6. The Committee adopted the draft agenda of the session with two amendments, which consisted in inverting items 10, (Requests for technical co-operation), and 11 (State of accounts of the World Heritage Fund and budget for 1989), and the sequence of examination of nominations of natural and cultural properties. Furthermore, the Committee decided to examine the question of procedures for the election of Committee members under item 14, "Other business".
7. Upon the proposal of the outgoing Chairman, Mr. J.H. Collinson (Canada), Mr. A. da Silva Telles (Brazil) was elected Chairman of the Committee by acclamation. Ms. A. Miltiadou (Greece) was elected Rapporteur and the following members of the Committee were elected Vice-Chairmen: Australia, Canada, France, India, and the Yemen Arab Republic. A member of the Committee stressed that the composition of the Bureau did not reflect a geographical balance and was due to peculiar circumstances since representatives of certain geographical regions were not present at this session of the ...
8. The Secretary for the session, Ms. J. Robertson Vernhes, recalled the role of the Secretariat of the World Heritage Committee, concerning the processing of the nominations to the World Heritage List, the implementation of the decisions of the Committee concerning projects financed under the World Heritage Fund, as well as the promotional activities aimed at making the Convention better known and at stimulating contributions to the World Heritage Fund.
9. The Committee noted that the activities undertaken by the Secretariat since its eleventh session were described in detail in the ...
12. The Chairman of the Working Group, H.E. Ananda Guruge (Sri Lanka) presented the recommendations drafted by the Working Group. He stressed how important it was that the work of the Committee be facilitated through careful preparation and submittance of nominations of cultural properties by States Members, a more active Secretariat contribution when checking files, and a selective presentation of proposals by ICOMOS and by the Bureau. He also noted the progress that could be achieved through a reorganization of the Committee's agenda. The Chairman of the Working Group clarified that ...
20. The Secretary presented document SC-88/CONF.001/3 on the revision of the Operational Guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention. The Committee noted that the modifications proposed in this document resulted from three different actions, namely:
changes introduced in accordance with the Committee's decisions concerning the monitoring of cultural properties, the procedure for nomination of extensions to World Heritage properties and assistance for promotional activities;
modifications required to update the Operational Guidelines to make them conform with ...
28. The Committee examined document SC-88/CONF.001/10 which arose from the difficulty which the Bureau had encountered in the examination of nominations which had an indissociable combination of cultural and natural elements.
29. The Committee recalled the inconsistency between the definitions of cultural and natural heritage in the Convention and the criteria laid out in the Operational Guidelines, particularly the fact that Article 2 defining natural heritage did not refer to cultural aspects of such heritage and yet natural criterion (iii) refers to "... areas natural beauty or ...
1) Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Tanzania)
The Committee was glad to be informed that the conservation status of this property had greatly improved but that the Tanzanian authorities had requested that it be maintained on the List of World Heritage in Danger, particularly in view of the continued threat of poaching. The Committee agreed to maintain this property on the List of World Heritage in Danger but expressed the wish that it be removed from this List in 1989.
Sites: Ngorongoro Conservation Area
2) Djoudj National Park (Senegal)
The Committee was glad to learn that due in part to assistance provided from the Fund, the conservation status of this property had greatly improved. The Committee decided to comply with the request of the Senegalese authorities to remove this property from the List of World Heritage in Danger.
3) Tai National Park (Cote d'Ivoire)
The Committee noted that the natural values of this property had declined due to various illegal activities within the park. The Committee was, however, glad to learn of a forthcoming project financed by WWF, US-AID and possibly with a contribution from the World Heritage which could help mitigate the current situation, and requested IUCN to report back to the Committee at its next session.
Sites: Taï National Park
4) Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras)
The representative of IUCN reported that this property was currently under extreme pressure with the invasion of some 50,000 refugees and settlers into the Reserve. The Committee requested the Secretariat to contact the Honduran authorities to obtain further information and to ask them to consider inscribing this property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
5) Yellowstone National Park (USA)
The Committee noted that an exceptionally large fire had occurred in the Park during 1988 but that no World Heritage values had been lost. The Committee welcomed the proposal of the representative of the USA to provide further information on the results of the review of the fire management policy for wilderness areas and the restoration/recovery plan aimed at showing visitors how Yellowstone was being "reborn".
