Decision 45 COM 7B.78

Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park (Sudan) (N 262rev)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decisions 42 COM 7B.99 and 44 COM 7B.179 adopted at its 42nd (Manama, 2018) and the extended 44th (Fuzhou/online, 2021) sessions, respectively,
3. While noting that the formal adoption of the Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for the property was constrained by the unstable political situation and its full implementation by the lack of financial resources, welcomes the 80% implementation of the IMP by the Wildlife Conservation General Administration and its partners, and requests the State Party to update the IMP for a 5-year period, ensure its implementation, and secure adequate funding, as soon as possible;
4. Also recalling the reported activities of international dive operators causing damage to coral reefs, disturbance to wildlife, and negative impacts on visitor experience, also welcomes ecotourism guidelines for diving activities and permit requirements for dive operators in the property, takes note of steps taken towards developing a written code of conduct for diving operations in the property, and reiterates its request to the State Party to continue its efforts, including by:
   1. Establishing a clear code of conduct for diving operations in the property,
   2. Establishing effective communication with dive operators, both national and international, to raise awareness about the established rules and regulations and encourage best practice in line with international standards,
   3. Establishing appropriate mechanisms, such as a licensing system, to avoid violations,
   4. Ensuring regular patrolling to monitor any vessels operating within either component of the property;
5. Notes with appreciation the various marine research activities on mangroves, coral reefs, and sea turtles and encourages the State Party to use the findings to inform monitoring and management priorities for the property, including as part of the next IMP;
6. Also notes with appreciation the various expert workshops held in 2021 and 2022, and also encourages the State Party to implement the expertise shared and to continue building the management capacity for the property through training and knowledge exchange opportunities;
7. Recalls that any proposed extensions of the property should follow the appropriate procedures for boundary modification and/or re-nomination as per the Operational Guidelines, and further encourages the State Party to seek technical advice from IUCN if required;
8. Further welcomes that no formal permissions have been given for the development of a resort inside the boundaries of the property and reminds the State Party to inform the World Heritage Centre of any intention to undertake or authorize new constructions, which may affect the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, and to ensure any potential impacts on the OUV are assessed in line with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, before making any decision that would be difficult to reverse, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
9. Also 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.