Decision 46 COM 7B.29

Archaeological Sites of the Island of Meroe (Sudan) (C 1336)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7B,
2. Expresses its deep concern over the armed conflict which erupted in April 2023 and the ensuing instability, which has impacted communities and all sectors of society, affecting site management capabilities and posing a threat to the property, and calls on all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from any action that could cause damage to the property;
3. Commending the State Party for its efforts to ensure the protection of the property, monitor and assess its current condition in spite of the difficult prevailing context, requests the State Party to continue these efforts to the extent possible, and to keep the World Heritage Centre informed of the evolution of the situation on the ground;
4. Recalls the recommendations of the 2019 Advisory mission to the property, and accordingly, also requests the State Party to give due consideration to the relocation of the proposed museum to the new entrance facility building, which would be beneficial to the commercial facilities as well as for the visitor experience;
5. Reminds the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, detailed information of any future works that may affect the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines and that any proposal for boundary modification should be justified in terms of ensuring the full protection of the property and its OUV;
6. Takes note of the project “Urgent Safeguarding Measures for Sudanese Cultural Heritage” funded by the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund, and calls on all States Parties of UNESCO to support emergency safeguarding measures, including through the Heritage Emergency Fund;
7. Also calls for an increased mobilisation of the international community and all scientific missions involved in the property to support the State Party’s efforts, including by providing the necessary technical assistance and adequate documentation to the State Party;
8. 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, considering that the urgent conservation needs of this property require a broad mobilization to preserve its Outstanding Universal Value, including the possible inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger.