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City of Potosí

Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Factors affecting the property in 2019*
  • Legal framework
  • Management systems/ management plan
  • Mining
  • Surface water pollution
  • Other Threats:

    Instability and risk of collapse of the Cerro Rico; Deficiencies in conservation: special attention required for the restoration and upgrading of structures with residential use and the archaeological industrial heritage

Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Management systems/management plan
  • Mining (Potential degradation of the historic site by continued and uncontrolled mining operations in the Cerro Rico Mountain)
  • Surface water pollution
  • Instability and risk of collapse of the Cerro Rico
  • Deficiencies in conservation: special attention required for the restoration and upgrading of structures with residential use and the archaeological industrial heritage
  • Inefficient enforcement of protective legislation
  • Environmental impacts on the hydraulic complex which in turn affects historic fabric and local population
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
  • Instability and imminent risk of collapse of the Cerro Rico’s summit
  • Lack of conservation policy of integral character which considers all the components of the property
  • Deficiencies in conservation: special attention required for the restoration and upgrading of structures with residential use and the archaeological industrial heritage
  • Potential degradation of the historic site by continued and uncontrolled mining operations in the Cerro Rico Mountain
  • Inefficient enforcement of protective legislation
  • Threatening impacts of climatic, geological or other environmental factors
Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger
Corrective Measures for the property
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2019

Total amount granted: USD 10,000 for a World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS technical mission in 2005 financed by the Spanish Funds-in-Trust for World Heritage

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2019
Requests approved: 5 (from 1988-2015)
Total amount approved : 83,777 USD
Missions to the property until 2019**

May 1995 and November 2009: World Heritage Centre technical missions; November 2005 and February 2011: World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS technical missions; December 2013 and January 2014: Joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring missions; May 2017: World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS technical mission; October 2017 and May 2018: Technical missions facilitated by the World Heritage Centre

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2019

On 11 February 2019, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, the Executive Summary of which is available at http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/420/documents/, providing the following information:

  • The draft maps to clarify the property’s boundaries and define its buffer zone, which involved the participation of multiple institutions and the technical assistance of the ICOMOS mission, were prepared and submitted to the World Heritage Centre in June 2018;
  • Regarding Mining Productive Heritage, the draft Supreme Decree prepared by the Mining Corporation of Bolivia (COMIBOL) and supported by the Ministry of Cultures and Tourism that would define permanent mechanisms and legal instruments for the conservation of the morphological structure of the Cerro Rico is still under consideration by the national government. A risk signage project for Cerro Rico was developed and submitted to the World Heritage Centre for consideration;
  • Regarding Environmental Heritage, the Objectives, Strategies and Policies for the design of Programmes and Projects for the “Kari Kari Lagoon Hydraulic Complex”, incorporated into the draft IPMP, are listed;
  • Regarding Archaeological, Architectural and Urban Heritage, the Objectives, Strategies and Policies for the design of Programmes and Projects for Industrial Archaeological Heritage and for Urban and Architectural Heritage, incorporated into the draft IPMP, are listed;
  • The Ministry of Cultures and Tourism will organize a first national meeting of site managers of World Heritage properties to be held in 2019.

On 9 and 12 April 2019, respectively, the State Party submitted as additional information the above-mentioned draft Supreme Decree for the conservation of Cerro Rico, and a technical report prepared by COMIBOL (Reference APYM-0174/2017) on the situation of the Cerro Rico.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2019

The development of the property’s IPMP in collaboration with the local, regional and national levels of government has helped the State Party to direct its efforts to the property’s conservation and management in line with the adopted Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR). ICOMOS conducted a Technical Review of the draft IPMP, subsequently transmitted to the State Party in November 2018. However, there was no indication in the State Party’s report regarding the incorporation of these technical conclusions, nor for plans to finalize and approve the IPMP at the national level. These final steps are necessary in order to meet Indicator 14 of the DSOCR, and to ensure the appropriate implementation of the programmes and projects identified for the property’s conservation and management.

The technical work to clarify the property’s boundaries and establish a suitable buffer zone has been completed. The maps developed respond adequately to Indicators 9, 12 and 13 of the DSOCR regarding the delimitation of the property’s sub-zones of protection, clarification of the current limits of the property, and the definition of a buffer zone, respectively. These maps, as well as the definition of the relevant institutional competencies related to the management of the different geographical areas, will need to be incorporated into the final version of the IPMP and any other relevant planning documents. It should also be noted that the State Party submitted a request for clarification of boundaries as well as a Minor Boundary Modification to the World Heritage Centre, both which will be examined by the World Heritage Committee under item 8 of the Agenda (see Document WHC/19/43.COM/8B).