Sites: Yellowstone National Park
12 COM X.B.34-40
Monitoring of the State of Conservation of the World Heritage Cultural Properties: General Issues
B. Cultural Properties
34. At the request of the Chairman, the Secretariat informed the Committee of its observations concerning the results at the present stage of implementation of the experimental monitoring system adopted by the Committee at its eleventh session. The attention of the Committee was drawn to the difficulties of a number of States in meeting the deadlines; a modified timetable was suggested, so as to enable both the Secretariat and ICOMOS to process replies and to report to the Bureau before reporting to the Committee. The Secretariat stated that the results obtained ...
41. The Secretariat informed the Committee of problems that had arisen in the case of the three World Heritage sites. First, in the case of the city of Quebec, two real estate projects had given rise to concern in 1987 and the Canadian authorities had provided a report on the subject. The representative of Canada stated that, although several projects were still under study, the cultural heritage of Old Quebec would be safeguarded and the Committee would be advised of any change in the property.
42. As regards the site of Goreme in Turkey, the Secretariat informed the Committee of an ...
44. The Committee congratulated the Secretariat on the report on activities carried out in 1988 (document SC-88/CONF.001/5), devoted mainly to production and dissemination of general information material on the objectives and operation of the Convention for a variety of publics, and the mounting of photographic exhibitions.
45. Several members of the Committee referred to promotional activities undertaken or planned in their countries, such as the setting up of a National Committee in charge of coordination of implementation and promotion of the Convention in France; placing of plaques ...
49. The Committee took note of document SC-88/CONF.001/7 which consisted essentially of a series of financial statements for mandatory and voluntary contributions to the World Heritage Fund for the financial periods covering 1981-83, 1984-85, 1986-87 and 1988-89 as at 30 September 1988. The Committee noted that since this date a number of contributions had been received and that several projects for international assistance had been approved, which resulted in a revised balance available for 1989 amounting to $2,112,974 as at 25 November 1988.
50. The Committee specifically took account ...
57. The Secretariat informed the Committee that, in addition to the budget it had approved, a sum of two million French Francs ($340,000 as of 9 December 1988) had been donated to Unesco in November 1988 by a private association which had organized a special cultural event "The Return of Marco Polo". This sum was to be divided equally for use in the preservation of the Great Wall (China) and Venice (Italy), two World Heritage properties.
58. The Committee
noted that the Bureau had examined in detail the requests presented in document SC-88/CONF.001/6 and /6.Add ;
noted that a number of modifications for certain requests had been received by the Secretariat since the document had been prepared;
also noted that the requests from Algeria, Ecuador, Sri Lanka and Zaire had already been recommended for approval by the previous Bureau at its twelfth session in June 1988.
59. In accordance with the procedures for granting international assistance set out in the Operational Guidelines adopted by the Committee (WHC/2 Revised, ...
Sites: Ancient City of Polonnaruwa Ancient City of Sigiriya Bahla Fort Durmitor National Park Galápagos Islands Garamba National Park Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil) Ngorongoro Conservation Area Sacred City of Anuradhapura Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park Tassili n'Ajjer Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae Virunga National Park
12 COM XIV.64
Request to Study Modalities of a Proposal with Respect to Major Monuments Belonging to the Holy See in Rome
64. A member drew the attention of the Committee on the particular case of Rome. Inscription on the World Heritage List of the Historical Centre in 1980 and of Vatican City in 1984 apparently did not cover several monuments which are the property of the Holy See, which has extra-territorial rights over them. After clarifications had been provided by the Secretariat, the representative of ICOMOS, the representative of Italy and the observer from the Holy See, the Committee requested the Holy See and Italy to study the modalities of a proposal with respect to major monuments such as the ...
12 COM XIV.61-63
Nominations to the World Heritage List and to the List of World Heritage in Danger: Overview
61. Taking account of the recommendations of ICOMOS and IUCN, the Committee decided to inscribe 27 properties on the World Heritage List, of which 19 were cultural properties, 5 natural and 3 mixed. The Committee furthermore decided not to inscribe 2 properties on the World Heritage List. Another 9 nominations were deferred by the Committee and/or its Bureau. The Committee also decided to remove the Djoudj National Park (Senegal) from the List of World Heritage in Danger, and added the Bahla Fort (Oman).
62. There are now 315 properties inscribed on the World Heritage List and 7 ...
Wet Tropics of Queensland
486
Australia
N(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)
In accordance with the wishes of the Bureau at its last meeting in June 1988, the Committee noted that the Bureau had re-examined this nomination taking into account the revised evaluation of IUCN and additional information provided by Australia, as requested by the Bureau. Following this re-examination, the Committee decided to inscribe this property on the World Heritage List. It recommended that an appropriate management regime be established. The Committee furthermore recommended that IUCN continue to monitor the ...
