Decision 47 COM 7A.18

Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/25/47.COM/7A.Add.2,
2. Recalling Decisions 43 COM 7A.42, 44 COM 7A.29, 45 COM 7A.52, and 46 COM 7A.38 adopted at its 43rd (Baku, 2019), extended 44th (Fuzhou/online, 2021), extended 45th (Riyadh, 2023) and 46th (New Delhi, 2024) 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 conservation, and notes with concern that this situation, combined with natural disasters, has added another layer of difficulty for the implementation of conservation work at the property, based on the 2017 Conservation Action Plan (CAP) and the corrective measures adopted in 2007 in Decision 31 COM 7A.20;
4. Notes with appreciation the installation of a monitoring system at the Minaret and recommends that regular data collection be ensured to monitor the inclination of the Minaret;
5. Welcomes the deployment of security personnel on the ground to prevent illicit trafficking;
6. Also notes with appreciation 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 some of the adopted corrective measures;
7. Recommends pursuing additional technical studies in elaborating and prioritising activities for an update of the CAP by identifying the most urgent and feasible actions in light of the current situation, the potential impact and long-term mitigation measures of recurring flooding in the future, and, to the extent possible, their benefit for local communities;
8. Recommends the establishment of a comprehensive data collection system to track readings from monitoring instruments installed on the Minaret and to document the performance of river embankment structures, enabling analysis of long-term erosion effects on the property that are expected to intensify due to climate change impacts;
9. Reiterates its requests to continue implementing the following:
   1. Emergency stabilisation work for the wooden staircases to prevent further weakening of the Minaret’s structure,
   2. Construction of a suspended bridge over the Hari Rud and the reconstruction of the site office at the property outside the Minaret and outside the World Heritage property to improve access to the property and site security for all concerned public, giving due consideration to the risk of flooding,
   3. 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;
10. Encourages that the activities for the property, including the ALIPH-funded project, focus 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);
11. Regrets that the boundaries of the property and its buffer zone remain to be precisely defined, and reiterates its request to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2026, a proposal for a Minor Boundary Modification in accordance with Paragraphs 163-164 of the Operational Guidelines, taking into consideration the topographical map produced in 2012 as well as the drone survey of 2024 to facilitate the delineation of these boundaries, in conformity with the CAP;
12. Requests the allocation of necessary resources for the safeguarding of the property to address conservation issues, including the proposal for a Minor Boundary Modification, the establishment of the overall action plan for the CAP as well as capacity-building;
13. Acknowledges the role of UNESCO to monitor the prevailing on-site situation and implement essential work supported by international assistance;
14. 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 constitutes an integral part of Afghanistan’s culture can be preserved;
15. Requests the international community to provide support to the Afghan people in preserving their heritage and cultural rights;
16. Finally requests that, by 1 February 2026, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 48th session;
17. Decides to retain Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.