The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A,
- Recalling Decisions 45 COM 7A.42 and 45 COM 7A.46 adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
- Welcomes the progress accomplished in planning the recovery of the property, notably through the projects for early recovery planning and ‘digital transformation’, which are driven by strong participatory approach and largely targeting the involvement and benefit of communities, and through which numerous activities are being planned and implemented in view of sustainably developing the property;
- Welcomes with satisfaction that the committee in charge of developing the Master Plan for the property is being formed, noting that this plan will address major issues related to the preservation of the property such as building control, rehabilitation works, and maintaining historical and environmental integrity, notably by establishing restoration standards, promoting craftsmanship and the provision of traditional construction materials, and carrying out restoration works;
- Requests the State Party to submit a draft version of the integrated plan for the preservation and development in the property to the World Heritage Centre for examination by the Advisory Bodies before finalization, to ensure that the city’s development contributes to the well-being of communities and to the conservation of cultural heritage;
- Welcoming the information provided on the rehabilitation of Khan Suleiman Pasha, as previously requested, and while acknowledging the quality of the reported restoration work for the most part, nevertheless regrets that the project was not submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by Advisory Bodies before works commenced, and also requests that prior to proceeding with the conversion of this structure to become a five star hotel, a comprehensive set of project documentation, including a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), should be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by ICOMOS;
- Reminds the State Party to submit information on any proposed project that may have an impact on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property to the World Heritage Centre for examination by the Advisory Bodies before making any decisions that would be difficult to reverse, and before the commencement of work, along with HIAs, which should all follow the methodology of the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, in conformity with paragraphs 118bis and 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
- Also reminds the State Party of the obligation to respond to and report on the requests made in previous Decisions of the Committee and, in relation to Decision 45 COM 7A.42 notably, and encourages the State Party to seek funding support for the elaboration of the Management Plan, prepared in line with the implementation of the UNESCO 2011 Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL Recommendation), which remains a crucial tool for the adequate long-term management of the property;
- Commends the progress made by the State Party in the implementation of the corrective measures required to achieve the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and in particular with regard to the management system, and planning for enhanced building control and restoration, and further requests the State Party to report on the achievements of corrective measures by providing a table that sets out evidence for each implemented corrective measure that has been implemented;
- Reiterates its calls upon the international community to support the conservation of the property;
- Reiterates its request that the invited World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission be carried out as soon as the situation allows, in order to enable a comprehensive assessment of the state of conservation of the property;
- 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;
- Decides to retain Ancient City of Damascus (Syrian Arab Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.