Sites: Wet Tropics of Queensland
Parc National du Manovo-Gounda St. Floris
475
Central African Republic
N(ii)(iv)
The Committee welcomed the telex dated 24 November 1988 from the Minister of Water and Forestry of the Central African Republic which gave assurances as to the States Party's full commitment to improve the conditions of integrity of this property, notably concerning poaching and illegal grazing. The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the World Heritage List and wished to encourage the Central African Republic in these protective efforts. The Committee expressed the wish that the recently ...
Nanda Devi National Park
473
India
N(iii) (iv)
The Committee recommended that the Indian authorities proceed with the preparation of a management plan for this property and with a census of the status of wildlife populations, particularly the large mammals such as the blue sheep. The Committee indicated its willingness to provide assistance under the World Heritage Fund for these ...
Sinharaja Forest Reserve
405
Sri Lanka
N(ii)(iv)
The Committee noted with satisfaction that on 21 October 1988, the Sinharaja Forest Reserve had been declared a National Heritage Wilderness Area under the National Heritage Wilderness Act No. 3 of 1988, thereby conferring the required legal protection for this property. The Committee requested the Sri Lankan authorities to provide the Secretariat with further information on the natural characteristics of the areas which come under this legislation which were additions to the definition of the property as nominated in ...
Sites: Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Henderson Island
487
United Kingdom
N(iii)(iv)
The Committee requested the British authorities to report back on the Bureau's recommendations concerning the involvement of Pitcairn islanders to ensure on-site protection and the review of the legal status of this island, including consideration to upgrade its status of a nature reserve and the preparation of a management plan. The Committee recommended that the British authorities consider extending the property to include the marine areas particularly used as feeding areas for marine birds within the 3mile limit of the island. ...
Sites: Henderson Island
Trinidad and the Valley de los Ingenios
460
Cuba
C(iv)(v)
The Committee congratulated the Cuban authorities on conservation of the Trinidad historical site. However, it strongly recommended to protect the environment of the town, sugar mills and valley which should not suffer from tourism development.
Strasbourg - Grande Ile
495
France
C(i)(ii)(iv)
Mt. Athos
454
Greece
C(i)(ii)(iv)(v)(vi) N(iii)
The Committee accepted the ICOMOS proposal to add natural criterion (iii) - outstanding universal value from the point of view of natural beauty - to cultural criteria, since this site involves a humanized landscape the characteristics of which are due to persistence of farming practices and traditional arts and crafts linked to the stringent observance of monastic rules.
Sites: Mount Athos
Meteora
455
Greece
C(i)(ii)(iv)(v) N(iii)
The Committee accepted the ICOMOS proposal to add natural criterion (iii) to cultural criteria.
Sites: Meteora
Early Christian and Byzantine monuments of Thessalonika
456
Greece
C(i)(ii)(iv)
Archaeological site of Epidaurus
49
Greece
C(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(vi)
It should be stated that criterion (ii) is also justified in view of the influence of Tholos of Epidaurus on the development of architecture and ornamentation of Corynthian style in Greek and Roman art.
Medieval City of Rhodes
493
Greece
C(ii)(iv)(v)
It should be stated that the influence of Rhodes fortifications mentioned under criterion (ii) particularly applies to Bodrum, the former Halicarnassus.
Sites: Medieval City of Rhodes
Old Towns of Djenné
116 rev.
Mali
C(iii)(iv)
The Committee recommends that the Mali authorities ensure the long-term protection of Djenné with particular attention to preserving the balance between the built and unbuilt areas of the town, whilst safeguarding the toguere archaeological assets.
Sites: Old Towns of Djenné
Timbuktu
119 rev
Mali
C(ii)(iv)(v)
The Committee decided to inscribe the three large mosques and sixteen cemeteries and mausoleums of Timbuktu. In view of the threat of sand encroachment at Timbuktu, the Committee suggests that the Mali authorities consider inscription of this property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Sites: Timbuktu
Historic Centre of Guanajuato and adjacent mines
482
Mexico
C(i)(ii)(iv)(vi)
Pre-Hispanic City of Chichen-Itza
483
Mexico
C(i)(ii)(iii)
Archaeological sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn
434
Oman
C(iii)(iv)
Convent Ensemble of San Francisco de Lima
500
Peru
C(ii)(iv)
Sites: Historic Centre of Lima
Old City of Salamanca
381 rev
Spain
C(i)(ii)(iv)
Sites: Old City of Salamanca
Sacred City of Kandy
450
Sri Lanka
C(iv)(vi)
Sites: Sacred City of Kandy
Medina of Sousse
498
Tunisia
C(iii)(iv)(v)
Sites: Medina of Sousse
Kairouan
499
Tunisia
C(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)
Sites: Kairouan
Xanthos-Letoon
484
Turkey
C(ii)(iii)
The Committee was pleased to note the assurances of the Turkish authorities to protect the site within a larger perimeter.
