Decision 46 COM 7B.38

Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro (Pakistan) (C 138)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7B.Add.2,
2. Recalling Decision 45 COM 7B.169 adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
3. Commends the State Party’s continued actions and commitment following the August 2022 monsoon and flood impacts, in particular its close collaboration with the World Heritage Centre regarding the recommendations of the UNESCO emergency missions in 2022 and 2023, the elaboration of the integrated conservation strategy, short-term conservation actions, research into major causes of deterioration, and expansion and training of the workforce, and encourages the State Party to continue its efforts, including:
   1. Completion of the overall condition assessments of the property with maps by quarters and by damage and risk,
   2. Continuation of short-term conservation actions to address the most vulnerable and damaged parts of the property,
   3. Ongoing research regarding the causes of deterioration and appropriate preventive and remedial actions;
4. Takes note of the findings and conclusions of the March 2024 joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission, and requests the State Party to implement its recommendations, including on conservation and management, further research, equipment needs and data management, appropriate conservation interventions and methodologies and their evaluation for effectiveness, vulnerability assessment, short- and long-term priorities, drainage, stakeholder participation, the site museum, elaboration of an integrated Management Plan with a refined Disaster Risk Reduction plan, and overall governance;
5. Reminds the State Party that Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs), following the methodology of the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessment in a World Heritage Context, should be prepared for projects with potential impact on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, and documentation, including the HIAs, should be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies, prior to commencement, in conformity with paragraphs 172 and 118bis of the Operational Guidelines, prior to making any irreversible decisions;
6. Also encourages the State Party to continue its collaboration with the World Heritage Centre to finalise the technical proposal for the proposed multi-annual preservation project, to secure funds to support conservation needs, to review and possibly update the existing management and conservation tools, and to establish an Integrated Management Plan to strengthen emergency response and preparedness to the multiple effects of climate change and extreme natural hazards, and calls on all States Parties to support this appeal;
7. Finally Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2025, 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 48th session.