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Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din

Syrian Arab Republic
Factors affecting the property in 2017*
  • Land conversion
  • Management activities
  • Management systems/ management plan
  • Quarrying
  • War
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports

Before the conflict:

  • Lack of definition of the limits of the properties and of their buffer zones
  • Lack of conservation and/or management plans
  • Inappropriate restoration works
  • Urban encroachment
  • Exploitation of quarries within the perimeter of World Heritage properties

Since 2011:

  • Destruction and damage due to the armed conflict
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger

Destruction as well as ascertained and potential threats consequent to the armed conflict in Syria started in March 2011

Corrective Measures for the property

Not yet identified

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
Not yet identified
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2017

Total amount provided to the six Syrian World Heritage properties: 2.46 million Euros by the European Union (for World Heritage, movable and intangible heritage); USD 200,000 by the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage in Bahrain (for cultural heritage under conflict); USD 170,000 by the Flemish Government (for World Heritage, movable and intangible heritage); 63,000 Euros by the Government of Austria (for World Heritage, movable and intangible heritage)

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2017
Requests approved: 2 (from 1998-2003)
Total amount approved : 35,000 USD
2003 Préparation du dossier d'inscription du Crac des ... (Approved)   20,000 USD
1998 Nomination of Crusaders castle (Approved)   15,000 USD
Missions to the property until 2017**

Since the start of the conflict in March 2011, the security situation has not allowed any missions to be undertaken to this World Heritage property

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2017

On 18 January 2017, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report for the six Syrian World Heritage properties, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1229/documents/.

The State Party reports that documentation work, which includes geo-radar surveys and 3D documentation, has started in cooperation with the Syrian-Hungarian archaeological mission, notably for the church and the Hall of the Knights. It also reports that 3D photogrammetry modelling of the inside and the outside of the monument is being realized in the framework of the UNESCO “Emergency Safeguarding of Syrian Cultural Heritage” project, with the support of a professional team in view of completing the necessary documentation for future interventions.

Moreover, the State Party reports that in 2016 it carried out work to control vegetation, and refurbished the offices at the Crac des Chevaliers.

Finally, the State Party undertook restoration of minor damages at Qal’at Salah Ed-Din.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2017

See General Decision 41 COM 50 of this Document on the World Heritage properties of the Syrian Arab Republic.

In the framework of the Technical Assistance Workshop organized by the World Heritage Centre in Beirut from 13 to 15 December 2016, UNESCO experts examined the damages at the Crac des Chevaliers and the consolidation works undertaken by the DGAM, and noted that some emergency consolidation that were undertaken are insufficient today. They also noted that further restoration works was needed to prevent further deterioration of the masonry.

In their report available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/events/1386/, the UNESCO experts recommended the following:

  • Verify before removing debris, that this does not de-stabilize the damaged structures,
  • Inventory, sort and store debris for possible future re-use,
  • Favor the use of economical shoring materials (i.e. sand bags) for provisional stabilization works,
  • Carry out a sound diagnosis of the cohesion and strength of the damaged masonry, and monitor parts of the structure that are immediately adjacent to damaged areas,
  • Develop a conservation plan, including a risk management plan, to address restoration works, future conservation projects and regular maintenance.

They also recommended the following consolidation and restorations works:

  • Urgent restoration works of simple to medium complexity, namely the restoration of the destabilized pillar and collapsed vault at the south of the gallery of the Hall of the Knights, the vault of the cistern in the central courtyard, the vault and terrace of the chapel and the vault beneath the upper terrace of the Leader’s Tower.
  • Necessary and relatively simple restoration works, namely the restoration of the section of the vault at the west side of the ruined wall forming a screen between the Tower of Command and the Tower of the Knights, the parapet at the East of the Daughter of the King Tower and the stairs demolished at the North side of the Tower Sultan Qualawun.

