Decision 46 COM 7A.11

Old Towns of Djenné (Mali) (C 116rev)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 45 COM 7A.22 adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
3. Commends the State Party on its efforts to maintain constant management and conservation of the property, in particular through the adoption of Law No. 2022-034 of 28 July 2022, establishing the system for the protection and promotion of national cultural heritage;
4. Appreciates the sustained efforts of the Cultural Mission in the census and inventory of houses in the old urban fabric, and reiterates its request to the State Party to present a sample of this inventory and to clarify its scope;
5. Notes with satisfaction all the efforts made by the community to engage in the maintenance of the property, in particular the mobilization in favour of better sanitation of the town, as well as by the Cultural Mission to support the maintenance of houses and in particular for the emergency work carried out on the Gartahou, the village chief's house, but expresses its concern about the persistent problem of insufficient technical and financial resources for the Cultural Mission and the Municipality of Djenné, and requests the State Party to increase budgetary allocations to better meet all the management and conservation needs of the property;
6. Thanks the State Party for having submitted an International Assistance request for the updating of the Management and Conservation Plan (Plan de gestion et de conservation) for the property, following the expiry of the previous plan in 2022, and requests the State Party to reactivate the operation of the Management Committee for the property set up in 2014;
7. Also thanks the State Party for having successfully mobilized International Assistance to address the illegal occupation of the riverbanks, and requests the State Party to pay special and sensitive attention to the adherence and involvement of the local community in this initiative;
8. Expresses its concern about the stagnation of activities foreseen under the corrective measures to be implemented in 2023, such as the installation of bollards in areas where artefacts are concentrated and the strengthening of monitoring to prevent looting, and strongly encourages the State Party to regain momentum in the implementation of activities in order to put in place the necessary corrective measures;
9. Encourages the State party to draw up a guide for the maintenance of houses and to ensure that rehabilitation works comply with standards in terms of techniques, compatibility of materials and suitability for the use of the dwelling, with the aim of preserving the authenticity of the property while promoting the documentation of each intervention;
10. Expresses its appreciation for the progress made in the development of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), and requests that it be submitted for adoption at its next session in 2025;
11. 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;
12. Decides to retain Old Towns of Djenné (Mali) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.