Island of Gorée
Factors affecting the property in 2013*
- Financial resources
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Delay in the appointment of a site manager;
- Risk of collapse of historic buildings;
- Marine erosion;
- Illegal occupation of historic buildings.
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2013
USD 132,570 in 1981, safeguarding campaign for the Island of Gorée
International Assistance: requests for the property until 2013
Total amount approved : 73,700 USD
1981 | Technical assistance for the renovation of the Island ... (Approved) | 40,700 USD |
1981 | Equipment and financial assistance for the Island of ... (Approved) | 33,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2013**
2004: Joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Mission; 2006: World Heritage Centre Mission
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2013
On 28 January 2013, in accordance with Decision 35 COM 7B.42, adopted by the World Heritage Committee at its 35th session (UNESCO, 2011), the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the Island of Gorée. The State Party has confirmed the appointment of the site manager and the establishment of a Management Office. The State Party continues the implementation of the recommendations of the joint mission of the World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS / ICCROM in 2011, and indicates that the rehabilitation and development of the former port authority, and rehabilitation work for the municipal market is completed, and its functional reorganization is in progress. Moreover, a fissure in the vicinity of the mosque, caused by sea action has occurred and requires appropriate technical intervention.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2013
The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies consider that a report to the Committee is not necessary at this stage, in order to provide more time to the State Party to pursue the necessary conservation and management actions. Recognizing the difficulties of the State Party to raise the necessary funds for the conservation and physical safeguarding of the property, they recall the recommendation made to the State Party to submit a request for international assistance for the implementation of the recommendations of the 2011 joint mission, as well as to finance the necessary technical studies.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2013
37 COM 7B.103
Omnibus Decision
World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decisions 34 COM 8B.6, 35 COM 7B.42, 35 COM 7B.63, 35 COM 7B.67, 35 COM 7B.68, 35 COM 7B.69, 35 COM 7B.73, 35 COM 7B.88, 35 COM 7B.94, 35 COM 7B.98, 35 COM 7B.102, 35 COM 7B.106, 35 COM 7B.109, 35 COM 7B.122, 35 COM 7B.127, 35 COM 7B.128, 35 COM 7B.131 and 35 COM 7B.133 , adopted at its 34th (Brasilia, 2010) and 35th (UNESCO, 2011) sessions respectively,
3. Takes note with satisfaction of the measures taken by the States Parties concerned to address its previous requests to mitigate the threats on the Outstanding Universal Value of the following World Heritage properties :
- Old Town of Lijiang (China)
- Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa (China)
- San Augustin Arhcaeological Park (Colombia)
- Historic Centre of Český Krumlov (Czech Republic)
- Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape (Hungary)
- Taj Mahal (India)
- Agra Fort (India)
- Fatehpur Sikri (India)
- Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (India)
- Prambanan Temple Compounds (Indonesia)
- Monte San Giorgio (Italy / Switzerland)
- Vilnius Historic centre (Lithuania)
- Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca (Malaysia)
- Historic centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco (Mexico)
- Camino real de Tierra Adentro (Mexico)
- Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana (Peru)
- City of Cuzco (Peru)
- Churches of Moldavia (Romania)
- Ensemble of the Ferrapontov Monastery (Russian Federation)
- Island of Gorée (Senegal)
- Works of Antoni Gaudi (Spain)
4. Encourages the States Parties concerned to pursue their efforts to ensure the conservation of World Heritage properties;
5. Reminds the States Parties concerned to inform the World Heritage Centre in due course about any major development project which may affect the Outstanding Universal Value of a property, before any irreversible commitments are made, in line with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines .
Draft Decision: 37 COM 7B.103
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-13/37.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decisions 34 COM 8B.6, 35 COM 7B.42, 35 COM 7B.63, 35 COM 7B.67, 35 COM 7B.68, 35 COM 7B.69, 35 COM 7B.73, 35 COM 7B.88, 35 COM 7B.94, 35 COM 7B.98, 35 COM 7B.102, 35 COM 7B.106, 35 COM 7B.109, 35 COM 7B.122, 35 COM 7B.127, 35 COM 7B.128, 35 COM 7B.131 and 35 COM 7B.133,adopted at its 34th (Brasilia, 2010) and 35th (UNESCO, 2011) sessions respectively,
3. Takes note with satisfaction of the measures taken by the States Parties concerned to address its previous requests to mitigate the threats on the Outstanding Universal Value of the following World Heritage properties :
· Old Town of Lijiang (China)
· Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa (China)
· San Augustin Arhcaeological Park (Colombia)
· Historic Centre of Český Krumlov (Czech Republic)
· Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape (Hungary)
· Taj Mahal (India)
· Agra Fort (India)
· Fatehpur Sikri (India)
· Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park (India)
· Prambanan Temple Compounds (Indonesia)
· Monte San Giorgio (Italy / Switzerland)
· Vilnius Historic centre (Lithuania)
· Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca (Malaysia)
· Historic centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco (Mexico)
· Camino real de Tierra Adentro (Mexico)
· Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Pampas de Jumana (Peru)
· City of Cuzco (Peru)
· Churches of Moldavia (Romania)
· Ensemble of the Ferrapontov Monastery (Russian Federation)
· Island of Gorée (Senegal)
· Works of Antoni Gaudi (Spain)
4. Encourages the States Parties concerned to pursue their efforts to ensure the conservation of World Heritage properties;
5. Reminds the States Parties concerned to inform the World Heritage Centre in due course about any major development project that may negatively impact the Outstanding Universal Value of a property, before any irreversible commitments are made, in line with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines.
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.