However, with regard to complex restoration works, that require in-depth studies and broad consultation, the experts recommended that studies and documentation work be undertaken for the stairs, vault and back side wall of Tower Al Zahir Bybars, the wall located on the terrasse above the Hall of the Knights , the gallery of the Hall of the Knights, the Cannon staircase and the high wall between the Tower of Command and the Tower of the Knights, as well as for the stability of the bedrock at the Northeast sides of the two enclosures. It is recommended to reiterate to the State Party the need to limit restoration actions to first aid interventions until the security situation improves.  

It is also recommended that the State Party be encouraged to develop a conservation plan for the property, and to carry out the urgent small and medium scale consolidation and restoration works, while refraining from undertaking complex restoration works until the conditions are met for thorough scientific consultations.

It is proposed to undertake a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission to the site as soon as the security situation allows. 

General Decision on the World Heritage properties of the Syrian Arab Republic
  • Current conservation issues

The armed conflict in Syria started in March 2011 and has constantly escalated leading to significant violence and degradation of humanitarian conditions. It continues to inflict damage on the inscribed properties as well as on the 12 sites inscribed on the Tentative List. Sites continue to be damaged by shelling, street fighting, underground explosions, extensive illegal excavations, military use, construction violations, quarrying, in addition to intentional destructions and inappropriate use of archaeological sites by internally displaced populations. 

On 18 January 2017, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/sessions/41COM/documents, with detailed information on the destruction and damage at the six World Heritage properties. This report represents an official statement from the Syrian authorities and collates available information from the branches of the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) and from the local communities up to 31 December 2016. The State Party notes that as ground access in Syria for heritage experts is limited the full extent of the damage to World Heritage properties cannot be assessed in detail. Therefore, the report do not provide first-hand information on all sites, and thus do not allow a full understanding of the extent of damage to the properties.

The State Party reported on the actions carried out by the DGAM, despite the difficult working conditions, to monitor the World Heritage properties and cultural heritage in general, assess damages, undertake emergency conservation and risk mitigation actions whenever possible, and inventory built and movable heritage. The report also stressed the DGAM efforts in maintaining salaries for its staff in the inaccessible regions (Ancient Villages of Northern Syria, Ancient City of Bosra), and highlighted the positive role played by local communities in some cases to safeguard heritage and limit illegal excavations.

On 9 April 2017, the State Party provided updated information on the conservation of the sites inscribed on the Tentative List, which indicates the following:

  • In ‘Ebla (Tell Mardikh)’, ‘Mari (Tell Hariri)’ and the site of Dura Europos, illegal excavations stopped;
  • In ‘Apamea (Afamia)’, illegal excavations are still on-going on but to a lesser degree than in previous years;
  • In ‘Maaloula’, the Municipality, in collaboration with the DGAM and the United Nations Programme for Development (UNDP), has cleaned the site to accelerate the return of inhabitants, and started undertaking rehabilitation projects, such as the restoration of the Patriarchal Monastery of Mar Takla (almost completed), the rehabilitation of Mar Sarkis and of a hundred residential buildings, which suffered minor to medium damage. In addition, the study for the rehabilitation of the infrastructure has been completed;
  • No information on damages is provided at the site of ‘Raqqa-Rafiqa: the Abassid City’ (still under the control of extremist armed groups) and the site of ‘Qasr al-Hayr ach-Charqi, a desert Castle’ (occupied by armed groups since 2013);
  • At the site of the ‘Noreas of Hama’, local authorities ensure the conservation of the Noreas and the maintenance of its machinery for the effective operation of the system. The DGAM is preparing a restoration project for masonry structures that should be implemented in 2017;
  • In ‘Ugrarit (Tell Shamra)’, the national archaeological mission is ensuring the regular maintenance at the site.
  • No further damage is reported at the sites of ‘Tartus: the Crusaders Citadel-City’ and ‘Arwad Island’.