Sites: Xanthos-Letoon
Hierapolis-Pamukkale
485
Turkey
C(iii)(iv) N(iii)
The Committee was pleased to note that the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs has decided to start work on setting up a national park during 1989. Furthermore, the Committee accepted the ICOMOS proposal to add natural criterion (iii) to cultural criteria.
Sites: Hierapolis-Pamukkale
The Tower of London
488
United Kingdom
C(ii)(iv)
The Committee has expressed its regrets regarding the building of the Tower Hotel, which would have best been avoided, and took note of the assurances of the United Kingdom authorities as to protection henceforth to be granted to the environment of the Tower of London. The Committee further suggested that inscription on the World Heritage List be extended to the Tower Bridge which constitutes a coherent whole with the Tower of London.
Sites: Tower of London
12 COM XIV.A
Inscription: Canterbury Cathedral, St. Augustine's Abbey and St. Martin's Church (United Kingdom)
Canterbury Cathedral, St. Augustine's Abbey and St. Martin's Church
496
United Kingdom
C(i)(ii)(vi)
Old Town of Galle and its fortifications
451
Sri Lanka
C(iv)
The Committee noted that the nomination of the Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve and adjacent forests, submitted by Madagascar, had been deferred by the Bureau and that this nomination would be re-worked on the occasion of a training workshop to be held in Madagascar in early 1989 with the financial support from the World Heritage Fund.
a) The Committee endorsed the recommendations of the Bureau and decided to defer the examination of the following nominations:
Male Hukuru Miskiy 461 (Maldives)
Utheemu Gaduvaru 462 (Maldives)
Eid Miskiy 463 (Maldives)
Fenfushi Hukuru Miskiy 464 (Maldives)
Vadhoo Hukuru Miskiy 465 (Maldives)
New Lanark 429 (United Kingdom)
Pueblo of Taos 492 (United States of America)
b) Furthermore, the Committee decided to defer the inscription of the following nomination:
Spanish Town
459 rev
Jamaica
The Committee decided to defer inscription of this property on the World Heritage List to enable the competent authorities to refine the protection plan and define the principles of an overall conservation policy for the historic centre.
Port Royal
457 rev
Jamaica
The Committee recognized the importance of this property for the national heritage of Jamaica but felt that the nomination did not meet the criteria for inscription on the World Heritage List.
Seville
458 rev
Jamaica
The Committee recognized the importance of this property for the national heritage of Jamaica but felt that the nomination did not meet the criteria for inscription on the World Heritage List.
Djoudj National Park (Senegal)
The Committee recalled that under the agenda item on monitoring the state of conservation of World Heritage properties the Committee had decided to comply with the request of the Senegalese authorities to remove this property from the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Bahla Fort
433
Oman
In accordance with the wishes of the Omani authorities the Committee decided to inscribe Bahla Fort on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Sites: Bahla Fort
12 COM XIV.D
Deferred Inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger: Wieliczka Salt Mine (Poland)
Wieliczka Salt Mine
32
Poland
In the absence of information on the state of conservation of this property and the most urgent needs in terms of protection thereof, the Committee requested that a mission be organized to seek such information before the next session of the Bureau. Therefore, a decision on this matter was deferred.
65. The Committee discussed the question of procedures for the election of members (document SC-88/CONF.001/11), the Secretariat having stressed that its suggestions were of a very preliminary nature.
66. As regards rotation of States Parties within the Committee, the Committee felt that the Secretariat's proposal was acceptable. However, some flexibility might be required, especially to take into account the preferences of States Parties within the same region. One member stressed that the principle of rotation was not a mechanical exercise and that it should be applied taking into ...
12 COM XVI.73
Other Business: Concerns About the Situation of Architectural Heritage, Both Urban and Rural, in Romania
73. The Secretary-General of ICOMOS read out a telex message from Professor Roberto di Stefano, President of ICOMOS, expressing the grave concern of his Organization about "the situation of architectural heritage, both urban and rural, in Romania". After describing the measures taken by ICOMOS, the message stated that this organization was ready to help the Committee in any way possible. The Committee noted that Romania was not a State Party to the Convention and that when the matter had been raised in the recent 130th session of Unesco's Executive Board, the Director-General had informed ...
74. The Committee decided to hold its thirteenth session in Unesco Headquarters in Paris from 4 to 8 December 1989.