Decision 46 COM 7A.7

City of Potosi (Bolivia, Plurinational State of) (C 420)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decisions 44 COM 8B.66 and 45 COM 7A.18 adopted at its extended 44th (Fuzhou, 2021) and extended 45th (Riyadh, 2023) sessions respectively,
3. Takes note of the efforts made by the State Party to implement the previous Committee decisions and the technical advances made to meet the corrective measures for achieving the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR);
4. Also takes note of the “Critical Route to remove Potosí from the World Heritage List in Danger and the preservation of Cerro Rico de Potosí,” which declares the Cerro Rico in emergency status, as well as the establishment of the Management Committee focusing on the implementation of the Integrated and Participatory Management Plan (IPMP) with the participation of various stakeholders, including civil society;
5. Expresses its concern over the insufficient implementation rate of the IPMP and requests again the State Party to ensure its full implementation with adequate resources in place;
6. Notes the process for the legalization of the Minor Boundary Modification proposal for the establishment of the property’s buffer zone, and urges again the State Party to finalize the proposal in accordance with recommendations provided by the Committee in its Decision 44 COM 8B.66, and to submit the proposal to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies and approval by the World Heritage Committee, in conformity with paragraphs 163 and 164 of the Operational Guidelines, as soon as possible;
7. Notes with satisfaction the preservation efforts of the Kari Kari water system’s lagoons and encourages the State Party to ensure continuous rigorous monitoring of the lagoons;
8. Further notes the agreement between the Autonomous Municipal Government of Potosí (GAMP) and the Tomás Frías Autonomous University for the preservation of the cultural heritage of the historical areas of the City of Potosí, training programs for future professionals, updating legislation, and establishing a digital database and requests the State Party to provide further information on the initiatives implemented;
9. Also expresses its concern for the lack of significant actions to ensure the consolidation and enforcement of the legal framework and regulations related to the entire property;
10. Welcomes the progress achieved regarding the stabilization and monitoring of the slopes of Cerro Rico, the dry filling of sink holes, and the relocation of minors, and urges again the State Party to prioritize the definitive closure of mining sections above 4,400 meters above sea level;
11. Notes with satisfaction the technical reviews conducted by the GAMP for safeguarding reservoirs and mining facilities, and that 55 mining mills were inventoried and will be regularly inspected;
12. Expresses utmost concern in view of the prolonged inscription of the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger, the proposed extension of the timeframe outlined for the completion of all corrective measures within the IPMP to January 2026;
13. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2025, 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;
14. Decides to retain City of Potosí (Bolivia (Plurinational State of)) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.