The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7B,
- Recalling Decision 40 COM 8B.6, adopted at its 40th session (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016),
- Welcomes the progress achieved with the development of high quality maps and a draft Integrated Management Plan (IMP), the recruitment of additional staff, and the increase in resources;
- Requests the State Party to finalize, adopt and start implementing the IMP as soon as possible, and encourages it to provide further ressources for the management of the property;
- Noting with appreciation the activities undertaken to identify additional areas of potential Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and the State Party’s intention to propose such areas for inclusion as part of the property, recalls that any proposed extensions should follow the appropriate procedures for boundary modification and/or re-nomination as laid out in the Operational Guidelines, and also encourages the State Party to continue this work and to seek technical advice from IUCN if required;
- Notes with concern the reported activities of foreign dive operators who cause damage to coral reefs, disturbance to wildlife, and negative impacts on visitor experience, and also requests the State Party to establish, in close consultation with local dive operators and other stakeholders, a code of conduct including formal rules and regulations for all dive operators and to ensure compliance, including by:
- Reaching out to dive operators, both national and foreign, to raise awareness about these rules and regulations and encourage best practice in line with international standards,
- Establishing appropriate mechanisms, such as, fines and a licensing system, to avoid violations,
- Ensuring regular patrolling to monitor any vessels operating within either component of the property;
- Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2020, 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 45th session in 2021.