Decision 45 COM 8B.4

Volcanoes and Forests of Mount Pelée and the Pitons of Northern Martinique (France)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Documents WHC/23/45.COM/8B and WHC/23/45.COM/INF.8B2,
2. Inscribes the Volcanoes and Forests of Mount Pelée and the Pitons of Northern Martinique, France, on the World Heritage List, on the basis of criteria (viii) and (x);
3. Takes note of the following provisional Statement of Outstanding Universal Value:
   
   [Text available in French only]
4. Underlines the global importance of biodiversity conservation in the Caribbean region, a biodiversity hotspot, and the worldwide importance of the forests of Martinique for the conservation of the endemic flora of the Lesser Antilles;
5. Also underlines the worldwide importance for earth sciences of Mount Pelée and the Carbet Pitons within the Caribbean volcanic systems and the island arc of the Lesser Antilles;
6. Notes that the property includes the fundamental elements of the Outstanding Universal Value on the basis of the two criteria, in particular the major geological attributes;
7. Recommends the State Party to ensure the conservation of the entire property and buffer zone by giving consideration to the following:
   1. Complement the existing protection system with coherent and effective protection for geosites of scientific and educational interest located in the buffer zone, and strengthen the management capacity for the geological attributes of the property to ensure the protection and management of geological values,
   2. Extend biodiversity protection measures, possibly through an extension of the Reserves Biologiques Intégrales inside the property;
8. Encourages the State Party to continue and strengthen cooperation with the other States Parties of the Lesser Antilles for the conservation of species, environments and geological values;
9. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 December 2025, a report on the implementation of the above-mentioned recommendations for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 48th session.