Regarding the complete set of corrective measures, the State Party’s report does not provide clear and comprehensive information, including the relevant annexes, regarding actions undertaken and planned, making it difficult to assess the advances achieved to date on all issues. Although the technical report prepared by COMIBOL in October 2017 outlines the current situation of the Cerro Rico in regards to mining activity, and particularly that occurring over the established 4,400m limit, the State Party’s report does not provide clear and detailed information on actions undertaken to implement the indicators outlined for Mining Productive Heritage, particularly for the relocation of miners working above 4,400m and the stabilization works for the Cerro Rico. Nor does the report provide information on the restoration works undertaken in the Historic Centre and the implementation of the city’s Master Plan, as noted in previous state of conservation reports.

There appears to be no progress since January 2018 on the approval by the national government of the draft Supreme Decree developed by COMIBOL that would formalize planning and financing mechanisms for the conservation and management of Cerro Rico. The approval and implementation of this important legal mechanism, which outlines the basis for annual action plans for immediate implementation, is further supported by the Ministry of Cultures and Tourism, as a key element for achieving the DSOCR. 

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2019
43 COM 7A.48
City of Potosi (Bolivia, Plurinational State of) (C 420)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/19/43.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 42 COM 7A.8, adopted at its 42nd session (Manama, 2018),
  3. Commends the State Party on the collaborative and inter-institutional approach taken to address the diverse issues related to the property’s conservation and management;
  4. Takes note of the submission in June 2018 of the draft Integrated and Participatory Management Plan (IPMP) for the property, and urges the State Party to ensure its finalization and approval by 1 December 2019, taking into consideration the conclusions of the ICOMOS Technical Review of November 2018;
  5. Takes note with satisfaction of the submission of a request for clarification of boundaries and a Minor Boundary Modification for the property, and requests the State Party to incorporate the updated maps into the IPMP and any other relevant planning documents;
  6. Also requests the State Party to advance as a matter of urgency in the approval of the draft Supreme Decree that would formalize important planning and financing mechanisms for the conservation and management of Cerro Rico, which still remains under consideration by the national government;
  7. Expresses its concern that clear and detailed information has not been provided regarding progress towards the relocation of miners above the 4,400m limit and the stabilization works and management mechanisms for Cerro Rico, nor on the implementation of restoration works and the Master Plan for the Historic Centre as reported in previous years, and further requests the State Party to provide updated information in this regard;
  8. Reiterates its request to the State Party to provide detailed information on each of the indicators established in the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and in reference to the approved timeline contained in Decision 41 COM 7A.23, and include in its next report the relevant supporting documents in annex, in order to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the progress achieved in implementing the DSOCR;
  9. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2020, 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 44th session in 2020;
  10. Decides to retain City of Potosí (Bolivia (Plurinational State of)) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
43 COM 8B.50
City of Potosí (Plurinational State of Bolivia)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Documents WHC/19/43.COM/8B.Add and WHC/19/43.COM/INF.8B1.Add,
  2. Refers the proposed buffer zone for the City of Potosí, Plurinational State of Bolivia, back to the State Party in order to allow it to:
    1. Elaborate a clear description of:
      1. the limits of the buffer zone,
      2. the limits of the area of environmental influence,
    2. Clarify the rationale for the delineation of these boundaries, by taking into account the protection of the visually sensitive areas around the property, as mentioned by the Decision 38 COM 7B.38,
    3. Provide explicit information on the legal and management aspects, such as land use regulations, that are applied in the regulation of the newly defined buffer zone and area of environmental influence,
    4. Provide detailed explanations on the different regulations applicable in areas which are already in place and overlapping with the buffer zone (such as Intensive Protection Area of the Historical Center, the Historic Center Transition Area, the Protected Area of the Ribera de los Ingenios, and the Cerro Rico Protection Area), and also describe which regulations take precedence,
    5. Consider the possibility to homogenize the limits of the different zones, in order to reduce overlap.
43 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/19/43.COM/7A, WHC/19/43.COM/7A.Add, WHC/19/43.COM/7A.Add.2, WHC/19/43.COM/7A.Add.3 and WHC/19/43.COM/7A.Add.3.Corr),
  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 43 COM 7A.41)
  • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision43 COM 7A.42)
  • Austria, Historic Centre of Vienna (Decision 43 COM 7A.45)
  • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 43 COM 7A.48)
  • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.5)
  • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 43 COM 7A.6)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.7)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.8)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 43 COM 7A.9)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.10)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.11)
  • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 43 COM 7A.17)
  • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 43 COM 7A.4)
  • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 43 COM 7A.1)
  • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 43 COM 7A.18)
  • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 43 COM 7A.19)
  • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 43 COM 7A.20)
  • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 43 COM 7A.22)
  • Kenya, Lake Turkana National Parks (Decision 43 COM 7A.12)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 43 COM 7A.23)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 43 COM 7A.24)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 43 COM 7A.25)
  • Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 43 COM 7A.26)
  • Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 43 COM 7A.27)
  • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 43 COM 7A.13)
  • Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 43 COM 7A.53)
  • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 43 COM 7A.54)
  • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 43 COM 7A.55)
  • Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 43 COM 7A.43)
  • Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 43 COM 7A.14)
  • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 43 COM 7A.30)
  • Palestine, Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town (Decision 43 COM 7A.29)
  • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 43 COM 7A.50)
  • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 43 COM 7A.51)
  • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.15)
  • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 43 COM 7A.46)
  • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 43 COM 7A.2)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 43 COM 7A.31)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 43 COM 7A.32)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 43 COM 7A.33)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 43 COM 7A.34)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 43 COM 7A.35)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 43 COM 7A.36)
  • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 43 COM 7A.56)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 43 COM 7A.47)
  • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 43 COM 7A.16)
  • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 43 COM 7A.3)
  • Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 43 COM 7A.44)
  • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 43 COM 7A.52)
  • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 43 COM 7A.38)
  • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 43 COM 7A.39)
  • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 43 COM 7A.40)
43 COM 8D
Clarifications of property boundaries and areas by States Parties

