Decision 45 COM 7B.64

Iguaçu National Park (Brazil) (N 355)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7B.112 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
3. Regrets that no specific assessment of the impacts of the Baixo Iguaçu hydropower plant (HPP) on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property was submitted prior to construction and operation of the HPP, as requested by the Committee in its Decision 40 COM 7B.70 and takes note that impacts to the property were considered during the Environmental Impact Study process for the project and extensive conditions were imposed by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) and the Environmental Institute of Paraná (IAP), and considers it essential to comply strictly with the conditions imposed;
4. Notes the information provided that the dam is operating in accordance with the standards required under its licensing, according to monitoring results, however requests the State Party to ensure that monitoring programmes continue to provide up-to-date information to inform adaptive management of the HPP;
5. Also notes that collaboration between the States Parties of Argentina and Brazil was reinitiated following the COVID-19 pandemic and reiterates its request to the two States Parties to develop of a comprehensive monitoring, assessment and action plan to identify and address potential negative impacts from the HPP on the OUV of the two contiguous properties of Iguaçu National Park and Iguazu National Park;
6. Expresses again grave concern regarding the potential legislative implication of the two Bills under consideration, which propose the reopening of the Colono Road, and which could, if approved, create the conditions to re-inscribe the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger, in line with Paragraph 180 of the Operational Guidelines, and urges again the State Party to ensure the continued closure of Colono Road;
7. Welcomes the completion of the Public Use Plan (PUP) and encourages the State Party to implement the strategy outlined in the Plan to ensure the sustainable use and development of tourism in the property;
8. Notes with appreciation the results from the National Programme for Monitoring Biodiversity (‘Monitora’) programme in the property and the continued implementation of other programmes, including the Onças do Iguaçu project, Biodiversity Corridor Consolidation programme and the Natural Resource Protection programme;
9. Also encourages the State Party to collaborate with the State Party of Argentina and report on the outcomes of the recommendations of the 2015 Reactive Monitoring mission to:
   1. Develop an action plan for joint patrolling activities and ensure that these activities are undertaken on a regular basis;
   2. Establish a monitoring programme for key species within the property and, in cooperation with the Iguazu National Park, within the broader region;
10. Notes with concern the reported plans to further develop tourism in the property, including a proposed cable car project and also requests the State Party to ensure that all proposed projects will be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment, in line with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, before a decision to implement them is made;
11. Finally 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.