Decision 45 COM 10C.1

Follow-up on the implementation of the Action Plans for the Third Cycle of Periodic Reporting in the Africa region

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/10C,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 10B adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/Online, 2021),
3. Welcomes the progress made in the follow-up of the implementation of the Third Cycle of Periodic Reporting Action Plan in the Africa region (2021-2027);
4. Expresses its appreciation to the African World Heritage Fund for its follow-up on the implementation of the Action Plan for Africa (2021-2027);
5. Notes with appreciation the financial contribution of the Governments of China, France, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and the Sultanate of Oman, to the activities carried out in the framework of the implementation of the Action Plan 2021-2027 for the Africa region;
6. Calls upon States Parties to financially and technically support the implementation of the Regional Action Plan for the Africa Region through follow-up activities with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the Advisory Bodies, the École du patrimoine mondial africain and the African World Heritage Fund;
7. Takes note with satisfaction of the creation of the African Site Managers Network, working to develop a network of African universities and five centres of excellence in each of the five subregions to empower local experts and better institutionalise capacity development in implementing the World Heritage Convention in Africa and, notably, in synergy with the other UNESCO Culture Conventions;
8. Requests the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, in collaboration with the Advisory Bodies, the African World Heritage Fund and with the support of States Parties, to continue its efforts to coordinate and implement the Regional Capacity Building Programme according to the Action Plan 2021-2027;
9. Acknowledges with appreciation that the Strategy for World Heritage in Africa was informed by an inclusive consultation process, which included the seven Arab States located in the African Continent, and that it is aligned with the regional Action Plans for Africa and the Arab States;
10. Also acknowledges with appreciation that the outcomes of the UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development – MONDIACULT 2022 (Mexico City, 2022), and the reflections undertaken at the international conference The Next 50 - The Future of World Heritage in Challenging Times, Enhancing Resilience and Sustainability (Delphi, 2022), as well as the Yaoundé Call to Action adopted at the Sub-Regional Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention in Central Africa (Yaoundé, 2022) have been taken into consideration in the implementation of activities carried out thereafter;
11. Further reminds States Parties of the Africa region, which have not already done so, to submit their Retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value by 1 February 2024 at the latest, as well as clarifications of boundaries by 1 December 2023 at the latest;
12. Reiterates its request to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre to monitor the implementation of the Regional Action Plan, in collaboration with the African World Heritage Fund, in view of preparing a mid-cycle assessment report to be presented to the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session.