Decision 45 COM 7A.19

Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Panama) (C 135)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.36 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
3. Acknowledging the important contribution of the project funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) for the conservation and management of the property, takes note of the commitment expressed by the State Party to implement the full set of corrective measures;
4. Also takes note that the original timeframe to reach the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) is no longer suitable, and requests the State Party to provide regular updates to the World Heritage Centre on progress in the negotiation with the IADB to extend the loan until 2025, and to update the roadmap and timeframe for achieving the DSOCR;
5. Further takes note of the State Party’s submission of a proposal for the establishment of a buffer zone for the property as a Minor Boundary Modification for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its current 45th session under Agenda Item 8;
6. Welcomes the completion of the Community Development Plan of Portobelo, but regrets that little progress has been made in the elaboration of the new integral Management Plan for the serial property and its buffer zones, and also requests the State Party to strengthen the efforts that would allow for the plan’s completion in 2022 and to submit the document once finalised to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
7. Also welcomes the works and projects to improve the quality of life of the residents of the town of Portobelo and the completion of the new Land Management Plan, and further requests the State Party to submit the plan to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
8. Further welcomes the works and projects oriented towards the consolidation, conservation and restoration of the elements that make up the two components of the serial property and those related to the visitor centre and natural trails in San Lorenzo, and notes the State Party’s submission of the documentation for these works and projects to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
9. Welcomes furthermore that steps to include Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) in World Heritage properties are in progress, and requests furthermore that a HIA for the visitor centre be carried out as soon as possible and the results submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
10. Requests moreover 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 and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session;
11. Decides to retain the Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Panama) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.