Decision 46 COM 7A.37

Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Afghanistan) (C 208 rev)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decisions 43 COM 7A.41, 44 COM 7A.28 and 45 COM 7A.51 adopted at its 43rd session (Baku, 2019) and its extended 44th (Fuzhou/online, 2021) and 45th (Riyadh, 2023) sessions, respectively,
3. Regrets that a state of conservation report was not submitted for the property;
4. Expresses its deep concern with regard to the current humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, the difficult situation of the education and cultural sectors, and the challenges faced by the national and international communities, including the United Nations system, in implementing technical assistance;
5. Notes with appreciation the resuming of the UNESCO/Japan Funds-in-Trust project “Sustainable Management of the Bamiyan World Heritage property – Preparing the removal of Bamiyan from the List of World Heritage in Danger”, the Italian Funds-in-Trust projects “Preservation and Promotion of the Bamiyan Valley through Culture-Oriented Sustainable Development” and “Local Community Empowerment and Preservation of Shahr-e Gholghola, the World Heritage site in Bamiyan” and their contribution to the progress in achieving the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and requests that an updated report on these projects be shared with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;
6. Commends the achievements of the UNESCO/Japan Funds-in-Trust project in particular for the reinfocement of security and conservation measures for the Western and Eastern Buddha Niches, emergency interventions at Shahr-i-Zohak and Shahr-i-Ghulghulah sites, as well as monitoring and technical study on the different components of the property, including the Foladi and Kakrak valleys for further intervention, while generating employment opportunities for more than 300 labourers so far;
7. Considering the Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA), recommends that activities be focused on assistance to achieve the DSOCR, including the operational activities, revision of the Action Plan and timeline, as well as documentation and research activities, and to ensure that the project be implemented in line with the corrective measures adopted in Decision 31 COM 7A.21;
8. Considering the prevailing situation in the country, also recommends that all stakeholders be informed about the requirement to address the reported issues of the use of the historic caves as dwellings, uncontrolled access to the caves, conversion of agricultural lands in adjacent areas with new constructions;
9. Further recommends that technical requirements, as outlined by the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS, be addressed on the mitigation of adverse effects of the development project of the road to Gholghola Bazaar and the proposed revision of the ‘Bamiyan Energy Supply project’, and the possible reinstalment of the “Old Bazaar” destroyed in the 1990s; and also requests to comply fully with the provisions of Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines and not to take any decision that would be difficult to reverse before submitting detailed documentation to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies and obtaining the approval of the Committee;
10. Further requests that the elements suggested by ICOMOS for the revision of the Strategic Master Plan be taken into consideration in order to ensure legal protection and a holistic management approach of the property as a cultural landscape, promoting the involvement of local communities and addressing the necessary modification of the buffer zones with a land use scheme, in order to address the issue of uncontrolled urban development within the Bamiyan Valley which would place threats to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property;
11. Reiterates its request to respect the provisions of the international treaties ratified by Afghanistan, such as the 1954 Convention, 1970 Convention and 1972 Convention, as well as the 2015 UNESCO Recommendations on the Museums and Collections, and further recommends to:
    1. Ensure regular verification of the state of moveable heritage and keep up proper inventories of all significant artefacts, including those housed at the Cultural Centre,
    2. Ensure the backfilling of the holes at the top of the Western Buddha niche,
    3. Closely monitor the commercial activities within the inscribed area and buffer zones,
    4. Carefully review the concept of reinstating the “Old Bazaar” destroyed in the 1990s at its original location, having regard to potential alternative locations, and appropriate design, materials, planning and management in place;
12. Thanks the international community for its support and urgent measures for the protection of cultural objects and cultural sites within the property; and recommends the coordination of these technical activities under the established system of the Bamiyan Working Group meeting for information sharing of academic and scientific community;
13. Reaffirms its solidarity with the Afghan people, expresses again its strong commitment to safeguarding Afghanistan’s heritage, and reiterates its call to all concerned parties to observe international humanitarian law and international instruments relating to the protection of heritage, so that all the diversity in heritage that constitutes an integral part of Afghanistan’s history and culture can be preserved;
14. Finally requests the submission to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2025, 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;
15. Decides to retain Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Afghanistan) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.