Activities undertaken by UNESCO

  • Since the 40th session of the Committee (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016), UNESCO has pursued its actions to assist the State Party in its continuous and sustained efforts to safeguard cultural heritage;
  • At the international level, UNESCO continues to raise the awareness of the international community on the destruction of cultural heritage in Syria, notably through the #Unite4Heritage campaign and in the framework of the implementation of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2199 adopted on 12 February 2015. On 24 March 2017, the UNSC adopted Resolution 2347 recognizing for the first time the importance of heritage protection for peace and security;
  • At the national level, UNESCO has pursued its activities to monitor the situation of Syrian cultural heritage, raise awareness on its protection, undertake short, medium and long-term actions to safeguard it, and coordinate the work of national and international entities working on its safeguarding;
  • In the framework of the European Union-funded project “Emergency Safeguarding of Syrian Cultural Heritage” (2.46 million Euros), co-financed by Flanders and Austria, started in March 2014 and implemented in partnership with ICOMOS and ICCROM, the following activities were undertaken:
    • A meeting was organized by UNESCO and INTERPOL in Beirut on 14-15 December 2016, to discuss with other international and national organizations the effective strategies for the implementation of relevant international agreements established to strengthen the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural objects,
    • An awareness raising video clip on the destruction of heritage in Syria was launched on 23 November 2016 and shared on social media, and available at: http://en.unesco.org/syrian-observatory/videos.
    • Since 29 November 2016, the 3D documentation and structural analysis of the Crac des Chevaliers is being carried out by the DGAM with the technical support of a professional team,
    • On 14-15 November 2016, a First Aid Support Meeting was organized in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre for the follow-up to the Committee Decision 40 COM 7A.18 on the Ancient City of Damascus to coordinate with all stakeholders the measures to be taken for the protection of the property and the recovery of al-Asrooniya neighbourhood, and in particular of the “Ottoman Bank” historic building,
    • A follow-up training on emergency 3D recording and archiving of cultural heritage in high-risk zones was organized by UNESCO Office in Beirut from 26 to 30 October 2016 for staff members from several Syrian ministries, municipalities, NGOs and members of the Engineers Syndicate and the civil society, and provided training on the use of modern techniques for the digitization of their archives,
    • A training on the safeguarding and digitization of historic documents and archives in Syria, was organized in collaboration with the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) from 19 to 23 September 2016 in Beirut,
    • A 52-minute "Documentary on the Safeguarding of the Syrian Cultural Heritage" in Arabic, English and French, on the actions implemented for the protection of cultural heritage in Syria is being produced and foreseen to be launch by end of 2017;
  • The UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund and the World Heritage Centre have supported the evacuation of the Palmyra Museum collection and the damage assessment in the museum, carried out from May to August 2016. In addition, the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund has supported the organization of the below listed technical coordination meeting for the Ancient City of Aleppo (1-3 March 2017) and a coordination meeting entitled ‘Aleppo, the responsibility and the challenge’ organized by the Syrian Ministry of Tourism in Aleppo (15 March 2017), as well as emergency damage assessment and consolidation works in Aleppo;
  • Following the second international meeting for the Emergency Safeguarding of Syria’s Cultural Heritage organized by UNESCO in Berlin from 2- 4 June 2016 with the support of the German Government, the revised Road Map was finalized and published on the World Heritage Centre’s Website at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/1505/. The Road Map, which was drafted with the support of 230 Syrian and international experts concerns Syria’s built, movable and intangible heritage, and addresses coordination, ongoing initiatives on documentation, damage assessment, and capacity building efforts and defines the next steps focusing on future emergency and protection plans;
  • UNESCO organized a Training of the Trainers Workshop on World Heritage in Young Hands, in Damascus from 25 to 27 October 2016;
  • The World Heritage Centre has successfully fundraised with the Flemish Funds-in-Trust for the project ‘Implementation of the Committee Decisions for the Site of Palmyra’ (USD 100 000), approved in December 2016;
  • The joint World Heritage Centre/ICCROM/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission, which was foreseen to be carried out to Damascus in December 2016, could not take place under the United Nations security and safety rules. Nevertheless, in order to respond to urgent conservation needs, the World Heritage Centre organized a Technical Assistance Workshop at the UNESCO Office in Beirut from 13 to 15 December 2016, for the World Heritage properties of the Crac des Chevaliers, Palmyra and the Ancient City of Damascus. This Technical Assistance Workshop provided the DGAM Restoration Unit staff with the technical support needed for the conservation and restoration works in al-Asrooniya neighborhood in Damascus, at the Crac des Chevaliers and at the site of Palmyra (Citadel, National Museum of Palmyra, Temple of Bel and Triumphal Arch), through discussions on surveys, drawings, and projects. As a result, technical advice and recommendations were made by the experts on the priorities and actions to implement at these sites, see page: https://whc.unesco.org/en/events/1386/;

