Decision 45 COM 7B.199

Petroglyphs of Lake Onega and the White Sea (Russian Federation) (C 1654)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 8B.44 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
3. Takes note of the progress accomplished by the State Party and requests as a matter of priority that it:
   1. Confirm that the entirety of the two components of the property have been afforded the highest legal protection by being included in the State Code of Especially Valuable Properties of Cultural Heritage of the Peoples of the Russian Federation,
   2. Provide detailed information on the archaeological sites that have been included in the two components of the property,
   3. Confirm the establishment of the State Centre for the Management, Conservation and Study of the Petroglyphs of Karelia;
4. Also requests the State Party to build on the establishment of a centralized management system and submit an augmented and strengthened Management Plan and associated Action Plan, to include:
   1. A full Conservation Plan as the basis for a well-planned and long-term conservation approach, with associated detailed action plan and dedicated resources,
   2. The Risk Management and Research Plans,
   3. A visitor/tourism strategy,
   4. Details of baseline data and monitoring protocols for conservation work, risk assessment, visitor satisfaction, community indicators and broader environmental indicators,
   5. Details of how the new digital documentation system underpins the management system;
5. Further requests the State Party to monitor developments around the property that may have an impact on its landscape, integrity and archaeological potential, and assess these through impact assessments based on the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, and in accordance with Paragraphs 110, 118bis and 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
6. Reminds the State Party to inform the World Heritage Centre in due course about any major development project that may negatively impact the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, before any irreversible decisions are made, in line with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
7. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2024, 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 47th session.