Decision 46 COM 7A.16

Hatra (Iraq) (C 277rev)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decisions 45 COM 7A.28 and 45 COM 7A.30 adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
3. Commends the efforts undertaken in the implementation of previous Committee Decisions and corrective measures for the achievement of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), as adopted by the Committee in Decision 45 COM 7A.28;
4. Encourages the State Party to pursue the implementation and completion of other corrective measures as a priority, and to seek any necessary further support, in particular for:
   1. Reinforcing site security (installation of surveillance cameras),
   2. Repairing damage resulting from conflict (completing the temporary transport of archaeological finds to be photographed and catalogued, as well as ensuring their adequate storage and protection),
   3. Assessing risks at monuments indirectly impacted by the conflict and addressing vulnerabilities, including through assessment, studies and urgent stabilization (diagnostic studies and planning for restoration works at the Temples of Samya, the Triad, and Allat; priority interventions at the Temples of Shahiru and Allat; preparation of a Conservation Plan for the central Temenos area);
5. Acknowledges with appreciation the efforts undertaken in addressing the recommendations of the 2023 joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission, and reiterates its request to further implement the mission’s recommendations, in particular addressing the following:
   1. Elaboration of a monitoring programme, coupled with a capacity building programme to implement it,
   2. Preparation of the Conservation Plan for the central Temenos area, and subsequent selection of pilot interventions and monitoring them over time to assess their efficacy;
   3. Further assessment of potential threats, such as those that may be related to archaeological remains, in the area between the inner and outer city walls as necessary, and accordingly elaboration of additional possible protection measures,
   4. Initiating the preparation of a site Management Plan that includes consideration requirements related to management and conservation, and a Visitor Management Plan,
   5. Preparation of a strategy and allocation of resources for documentation management;
6. Taking note of the State Party’s intention to submit a boundary clarification for the property, also encourages the State Party to consider the elaboration of a Minor Boundary Modification proposal for the designation of a buffer zone, for added protection of the property, in conformity with paragraphs 163-164 of the Operational Guidelines;
7. Recalls the need for the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, detailed information on all planned and ongoing works that may have an impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, including Heritage Impact Assessments prepared in accordance with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context for any major projects, and to do so before making any decisions that will be difficult to reverse, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
8. Calls again on all States Parties to support emergency safeguarding measures, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
9. 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;
10. Decides to retain Hatra (Iraq) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.