Decision 44 COM 7B.117

Asmara: a Modernist City of Africa (Eritrea) (C 1550)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/21/44.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 43 COM 7B.104, adopted at its 43rd session (Baku, 2019),
3. Commends the ongoing activities aimed at building the capacity of stakeholders at the property in order to enhance the skills and knowledge to safeguard its OUV;
4. Acknowledges the progress made on the Urban Conservation Master Plan (UCMP) and the Asmara Planning and Technical Regulation (APTR), but requests the State Party to work with its consultants to finalize these documents in order to submit them as soon as possible to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
5. Also requests the State Party to complete the process of designation of the Property as a Protected Site within the framework of the Cultural and Natural Heritage Proclamation of 2015 in order to provide a framework for the implementation of the UCMP and for the safeguarding of the property;
6. Further reiterates its request for the development of a financial strategy through the foreseen Local Economic Development Plan, linked to the UCMP, for funding the necessary conservation and management activities;
7. Congratulates the State Party for the steps taken for capacity building, and encourages it to continue in these efforts both in regard to managing the historic urban landscape and to the physical conservation of this important modern heritage;
8. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2022 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 46th session.