Decision 45 COM 7A.41

Ancient City of Bosra (Syrian Arab Republic) (C 22bis)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decisions 44 COM 7A.19 and 44 COM 7A.24 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
3. Taking into account Decision 45 COM 7A.46, on the World Heritage properties of the Syrian Arab Republic,
4. Recalling the previously reported extensive illegal excavations at the site, reiterates its call upon the international community to collaborate for the sharing of inventories and documentation that could facilitate the return of looted cultural property;
5. Encourages the State Party to continue implementing emergency consolidation work at the property and to limit other restoration works until optimal restoration approaches have been determined;
6. Welcomes the project aimed at conducting the necessary studies for the rehabilitation of the Kalybe monument (Cradle of the King’s Daughter) funded through the World Heritage Fund, and requests the State Party to revise the project report in line with the technical review by ICOMOS and re-submit it for further technical review, and also requests the State Party to submit detailed information about the proposed anastylosis project, including project documentation and a Heritage Impact Assessment prepared in accordance with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, in conformity with Paragraphs 118bis and 172 of the Operational Guidelines for review by the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, prior to any final decision about the proposed works proceeding;
7. Taking note that the approval of the building code is progressing, recalls that the technical review also highlighted the need for the preparation of a site management plan and master plan, which are crucial to inform restoration decisions and ensure coordination among stakeholders and further requests the State Party to instigate these important projects as soon as circumstances allow;
8. Calls again on all States Parties to support emergency safeguarding and recovery measures, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
9. Reiterates the need for the invited joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission to be carried out as soon as the situation allows, in order to proceed with a comprehensive assessment of the state of conservation of the property;
10. Also encourages the State Party to pursue the elaboration of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), and a set of correctives measures, for potential examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session;
11. 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 and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session;
12. Decides to retain Ancient City of Bosra (Syrian Arab Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.