Decision 45 COM 7B.144

Ouadi Qadisha (the Holy Valley) and the Forest of the Cedars of God (Horsh Arz el-Rab) (Lebanon) (C 850)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7B.131 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
3. Acknowledges the progress made by the State Party, despite a difficult financial and social context;
4. Welcomes with satisfaction the progress made by the State Party in implementing the Action Plan with the "Rehabilitation Valorization of Ouadi Qadisha" project, which has improved accessibility, conservation and presentation at Mar Assia and Deir el-Salib, and the restoration of the frescoes;
5. Takes note of other activities programmed with the support of the UNESCO Office in Beirut, which provide support with appropriate solutions for the sustainable development of the property, improving the livelihoods of the populations while contributing to the promotion of responsible tourism, as recommended by the 2012 mission;
6. Welcoming the results of the project concerning access to Hadshit cemetery, recalls the importance of establishing a management and coordination system that involves all stakeholders;
7. Notes that the revision of the boundaries of the property and of the buffer zone has been temporarily interrupted due to economic and financial constraints, reiterates its request to the State Party to finalize this revision in close consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies as soon as the situation permits, and to submit it in the form of a Minor Boundary Modification, in accordance with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines, and invites it to submit a request for international assistance to the World Heritage Fund for this purpose;
8. 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.