Decision 45 COM 7B.142

Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a) (Jordan) (C 1093)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7B.129 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
3. Welcomes the State Party’s efforts in updating and expanding the content of the 2017 Management Plan, revising the priority ranking of the Implementation Action Plan, and making the Plan available in Arabic, and encourages the State Party to maintain this momentum and submit the draft updated Management Plan for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, when completed;
4. Reiterates its request to the State Party to submit the final conservation project proposal for the Stylite Tower as soon as possible for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, and urges the State Party to continue monitoring the conservation situation closely;
5. Notes the detailed survey carried out of the Castrum, but reiterates its concern that the urgent conservation work at the Castrum identified in the Management Plan and highlighted in the new survey drawings does not appear to have taken place (including urgent conservation work to the south wall and the already excavated gates and walls);
6. Requests the State Party to provide greater detail and plans of the proposed ‘rehabilitation’ of six churches (The Peacock Chapel, Church of the Lions, Church of Priest Wa’il, Church of the River, Church of the Palm Tree and Church of Saint Paul) and the construction of wooden shelters and platforms, including the extent and nature of the work and an assessment of the potential impact on Outstanding Universal Value;
7. Commends the State Party on the repair and augmentation of the visitor signage and the protective measures at wells to ensure public safety;
8. Also commends the State Party on the steps being taken to address illegal excavation and also requests information on the extent of illegal excavation taking place, and on the effectiveness of the camera and lighting system once installed and operating,
9. Also welcomes the State Party’s undertaking to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Advisory mission, possibly when the draft updated Management Plan is finalized and approved;
10. Also encourages the State Party to continue to review the boundaries of the buffer zone in keeping with the 2017 Management Plan and, if necessary, propose minor boundary modifications;
11. Further 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.