Decision 45 COM 7B.202

Arslantepe Mound (Türkiye) (C 1622)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 8B.22 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
3. Expresses its solidarity with the State Party of Türkiye and its people for the devastating effects of the earthquakes that took place in February 2023, assures the State Party of the availability of the Convention assistance mechanism to support affected World Heritage properties and invites the State Party to call upon them;
4. Takes note of the progress reported by the State Party and requests that it continues working on the issues identified at the time of inscription of the property, giving priority to the completion and submission of the relevant documentation for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, before adoption:
   1. The conservation strategy and plan, specifically including a cautious strategy for anticipated research and excavations, that determines protocols, priorities and procedures for all forms of conservation, excavation and maintenance interventions needed for the property,
   2. A comprehensive risk assessment and risk preparedness plan, including details of baseline data and monitoring protocols, and the use of periodic photographic documentation,
   3. A revision of the current management plan with specific reference to the conservation plan and strategy and the risk preparedness plan;
5. Also notes the State Party’s reports on planned archaeological, conservation and interpretation projects and its commitment to submit the revised design of the project for extension and alteration of the new roof shelter and rainwater drainage project for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies prior to its implementation, and further requests the State Party to:
   1. Continue to undertake survey work to determine the exact extension of archaeological findings, particularly towards the north and west of the property, and that basis submit a report on the results of such investigations to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies,
   2. Submit an assessment of the state of conservation of the previously excavated areas that remain unsheltered and develop cautious conservation measures to address any deficiencies,
   3. Extend the Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) of the proposed visitor centre to include the Associated social facility and carry it out in accordance with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context and await its review by the Advisory Bodies before taking any decision on its implementation;
6. Reminds the State Party to inform the World Heritage Centre in due course, and before making any decisions that would be difficult to reverse, of its intention to undertake or authorize any major developments that may affect the Outstanding Universal Value of a World Heritage property, in line with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
7. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property, including on the impact of the earthquakes in February 2023, and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session.