earthen architectural heritage and recognizes the potential of this programme to contribute towards the sustainable development of traditional settlements which could provide considerable benefits to local communities;
3. Decides to allocate USD 80,000 from the World Heritage Fund as seed money for the implementation of Phase 1 of the Programme (namely, USD 40,000 from the 2006-2007 budget, and USD 40,000 from the 2008-2009 budget);
4. Encourages the World Heritage Centre to seek extra budgetary funds for the implementation of the proposed Programme activities;
5. Also encourages the World Heritage Centre to use local institutions and human capacity already developed in the regions to drive the programme;
6. Further encourages the World Heritage Centre to ensure the transfer of management of the programme to the regions within the first four years of the commencement of the programme; for Africa however the management of the programme should be done from the region by the School of African Heritage (EPA) and the Center for Heritage Development in Africa (CHDA), as well as established heritage institutions, with advice from CRATerre-ENSAG, ICCROM and ICOMOS;
7. Calls for potential donors and States Parties to provide financial support for the implementation of Programme activities;
8. Requests the Director of the World Heritage Centre to prepare a report on the programme objectives and a costed multi-year programme for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009.