The UNESCO Office in Beirut undertook a Rapid Assessment mission to the Ancient City of Aleppo on 16-19 January 2017, together with the UN Resident Coordinator and the DGAM. The mission confirmed the extent of damages in the accessible areas of the property, as well as the state of educational institutions in the city and identified urgent and short term needs;

  • UNESCO organized a technical coordination meeting for the Ancient City of Aleppo in Beirut on 1-3 March 2017. The meeting gathered key representatives of national stakeholders, and international entities involved in the documentation, protection, conservation and strategic planning in Aleppo, with the objectives of harnessing the safeguarding of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in future recovery plans of the city and protecting the property. Participants agreed on short, medium and long term actions for the recovery of the property (see Plan of actions available at: https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/1639/);
  • Since April 2017, UNESCO appointed two national officers in Aleppo, one for Culture and one for Education to ensure coordination with local and national authorities for the implementation of activities for the recovery of the property; 
  • UNESCO and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research’s Operational Satellite Applications Programme (UNITAR/UNOSAT) are jointly preparing a publication on damage assessment in the Ancient City of Aleppo.

Activities undertaken by the Advisory Bodies

  • In September 2016 ICOMOS hosted an international workshop in Paris to explore the development of initial guidance on reconstruction in World Heritage properties. This 3-day workshop included delegates from State Parties, the Advisory Bodies and the World Heritage Centre as well as individual experts;
  • The outcome of the workshop, a document entitled Provisional ICOMOS Guidance on Post Trauma Reconstruction in Cultural World Heritage Properties, was launched in March 2017, and is available at: http://openarchive.icomos.org/1763/. This Guidance is addressed to State Parties who are the respondents to the traumas. It aims to fill the gap between emergency action and reconstruction. The Guidance does not focus on solutions but rather on the participative processes needed to find a solution that has the capacity to recover cultural value, and particularly the attributes of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). This document will be updated in response to feedback and complemented by case studies;
  • ICOMOS, through ICORP its International Scientific Committee on Risk Preparedness, and ICCROM are partners in the “AMAL in Heritage” programme for managing disaster and conflict risks for cultural heritage in the Middle East and North Africa. Other partners are the Global Heritage Fund, the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage, the Cultural Emergency Response programme at the Prince Claus Fund and the Iraqi Institute for the Conservation of Antiquities and Heritage in Erbil. AMAL aims to build capacity for heritage professionals and local community members in risk preparedness and emergency response procedures;
  • AMAL is developing user-friendly mobile and web applications for rapid damage assessment. These were tested in October 2016 at a workshop in Bahrain with participants from AMAL partners and other experts from the region. The workshop established the AMAL Beta Community of cultural heritage professionals from Syria, Iraq, and Tunisia who will contribute to the ongoing design process of the mobile application and will conduct on-site damage assessment exercises and projects in Syria, Iraq, Tunisia, and other countries in the region when conditions allow.


  • Analysis and Conclusions of the World Heritage Centre, ICOMOS and ICCROM

The armed conflict situation in Syria and its continued escalation has affected the six World Heritage properties and has substantially limited capacities to adequately sustain and protect their OUV. The properties have been increasingly threatened by ascertained and potential dangers, in particular the Ancient City of Aleppo, which has been extensively and increasingly destroyed, and which runs the risk of further irreversible destructions during the challenging recovery phase. From 11 December 2016 to 2 March 2017, Palmyra fell back under the control of extremist armed groups who inflicted additional invaluable damage to the property.

The illegal excavations across archaeological sites and tells in Syria are a major source for the illicit trafficking of cultural objects and are causing extensive and irreversible damages to those sites, many of which are on Syria’s Tentative List, as well as providing looted artifacts for sale in regional and international black markets.

