Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia

• Legal framework (Legislation LB392 not yet passed and implemented)
• Management systems/Management Plan (Management system not extended enough; Lack of a risk preparedness strategy as well as of a comprehensive tourism strategy into the management plan)
• Erosion and siltation/ deposition (Need to remove silt from the waterways without jeopardizing possible cultural layers on the sea floor)

• Management system/Management Plan
• Management activities (Overgrowth of vegetation, Stonework collapse)
• Storms (Effects of storm surge)
• Erosion and siltation/ deposition

In progress

In progress

In progress

Total amount provided: USD 120,000 for the preparation of a nomination file and the management plan for Nan Madol from the UNESCO/Japan Funds-in-Trust; USD 26,232 for technical support to Nan Madol, Micronesia (List of World Heritage in Danger) from the Netherlands Funds-in-Trust.

On 27 January 2022, the State Party submitted a report on the state of conservation of the property, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1503/documents/. Further information was received on 4 May 2023, and the following bullet points report on all the information received and provide information on the actions undertaken to implement the Committee’s previous decisions, as follows:

• Travel to Pohnpei was not possible from January 2020 due to border closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many activities have been delayed by these restrictions, although work has progressed through virtual meetings;
• The State Party and the NGO Cultural Site Research and Management Foundation (CSRM) prepared a Master Plan for the Sustainable Conservation of the Nan Madol World Heritage Site in 2020. Progress with the completion and implementation of this Plan in 2021-2022 has been impacted by the inability to travel to Pohnpei;
• In relation to the state of conservation, managing the vegetation growth caused by the siltation of the canals has been an urgent priority and is a focus in the Master Plan, along with the management structure and the activation of networks. The United States Department of Agriculture has financed the involvement of an arborist to develop the vegetation management plan and conduct training. Urgent vegetation management actions and mangrove clearing along the main canals took place from late 2022 to January 2023;
• Grants have allowed the purchase of tools needed for vegetation management, training and directional signage. Training was delayed by COVID-19 restrictions, but videos to support virtual training have been prepared, and virtual trainings occurred in the fall of 2022 and early 2023;
• The Master Plan also contains a ‘Sustainable Tourism Plan’ and an ‘Interpretation Plan Discussion Draft’. The Tourism Office of the Pohnpei State Department of Resources and Development is working on a Tourism Plan;
• The State Party has clarified that the previous draft Management Plan that was submitted with the nomination dossier was never finalised due to the need to develop governance for the property. An outline for a Management Plan was presented to stakeholders for comments in 2019 and 2020. The Pohnpei Governor’s Task Force will finalise the Management Plan, which will be the basis for changes to the legal protection mechanisms for the property;
• The completion of the legal framework (legislation LB392) to establish the Nan Madol Trust and the framework for the management structure for the property has been delayed by COVID-19 travel restrictions. A workshop was planned for 2022, but it has not happened yet. Capacity building has been identified as a priority. Organisations with a continuing involvement include the US National Park Service, US Office of insular Affairs, US Department of Agriculture, International National Trust Organisation (INTO) and the Bahamas National Trust;
• An organisational chart has been developed with qualifications and duties for each position in the future management system, including the post of ‘Property Manager’. The current plan is to fund the post from the visitor revenue;
• Noting the significant practical obstacles to documentation, the State Party advises that more precise visual models of the stonework and other attributes can be produced based on LiDAR survey conducted by the CSRM Foundation, and an example has been provided. Furthermore, satellite imagery will assist with monitoring of mangroves;
• Efforts to establish Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) processes require further discussions between national and State agencies to clearly assign responsibilities;
• Following ICOMOS’ Technical Review, work has progressed on the designs and specifications for a Visitor Centre funded by the Government of Japan, including interpretation exhibits and panels;
• Construction of a tourism resort on Nahnningi Island, within the buffer zone of the property, has continued. ICOMOS had raised concerns about this project in its Technical Review of December 2019, and further clarification on legal process from the State Party is still pending. The HIA process has commenced, but has been delayed by COVID-19 restrictions;
• The Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) has not yet been drafted.

The State Party has provided updated information on a range of matters. Some progress has been made in relation to the actions requested in Decision 44 COM 7A.30, although many have been delayed due to border and travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As before, the collaboration with the CSRM in these processes is noted, along with the financial and technical support from the US Forest Service, the US Department of State, and the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, amongst others.

The priorities for vegetation management, clearing of the canals to improve their hydrology, and a system for monitoring the health of the mangroves area are well-identified but need urgent implementation and resourcing. Progress to implement the strategies for the most urgent threats associated with vegetation growth on islets and other structures were delayed but took place in 2022 and 2023, following a virtual training programme. While the delays have been unavoidable, the rate of deterioration of Nan Madol continues to be of concern.

It is also noted with concern that the key components of the legal protection and management system are not yet in place, despite the State Party’s efforts. The position of ‘Property Manager’, which will represent an essential first step, is not yet filled. The management system and draft legislation for the protection of the property are still pending, and it is recommended that the State Party be encouraged to finalise these processes, along with the key management documents, as matters of high priority. The tourism and interpretation plans submitted by the State Party are noted.

It is also noted that construction works for a tourism resort on Nahnningi Island have continued, although the State Party’s report indicated that they were to be halted before an HIA was carried out. It is essential that the HIA is completed and reviewed prior to any further decision about this development, given that the ICOMOS Technical Review raised significant concerns about the impact of the development on archaeological material and found that there would be an impact on the integrity of the property due to its visibility, form and siting. This development issue demonstrates the urgent need for adequate legal protection for the property and its buffer zone, and the need for HIA to be incorporated as a component of the property’s management system, all of which are points that have been raised in previous decisions of the Committee.

Finally, it is noted that the DSOCR for Nan Madol has yet to be drafted. In view of the above, it would be therefore appropriate for the property to remain on the List of World Heritage in Danger.