Decision 46 COM 7A.15

Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Iraq) (C 1130)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decisions 45 COM 7A.27 and 45 COM 7A.30 adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
3. Acknowledges with appreciation the efforts of the State Party to establish a partnership for the preparation of the previously requested Conservation and Site Management Plans, as also recommended by the 2022 joint World Heritage/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission, and requests the initiation of these activities as soon as possible in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;
4. Recalling that the property has been suffering from water seepage and environmental degradation for some time, continues to encourage the State Party to pursue consultations with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to prioritise urgent maintenance and stabilisation actions for damaged and deteriorated components, while also recalling that emergency stabilisation work should only be undertaken in cases where collapse or further damage is imminent and according to the principle of minimal intervention;
5. Reiterates its request to the State Party to implement the recommendations of the 2022 mission, with particular regard to:
   1. Carrying out regular maintenance activities, following testing in a pilot area and monitoring over a certain period,
   2. Submitting a detailed report on all planned and ongoing interventions carried out and their priority to the World Heritage Centre, noting that all interventions must be integrated into the comprehensive conservation plan for the property,
   3. Undertaking site protection measures, including the prevention of uncontrolled access, as well as installing a fence and proper signage that does not negatively impact the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property;
6. Also reiterates its request to the State Party that all interventions be addressed within the framework of the overall comprehensive Conservation Plan for the property to be prepared as a matter of priority;
7. Further reiterates its request to the State Party to ensure the permanent cancellation or relocation of the Makhool Dam project, given its potential impact on the OUV of the property;
8. Reiterates furthermore its request to the State Party to continue to submit to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, detailed information on all future works that may have an impact on the OUV of the property, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
9. Encourages the State Party to pursue the elaboration of the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, and the necessary corrective measures, in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies;
10. Reiterates its call on all States Parties to support emergency safeguarding measures, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
11. Also 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 Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Iraq) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.