Angkor

• Uncontrolled urban expansion;
• Lack of an appropriate management system;
• Lack of clarity regarding property rights, ownership and building codes;
• Poor law enforcement;
• Lack of capacity of management agency.

Total amount provided to the property: Approximately USD 600 million through various international partners (1992-present)

On 24 November 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/668/documents/ and presents information about conservation projects and various issues as follows:

• In 2022, 21 conservation projects are ongoing in the Angkor archaeological park (15 by the national management authority: Bakong, Bayon, Preah Kô, Lolei, Trapeang Phong, Tonlé Sgnuot, Sras Srang, Banteay Kdei (Portail Ouest), Kravan, Kauk Chok, Bay Kaek, Batchum, Pré Rup, Banteay Samré, Banteay Srei, Prohm Kel, Porte de Dei Chhnang; and 6 by international teams or joint projects: Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, West Mebon, Preah Pithu);
• New and important archaeological discovery at Ta Kav (Angkor Thom);
• Safeguarding of the hydraulic network;
• Tree plantation programme, notably in the surroundings of Angkor Wat;
• The updated Tourism Development Plan, building on the basis of the previous 2012 Tourism Management Plan, and present the proposed tourism planning for 2020-2030;
• Renewal of the tourism infrastructure at numerous landmarks within the Angkor archaeological park and several roads and the planning of tourism-related projects, such as alternative itineraries, harmonizing signages, tourist behaviour analysis, and an interpretation facility near the ticket office;
• Cancellation of the previously discussed project of ‘The Lake of Wonder’, following the recommendations of the International Coordination Committee for Angkor (ICC-Angkor) and UNESCO;
• Preparation, with the co-presidents of the ICC (France and Japan) and UNESCO, of the fourth Intergovernmental Conference in November 2023, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, to celebrate the start of the fourth decade of international cooperation for Angkor.

Since late 2022, the World Heritage Centre has received correspondences from third parties, including international media, concerning disturbance to the wildlife (primates) caused by social media content producers as well as a massive relocation programme for local communities illegally settled on the site.

There has been steady progress with monument preservation, environmental conservation and tourism management. The fourth Intergovernmental Conference on Angkor, foreseen in November 2023, will inaugurate the fourth decade of international cooperation under the aegis of the ICC-Angkor, provides an opportunity to share the achievements for this emblematic site and set renewed objectives for partnership and cooperation for the next 10 years.

Despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, national and international institutions have been active in various preservation initiatives and promoted operations that enhanced national capacity in the field of conservation and sustainable development. The report lists 27 recent archaeological and historical surveys and interventions. Along with monument conservation, archaeological research, rehabilitation of the ancient hydraulic system and vegetation management across the archaeological park have been implemented to retain the integrity and authenticity of the property in its environmental setting.

The Tourism Development Plan was subject to technical review by ICOMOS, which concluded that it is well-researched and informed in terms of best-practice approaches to sustainable tourism management, but that some key initiatives from the 2012 Tourism Management Plan (TMP) need to be addressed and that an assessment of carrying capacity (as proposed in the 2021 TMP) is essential. The technical review recommends that the Tourism Development Plan be revised, clarifying its relationship with the 2012 TMP and addressing other critical concerns, such as the integration of guidelines for future tourism projects in line with the 2015 Policy Document for the Integration of a Sustainable Development Perspective into the Processes of the World Heritage Convention, that could guide the scale, scope and nature of future tourism projects and avoid potential impact on Outstanding Universal Value (OUV).

In response to the concerns raised by third parties concerning social media producers disturbing primates, a clear policy has been implemented to prohibit mistreatment. Wildlife within the perimeters of the archaeological monuments could also jeopardize the monuments’ state of conservation and visitor safety. The State Party might be encouraged to consider how best to control these issues.

The encroachment of illegal settlements within the property is being addressed by relocation of illegal occupants, which has been reported by third party, including a letter from Amnesty International, as a violation of human rights. This issue has been raised several times since the property’s inscription on the World Heritage List, and an expert mission and report were specifically dedicated to this question in 2005. Decision 32 COM 7B.65 recommended the application of regulations in zones 1 and 2 to avoid uncontrolled urban expansion, by enforcing “existing laws regarding illegal occupation, unauthorised construction and development”. The State Party’s most recent report provides a specific section on this issue (Annex 1). The zoning regulations and the applicable laws clearly define the use of the different zones within the property. Although the local communities and inhabitants already present before the inscription (across 113 villages) are not the subject of current programme of resident relocation, recent uncontrolled illegal settlements and illegal constructions are regarded by the State Party and conservation experts as incompatible with the required visual, sanitary, safety and environmental standards to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the property. The new settlements may also physically affect archaeological remains and landscape attributes.

Demographic pressure within the archaeological park, and environmental and land use requirements have supported a decision to relocate illegal settlers, rather than forcing their eviction. To date, 9,000 families from zones 1 and 2 have moved on to two nearby resettlement areas with improved facilities (Run Ta Ek and Peak Snèng). This situation was reported as disturbing social cohesion and causing inequity. The settlements were inspected by the ad hoc experts of the ICC-Angkor in December 2022. Having regard to the recommendations of the ICC-Angkor, the Committee may wish to recommend that the State Party continue its efforts to maintain the OUV of the property, ensure decent living conditions for all inhabitants and communities, and note measures taken for resettlement of illegal occupants. The Committee may also request the State Party to reinforce its outreach to all local populations to raise awareness about the importance of zoning regulations for the preservation of the property, and to avoid major social destabilization arising from unlawful settling.