Decision 39 COM 7B.54

Tyre (Lebanon) (C 299)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-15/39.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 36 COM 7B.52, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
3. Welcomes the progress that has been made with a number of management and conservation measures which were addressed by the Committee at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013), as well as the submission of an updated Action Plan for the management and conservation of the property;
4. Also welcomes the partnership agreement with the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and the Tunisian Heritage Institute, which will facilitate the preparation of a management plan for the property;
5. Requests the State Party, in accordance with Decision 36 COM 7B.52, to continue its progress with the implementation of the recommendations of the 2012 Reactive Monitoring mission, particularly:
   1. Undertake a planning process for the development of a management plan for the property and include provisions for a conservation strategy, risk preparedness, presentation and interpretation as well as for regulatory measures,
   2. Ensure that the management structure becomes fully operational by securing adequate resources for all aspects of documentation, conservation and monitoring,
   3. Establish a maritime protection zone around the seashores of Tyre,
   4. Improve on-going maintenance practices for vegetation control and put in place measures for fire prevention and adequate drainage and sewage systems,
   5. Establish a recovery programme for detached mosaics and ensure their protection until a decision is made on their conservation and restoration,
   6. Monitor conservation interventions to assess their efficacy and use the monitor results to inform the development of the conservation strategy,
   7. Further develop and implement the framework for coordination of the Baalbek and Tyre Archaeological Project (BTAP) and enhance cooperation between the General Directorate of Antiquities (DGA), the “Cultural Heritage and Urban Development” (CHUD), the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to effectively monitor the design and implementation of the project;
6. Also requests the State Party to provide a copy of the forthcoming management plan to the World Heritage Centre as soon as it has been prepared;
7. Further welcomes the submission of a concept strategy regarding traffic in Tyre, provided as part of a broader urban development and conservation program, but further requests the State Party, in accordance with Decision 36 COM 7B.52, to carry out a comprehensive traffic study that clarifies all projected street networks and roundabouts, including Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) for the South Highway and its crossing at Tel el-Maachouk, and to submit this study to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
8. Requests furthermore the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2016, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, as well as a revised and updated version of the Action Plan, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 41st session in 2017.