Decision 45 COM 8B.33

Highlands of the Mongolian Altai (Mongolia)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Documents WHC/23/45.COM/8B, WHC/23/45.COM/INF.8B1 and WHC/23/45.COM/INF.8B2,
2. Defersthe examination of the nomination of the Highlands of the Mongolian Altai, Mongolia, in order to allow the State Party to prepare a fully revised and expanded nomination, with the advice of the Advisory Bodies and the World Heritage Centre, if requested, to:
   1. With regard to cultural values:
      1. Gather, compile and appraise all existing information and knowledge about the archaeological landscape and detected archaeological remains beyond the ten documented sites as a basis to confirm the potential of the nominated property to demonstrate Outstanding Universal Value,
      2. Develop a programme for systematic inventorying and documentation of archaeological remains and features of the archaeological landscape,
      3. Refocus the narrative of the nomination on the archaeological dimensions of the landscape,
      4. Consider whether the currently proposed boundaries for the nominated property are adequate on the basis of the above-mentioned appraisal and if needed, revise them;
   2. With regard to natural values:
      1. Establish complete and up-to-date species data for the nominated property to ensure a comprehensive assessment of the potential species richness of the nominated property and an accurate and revised comparative analysis demonstrating potential Outstanding Universal Value,
      2. Consider including the full extent of Altai Tavan Bogd National Park and Siilkhem Mountain National Park Part A, as well as adding Siilkhem Mountains National Park Part B in the nominated property to ensure a more complete representation of wildlife values and to improve connectivity should the up-to-date species data confirm Siilkhem Mountains National Park Part B as an essential element to justify criterion (x),
      3. Include in the management plan, through the ongoing revision of the current 2020-2024 management plan for the nominated property, a wildlife monitoring plan for threatened species and to prevent illegal activities, as well as a tourism management plan for key routes for low-impact tourism, zones and attraction areas, according to their carrying capacities, and including the installation of adequate visitor control mechanisms and monitoring arrangements,
      4. Increase funding and staffing levels for the implementation of the revised management plan,
      5. Ensure Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments are conducted as needed, in line with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, for development plans, projects and linear infrastructure, including the transnational road between Siilkhem Mountain National Park Part A and Part B and any planned mining project within the nominated property, its buffer zone and/or its wider setting, while noting the Committee’s established position that mining exploration and exploitation are incompatible with World Heritage status;
3. Recommends the State Party to:
   1. Ensure that the entire archaeological landscape is covered by protection designations that include protection mechanisms to protect archaeological sites and remains and preserve the potential for future archaeological research,
   2. Clarify the governance of the nominated area and the role of all relevant administrations to ensure that decision-making about activities within the nominated property, its buffer zones and wider setting takes into account the potential Outstanding Universal Value of the nominated property,
   3. Reinforce the World Heritage Administration Office of the Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai in terms of resources to enable it to manage effectively the whole archaeological landscape,
   4. Expand the management plan being prepared for the petroglyphs to cover all archaeological remains and the archaeological landscape as a whole,
   5. Ensure that spatial and development plans align with the objectives of the management plan so as to avoid possible future developments harming the attributes of the potential Outstanding Universal Value of the nominated property,
   6. Continue the efforts undertaken to involve the communities using and inhabiting the nominated property to ensure its effective protection and management,
   7. Ensure that any proposed developments that may impact on the potential Outstanding Universal Value of the nominated property are assessed for their potential impacts, in line with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, prior to taking any decision that would be difficult to reverse,
   8. Explore the possibility of including criterion (ix) based on a comprehensive global comparative analysis, given the nominated property represents the most complete sequence of altitudinal vegetation zones in central Siberia, and further considering its significant hydrological integrity;
4. Considers that any revised nomination would need to be considered by an expert mission to the site;
5. Notes with appreciation the State Party’s efforts to take a comprehensive and integrated approach to protecting both the cultural and natural values of the nominated property.