Decision 45 COM 7B.147

Ḥimā Cultural Area (Saudi Arabia) (C 1619)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 8B.11 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online 2021),
3. Takes notes with satisfaction of the progress made by the State Party in implementing the recommendations made by the Committee at the time of inscription;
4. Encourages the State Party to continue its efforts to set up the documentation system and to complete the inventory of heritage sites within the buffer zone and the wider setting;
5. Also encourages the State Party to complete the monitoring programme, commence its implementation as soon as possible, and refine it based on lessons learned, particularly in relation to the conservation indicators, which should be prioritized;
6. Further encourages the State Party to implement the conservation programme for the Ḥimā wells, within the expected timeframe, and to develop a similar programme for the property as a whole;
7. Recommends the State Party to carry out Heritage Impact Assessments, in line with the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context, for any projects related to tourism activities and infrastructure that may arise in the future and requests the State Party to submit, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, detailed information on any such projects within the property, its buffer zone and wider setting, which may impact the Outstanding Universal Value of the property, for review by the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies prior to any decisions being taken that could be difficult to reverse;
8. Also takes notes of the State Party’s intention to submit to the World Heritage Centre a proposal for a minor boundary modification, prepared in accordance with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines, to expand the buffer zone and also recommends that the State Party consider the option of extending the property as well, in case information comes to light from the inventory and archaeological research, that would reinforce the integrity and understanding of the property;
9. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2024, 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 47th session.