It is recommended that the Committee commend the DGAM, heritage professionals in Syria and local communities who have made sustained efforts to protect cultural heritage and to monitor it closely.

The World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies will continue to support the State Party in the identification of the necessary corrective measures and in the development of a Desired state of conservation for the removal of the properties from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), as soon as the situation allows.

It is important that humanitarian and security actions be done in coordination with cultural heritage stakeholders, to avoid further irreversible damages to the properties, and allow for undertaking first aid measures for its cultural heritage. Furthermore, it is recommended that systematic documentation of all damage incurred at the World Heritage properties be duly pursued, whenever the situation allows, and that the Committee reiterate its call to the State Party to safeguard damaged properties through minimal first aid interventions to prevent theft, further collapse and natural degradation, and refrain from undertaking other measures until the situation allows for the development of a comprehensive strategy and action plan that respond to international standards and high-quality scientific methods.

With regard to post-conflict interventions, it is recommended that the Committee call on the State Party to plan the future of the World Heritage properties according to international conservation charters and standards, in full consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies.

It is recommended that the Committee call for international and national heritage professionals to continue to unite for the safeguarding of Syria’s cultural heritage; and to further support its safeguarding through earmarked funds and to contributions to the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund.

Until conditions improve, it is also recommended that the Committee urge all parties associated with the conflict in Syria to refrain from any action that can further damage the heritage of the country, in particular World Heritage properties and all sites included on the Tentative List, and to fulfill their obligations under international law, and in particular the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347 of March 2017, in part by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage including the evacuation of World Heritage properties used for military purposes, and the halting of all damages that result from targeting World Heritage properties. It is also recommended that the Committee reiterate its suggestion that the State Party consider ratifying the Second Protocol (1999) of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Heritage during times of Armed Conflict.

It is further recommended that the Committee also call upon all parties associated with the conflict in Syria and the international community, in particular the neighbouring countries to Syria, to ensure effective measures for the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural objects, in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2199.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2017
41 COM 7A.48
Crac des chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Syrian Arab Republic) (C 1229)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decisions 38 COM 7A.12, 39 COM 7A.36, and 40 COM 7A.17, adopted at its 38th (Doha, 2014), 39th (Bonn, 2015) and 40th (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016) sessions respectively,
  3. Taking into account Decision 41 COM 7A.50 on the World Heritage properties of the Syrian Arab Republic,
  4. Encourages the State Party to implement the recommendations of the Technical Assistance Workshop organized by the World heritage Centre, and undertake:
    1. The urgent and necessary small and medium scale consolidation and restoration works,
    2. The studies needed for complex restoration works,
  5. Encourages the State Party to develop a conservation plan for the property, including a risk management plan, to address restoration works, future conservation projects and regular maintenance;
  6. Reiterates to the State Party the need to limit restoration works to first aid interventions until the security situation improves;
  7. Calls on all UNESCO Member States to support emergency safeguarding measures, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
  8. Takes note of the State Party’s invitation of a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission to proceed to a comprehensive assessment of the state of conservation of the property and identify measures needed to reverse the decay and ensure the conservation and protection of the property, as soon as the security situation allows;
  9. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, 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 42nd session in 2018;
  10. Decides to retain the Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Syrian Arab Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
41 COM 7A.50
General Decision on the World Heritage properties of the Syrian Arab Republic

