Decision 45 COM 7B.127

Thimlich Ohinga Archaeological Site (Kenya) (C 1450rev)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decisions 42 COM 8B.14 and 44 COM 7B.7 adopted at its 42nd (Manama, 2018) and extended 44th (Fuzhou/online, 2021) sessions respectively,
3. Welcomes the information provided by the State Party concerning the progress made to extend the buffer zone on the western side of the property boundary, encourages the State Party to ensure that the rights of land owners are respected in the processes of land acquisition, and requests the State Party to continue implementing the recommended extensions to the property boundary at its south-eastern end near the entrance to Koketch, and the extension and demarcation of the buffer zone, and to submit a proposal for minor boundary modification once these are in place;
4. Notes the completion of an archaeological survey and encourages the State Party to continue documenting the cultural values of the property, including oral traditions;
5. Also notes that the property is important for local artists and musicians and commends the reported activities’ efforts to digitalise the property with a 360 degrees virtual tour and ensure continued community engagement, including involvement in its maintenance and in management decision-making;
6. Further encourages the State Party to continue to implement the monitoring system for the property, including indicators associated with visitor management issues, and invites it to provide details about the selection of indicators and reporting methodology to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
7. Requests the State Party to continue to ensure that all planned projects or works, including infrastructure to support tourism, are subject to Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) in conformity with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage context, and that information on any planned projects that could have an impact on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property is forwarded to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
8. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2024, 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.