Decision 46 COM 7A.38

Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan) (C 211 rev)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decisions 43 COM 7A.42, 44 COM 7A.29 and 45 COM 7A.52 adopted at its 43rd (Baku, 2019), extended 44th (Fuzhou/online, 2021) and extended 45th (Riyadh, 2023) sessions respectively,
3. Expresses its deep concern regarding the current situation in Afghanistan in terms of humanitarian, educational and cultural environments, and the challenges faced by the national and international communities, including the United Nations system, in effectively implementing technical assistance activities for heritage preservation; combined with natural disasters, this has brought another layer of difficulties for the implementation of conservation work based upon the 2017 Conservation Action Plan (CAP) and the corrective measures adopted in 2007 by the Committee in Decision 31 COM 7A.20;
4. Appreciates that the UNESCO project funded by the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH), coordinated by the UNESCO Office in Kabul in cooperation with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS, has contributed to the implementation of the adopted corrective measures;
5. Recommends pursuing additional technical studies in elaborating the CAP by identifying the most urgent and feasible actions in light of the current situation, the potential impact and long-term mitigation measures for recurring flooding in the future, and, to the extent possible, benefitting the local communities;
6. Reiterates its requests to implement the following:
   1. Installation of a sustainable monitoring system on the Minaret of Jam to monitor its inclination,
   2. Emergency stabilization work for the wooden staircases to prevent further destabilization of the minaret’s structure,
   3. Construction of a footbridge over the Hari Rud river and the reconstruction of the site office at the property with due consideration for the risk of flooding, in order to improve access to the property and site security,
   4. Hydraulic study with monitoring of the height and flow of the Hari Rud and Jam Rud rivers, to inform the possible long-term mitigation and protective measures to address their recurring floodings;
   5. Permanent deployment of security personnel on the ground;
7. Notes with appreciation the proposed reprogramming of the activities of the UNESCO project funded by ALIPH to contribute to the CAP in light of the prevailing field situation and encourages that the focus be put on the elements suggested for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), including the above;
8. Regrets that the boundaries of the property and its buffer zone still remain to be precisely defined, and reiterates its request to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2025, a proposal for a Minor Boundary Modification, taking into consideration the topographical map produced in 2012 to facilitate the delineation of these boundaries, in conformity with the CAP and in accordance with Paragraphs 163-164 of the Operational Guidelines;
9. Also requests the allocation of necessary resources for the safeguarding of the property to address conservation issues, including the proposal for a boundary modification, the establishment of the overall action plan for the CAP as well as capacity-building;
10. Acknowledges the role of UNESCO to monitor the prevailing field situation and implement essential work under the international assistance;
11. Reaffirms its solidarity with the Afghan people, expresses again its strong commitment to safeguarding Afghanistan’s heritage, and reiterates its call to all concerned parties to observe international humanitarian law and international instruments relating to the protection of heritage, so that all the diversity of heritage that constitute an integral part of Afghanistan’s culture can be preserved;
12. Further requests the international community to provide support to the Afghan people in preserving their heritage and cultural rights;
13. Finally requests the submission to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2025, of 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;
14. Decides to retain Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.