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/19/43.COM/8D,
  2. Recalling Decision 42 COM 8D, adopted at its 42nd session (Manama, 2018),
  3. Acknowledges the excellent work accomplished by States Parties in the clarification of the boundaries of their World Heritage properties and commends them for their efforts to improve the credibility of the World Heritage List;
  4. Recalls that the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies are not able to examine proposals for minor or significant modifications to boundaries of World Heritage properties whenever the delimitations of such properties as inscribed remain unclear;
  5. Takes note of the clarifications of property boundaries and areas provided by the States Parties as presented in the Annex of Document WHC/19/43.COM/8D:

    ARAB STATES

    • Jordan, Quseir Amra

    ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

    • Kazakhstan, Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi

    EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA

    • Germany, Maulbronn Monastery Complex
    • Italy, Venice and its Lagoon
    • Russian Federation, Citadel, Ancient City and Fortress Buildings of Derbent
    LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
    • Bolivia, City of Potosí
    • Ecuador, City of Quito

  6. Requests the States Parties which have not yet answered the questions raised in the framework of the Retrospective Inventory to provide all clarifications and documentation as soon as possible, and by 1 December 2019 at the latest, for their subsequent examination, if the technical requirements are met, by the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2020.
Draft Decision: 43 COM 7A.48

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/19/43.COM/7A,
  2. Recalling Decision 42 COM 7A.8, adopted at its 42nd session (Manama, 2018),
  3. Commends the State Party on the collaborative and inter-institutional approach taken to address the diverse issues related to the property’s conservation and management;
  4. Takes note of the submission in June 2018 of the draft Integrated and Participatory Management Plan (IPMP) for the property, and urges the State Party to ensure its finalization and approval by 1 December 2019, taking into consideration the conclusions of the ICOMOS Technical Review of November 2018;
  5. Takes note with satisfaction of the submission of a request for clarification of boundaries and a Minor Boundary Modification for the property, and requests the State Party to incorporate the updated maps into the IPMP and any other relevant planning documents;
  6. Also requests the State Party to advance as a matter of urgency in the approval of the draft Supreme Decree that would formalize important planning and financing mechanisms for the conservation and management of Cerro Rico, which still remains under consideration by the national government;
  7. Expresses its concern that clear and detailed information has not been provided regarding progress towards the relocation of miners above the 4,400m limit and the stabilization works and management mechanisms for Cerro Rico, nor on the implementation of restoration works and the Master Plan for the Historic Centre as reported in previous years, and further requests the State Party to provide updated information in this regard;
  8. Reiterates its request to the State Party to provide detailed information on each of the indicators established in the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and in reference to the approved timeline contained in Decision 41 COM 7A.23, and include in its next report the relevant supporting documents in annex, in order to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the progress achieved in implementing the DSOCR;
  9. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2020, 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 44th session in 2020;
  10. Decides to retain City of Potosí (Bolivia (Plurinational State of)) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Report year: 2019
Bolivia (Plurinational State of)
Date of Inscription: 1987
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (ii)(iv)(vi)
Danger List (dates): 2014-present
Documents examined by the Committee
SOC Report by the State Party
Report (2019) .pdf
arrow_circle_right 43COM (2019)
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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