Decision 38 COM 7A.3

Samarra Archaeological City (Iraq) (C 276 rev)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-14/38.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7A.25, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
3. Welcomes the efforts made by the State Party in the implementation of a restoration programme for the property;
4. Reiterates the need for the State Party to pursue its efforts and prioritise the implementation of the following, as requested by the Committee in its Decision 37 COM7A.25:
   1. Develop baseline documentation, including missing architectural plans and topographic surveys, carry out a detailed conservation condition survey,
   2. Undertake identified preventive conservation actions to ensure the stability of the built fabric,
   3. Identify regulatory measures to ensure the protection of the property and establish protocols for the approval of public works in the vicinity of the site, including the development of heritage and environmental impact assessments,
   4. Initiate the planning process for the development of the Management Plan for the property, including a comprehensive conservation plan,
   5. Establish a site management unit with adequate staff to implement priority conservation measures as well as maintenance and monitoring actions;
5. Also reiterates its request to the State Party to develop, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, proposals for corrective measures and for the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, together with a proposed timeframe for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
6. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015;
7. Decides to retain Samarra Archaeological City (Iraq) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.