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decisions 38 COM 7A.12, 39 COM 7A.36 and 40 COM 7A.17, adopted at its 38th (Doha, 2014), 39th (Bonn, 2015) and 40th (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016) sessions respectively,
  3. Deplores the conflict situation prevailing in the country, the loss of human life and the degradation of humanitarian conditions;
  4. Taking note of the reports provided by the State Party regarding the state of conservation of the six Syrian World Heritage properties and of the sites inscribed on the Syrian Tentative List, commends the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) and all the heritage professionals and the local communities in Syria who are working on monitoring and protecting cultural heritage for their sustained efforts amidst extremely difficult conditions, but expresses its utmost concern at the damage occurred and the threats facing these properties and cultural heritage in general;
  5. Urges all parties associated with the situation in Syria to refrain from any action that would cause further damage to cultural heritage of the country and to fulfil their obligations under international law, and in particular the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347 of March 2017, by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage, including the halting of all damages that result from targeting World Heritage properties, sites included in the Tentative List and other cultural heritage sites;
  6. Also urges the State Party to adopt measures for the evacuation of World Heritage properties being used for military purposes;
  7. Further urges the State Party and the international community to include recovery actions within the properties to the overall humanitarian, security and peace building response;
  8. Urges furthermore the State Party to safeguard damaged properties through minimal first aid interventions to prevent theft, further collapse and natural degradation, and to refrain from undertaking conservation and restoration work until the situation allows, for the development of comprehensive conservation strategies and actions that respond to international standards in full consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;
  9. Requests the State Party to pursue the systematic documentation of all damage incurred by the World Heritage properties, whenever conditions allow, and to implement all possible risk mitigation measures, to inform on the development of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the properties from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and the identification of corrective measures for all six properties;
  10. Launches an appeal to all Member States of UNESCO to cooperate in fighting against the illicit trafficking of cultural heritage coming from Syria as per the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2199 of February 2015, and in engaging in the protection of cultural heritage during armed conflict as per the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347 of March 2017, and reiterates its suggestion to the State Party to consider ratifying the Second Protocol (1999) of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Heritage during times of Armed Conflict;
  11. Insists on the importance of ensuring that there be effective coordination of all efforts with a view to restoring, reconstructing, and conserving the cultural heritage of Syria with the effective participation of UNESCO ;
  12. Calls upon the international community to further support the safeguarding of Syrian cultural heritage through earmarked funds or through contribution to the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
  13. Also calls upon the international and national cultural heritage professionals to unite for the safeguarding of Syria’s cultural heritage, and pursue their ongoing initiatives in coordination with UNESCO;
  14. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, an updated report on the state of conservation of the properties and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 42nd session in 2018.
41 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/17/41.COM/7A, WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add and WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add.2),
  2. Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
    • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 41 COM 7A.54)
    • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 41 COM 7A.55)
    • Belize, Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (Decision 41 COM 7A.2)
    • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 41 COM 7A.23)
    • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.4)
    • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 41 COM 7A.24)
    • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.6)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.7)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.8)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.9)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.10)
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.11)
    • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 41 COM 7A.32)
    • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.3)
    • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 41 COM 7A.18)
    • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 41 COM 7A.33)
    • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 41 COM 7A.34)
    • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 41 COM 7A.35)
    • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 41 COM 7A.36)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 41 COM 7A.37)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 41 COM 7A.38)
    • Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 41 COM 7A.39)
    • Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 41 COM 7A.40)
    • Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 41 COM 7A.41)
    • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 41 COM 7A.14)
    • Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 41 COM 7A.28)
    • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 41 COM 7A.29)
    • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 41 COM 7A.30)
    • Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 41 COM 7A.56)
    • Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 41 COM 7A.15)
    • Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 41 COM 7A.42)
    • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 41 COM 7A.43)
    • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 41 COM 7A.25)
    • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 41 COM 7A.26)
    • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.16)
    • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 41 COM 7A.21)
    • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 41 COM 7A.19)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 41 COM 7A.44)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 41 COM 7A.45)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 41 COM 7A.46)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 41 COM 7A.47)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 41 COM 7A.48)
    • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 41 COM 7A.49)
    • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 41 COM 7A.31)
    • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 41 COM 7A.22)
    • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 41 COM 7A.17)
    • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 41 COM 7A.1)
    • Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 41 COM 7A.57)
    • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 41 COM 7A.27)
    • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 41 COM 7A.51)
    • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 41 COM 7A.52)
    • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 41 COM 7A.53)
      Draft Decision: 41 COM 7A.48

