Decision 46 COM 7A.17

Samarra Archaeological City (Iraq) (C 276 rev)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decisions 45 COM 7A.29 and 45 COM 7A.30 adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
3. Expresses its appreciation for the establishment of a framework for the implementation of the recommendations of the 2023 joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission, comprising a strategic approach in three phases, and encourages the State Party to pursue its implementation as soon as possible, particularly with regard to surveys, documentation, assessments, conservation planning, and the establishment of an on-site management unit;
4. Reminds the State Party of its obligation to respond to and report on the requests made in previous Decisions of the Committee;
5. Reiterating its concern for the condition of the property, particularly with regard to its damaged and deteriorated state arising from the impact of encroachment, urban sprawl and bulldozing activities, in addition to natural deterioration and weathering, acknowledges the proposed actions outlined by the State Party and, consistent with Decision 45 COM 7A.29, urges again the State Party to give priority to actions related to detailed documentation and assessment of threats and damage incurred at the property, along with photographic documentation of all affected monuments, including a detailed report on bulldozed areas and encroachments, for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;
6. Reiterates its request to the State Party that interventions be addressed within the framework of an overall assessment of damage and risks, and that a comprehensive Conservation Plan be prepared in full consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, while in the meantime, any emergency stabilization or conservation work should adhere to the principles of minimal intervention and only be undertaken in critical cases where there is threat of further accelerated damage and collapse;
7. Requests the State Party to consult with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies regarding the establishment of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), with the related corrective measures and timeframe for implementation;
8. Also reiterates its request to the State Party to proceed according to the technical reviews undertaken for works carried out in the Great Mosque, the Caliphal Palace, Al Hir, and the Bab al‘Amma, and the possible construction of two primary schools within the buffer zone of the property;
9. Further reiterates its request to the State Party to continue submitting 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;
10. 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;
11. Decides to retain Samarra Archaeological City (Iraq) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.