      The World Heritage Committee,

      1. Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add,
      2. Recalling Decisions 38 COM 7A.12, 39 COM 7A.36, and 40 COM 7A.17, adopted at its 38th (Doha, 2014), 39th (Bonn, 2015) and 40th (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016) sessions respectively,
      3. Taking into account Decision 41 COM 7A.50 on the World Heritage properties of the Syrian Arab Republic,
      4. Encourages the State Party to implement the recommendations of the Technical Assistance Workshop organized by the World heritage Centre, and undertake:
        1. The urgent and necessary small and medium scale consolidation and restoration works,
        2. The studies needed for complex restoration works,
      5. Encourages the State Party to develop a conservation plan for the property, including a risk management plan, to address restoration works, future conservation projects and regular maintenance;
      6. Reiterates to the State Party the need to limit restoration works to first aid interventions until the security situation improves;
      7. Calls on all UNESCO Member States to support emergency safeguarding measures, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
      8. Takes note of the State Party’s invitation of a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS/ICCROM Reactive Monitoring mission to proceed to a comprehensive assessment of the state of conservation of the property and identify measures needed to reverse the decay and ensure the conservation and protection of the property, as soon as the security situation allows;
      9. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, 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 42nd session in 2018;
      10. Decides to retain the Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Syrian Arab Republic) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

       

      Draft Decision: 41 COM 7A.50

      The World Heritage Committee,

      1. Having examined Document WHC/17/41.COM/7A.Add,
      2. Recalling Decisions 38 COM 7A.12, 39 COM 7A.36 and 40 COM 7A.17, adopted at its 38th (Doha, 2014), 39th (Bonn, 2015) and 40th (Istanbul/UNESCO, 2016) sessions respectively,
      3. Deplores the conflict situation prevailing in the country, the loss of human life and the degradation of humanitarian conditions;
      4. Taking note of the reports provided by the State Party regarding the state of conservation of the six Syrian World Heritage properties and of the sites inscribed on the Syrian Tentative List, commends the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museums (DGAM) and all the heritage professionals and the local communities in Syria who are working on monitoring and protecting cultural heritage for their sustained efforts amidst extremely difficult conditions, but expresses its utmost concern at the damage occurred and the threats facing these properties and cultural heritage in general;
      5. Urges all parties associated with the situation in Syria to refrain from any action that would cause further damage to cultural heritage of the country and to fulfil their obligations under international law, and in particular the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347 of March 2017, by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage, including the halting of all damages that result from targeting World Heritage properties, sites included in the Tentative List and other cultural heritage sites;
      6. Also urges the State Party to adopt measures for the evacuation of World Heritage properties being used for military purposes;
      7. Further urges the State Party and the international community to include recovery actions within the properties to the overall humanitarian, security and peace building response;
      8. Urges furthermore the State Party to safeguard damaged properties through minimal first aid interventions to prevent theft, further collapse and natural degradation, and to refrain from undertaking conservation and restoration work until the situation allows, for the development of comprehensive conservation strategies and actions that respond to international standards in full consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;
      9. Launches an appeal to all Member States of UNESCO to cooperate in fighting against the illicit trafficking of cultural heritage coming from Syria as per the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2199 of February 2015, and in engaging in the protection of cultural heritage during armed conflict as per the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347 of March 2017, and reiterates its suggestion to the State Party to consider ratifying the Second Protocol (1999) of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Heritage during times of Armed Conflict;
      10. Requests the State Party to pursue the systematic documentation of all damage incurred by the World Heritage properties, whenever conditions allow, and to implement all possible risk mitigation measures, to inform on the development of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the properties from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and the identification of corrective measures for all six properties;
      11. Calls upon the international community to further support the safeguarding of Syrian cultural heritage through earmarked funds or through contribution to the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
      12. Also calls upon the international and national cultural heritage professionals to unite for the safeguarding of Syria’s cultural heritage, and pursue their ongoing initiatives in coordination with UNESCO;
      13. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2018, an updated report on the state of conservation of the properties and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 42nd session in 2018.
      Report year: 2017
      Syrian Arab Republic
      Date of Inscription: 2006
      Category: Cultural
      Criteria: (ii)(iv)
      Danger List (dates): 2013-present
      Documents examined by the Committee
      SOC Report by the State Party
      Report (2017) .pdf
      arrow_circle_right 41COM (2017)
      Exports

      * : 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.


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