Distribution limited CLT-90/CONF.004/13
12 December 1990
Original: French/English
UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL,
SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION
CONVENTION CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF THE
WORLD CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE
Report of the World Heritage Committee
Fourteenth Session
Banff, Alberta, Canada, 7-12 December 1990
I. INTRODUCTION
1. The fourteenth ordinary session of the World Heritage
Committee was held in Banff, Alberta, Canada, from 7-12 December
1990. It was attended by the following Member States: Brazil,
Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, France, Greece, Indonesia, Italy,
Mexico, Peru, Senegal, Thailand, Tunisia, the United Republic of
Tanzania and the United States of America.
2. The following States Parties to the Convention who are not
members of the Committee were represented by observers: Burkina
Faso, China (People's Republic of), Dominican Republic,
Finland, Germany, Holy See, Philippines, Republic of Guinea,
Romania, Turkey, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics and Yugoslavia.
3. Representatives of the International Centre for the Study
of the Preservation and the Restoration of Cultural Property
(ICCROM), the International Council on Monuments and Sites
(ICOMOS) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) attended the
meeting in an advisory capacity. The complete list of
participants appears in the Appendix.
II. OPENING SESSION
4. The outgoing Chairman of the Committee, Mr. A. Beschaouch,
opened the session by thanking the Canadian authorities for
their generous invitation to host in Banff the fourteenth
session of the World Heritage Committee and wished the Committee
every success in their work.
5. The representative of the Minister of the Environment of
Canada, Mr. Robert Wenman, MP for Fraser Valley West, warmly
welcomed the members of the Committee to Banff, where in 1885,
Canada started the National Parks System. He stated that the
*[2] World Heritage Committee was a true symbol of the
international community's commitment to preserve its cultural
and natural heritage. But more than just a symbol, the
Committee had, in its short eighteen years of existence,
realized a remarkable list of achievements. He commended the
Committee for its decision to protect 322 properties throughout
the world. Mr Wenmaan honoured the memory of René Maheu, former
Director General of Unesco, a man of vision who believed in the
inseparable values of culture and nature. He reminded the
participants that Canada had been one of the first signatories
of the Convention and reaffirmed his government's commitment to
fulfil its duty as a State Party by helping the Committee
achieve its objectives. In this connection he mentioned the
Government of Canada's assistance in the organization of the
International Symposium of World Heritage Cities, to be held in
Quebec City in July 1991. He also mentioned Wood Buffalo
National Park, reaffirming Canada's commitment to take all
possible measures to resolve the problems at this park, where
the bison have become diseased. Mr. Wenman informed the
Committee that the Government of Canada would be releasing a
Green Plan in the days ahead. The Green Plan is aimed at
achieving a healthy environment and will be an essentialworking
tool for the 1990s. He expressed his desire that the awareness
of the preservation of the world's common heritage continue to
grow. Achieving this objective would require the joint efforts
of Unesco, specialized institutions, governments and the media.
He closed by wishing the Committee every success in its work.
6. The representative of the Director-General of Unesco,
Ms Anne Raidl, Director of the Division of Physical Heritage,
welcomed the Committee on behalf of the Director-General. She
warmly thanked the Canadian authorities for their generous
invitation to host the session of the Committee at a superb
world heritage site. Referring to the agenda of the session,
Mrs. Raidl drew attention to the magnitude of the task before
the Committee, since it was called upon to contribute more and
more actively to the preservation of World Heritage properties.
It is a difficult task, but one without which the mere listing
of these properties as part of the heritage of humankind would
be pointless. The Committee will have to reflect on means of
countering the threats posed by the uncontrolled development of
tourism, urban growth and the degradation of the environment.
Ms Raidl mentioned the celebration of the twentieth anniversary
of the Convention in 1992, and expressed the desire that, by
then, the Convention become truly effective through a policy
aimed at monitoring the state of conservation of protected
monuments and sites implemented by the Committee by means of the
World Heritage Fund.
III. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
7. The Committee adopted the agenda that had been proposed to
it, deciding to examine, under Other Business, the possibility
of authorizing the Bureau to approve the report of the Committee
before it is presented to the next General Conference of Unesco.
*[3]
IV. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON, RAPPORTEUR AND VICE-CHAIRPERSONS
8. Ms Christina S. Cameron (Canada) was elected Chairperson of
the Committee by acclamation. Ms. Vlad-Borrelli (Italy) was
elected as the Rapporteur, and the following members of the
Committee were elected Vice-Chairpersons: Bulgaria, Mexico,
Senegal, Thailand and Tunisia.
V. REPORT ON ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN SINCE THE THIRTEENTH
SESSION
9. Mr Bernd von Droste, Director of the Division of
EcologicalSciences, reported on the activities undertaken since
the thirteenth session of the Committee, held in Paris from 11-
15 December 1989.
10. He began by informing the Committee that six new States had
ratified the Convention during the year: Belize, Fiji,
Mongolian People's Republic, Romania, Czechoslovakia and
Venezuela. Given the unification of the People's Democratic
Republic of Yemen and the Yemen Arab Republic on the one hand
and of the German Democratic Republic and the Federal Republic
of Germany on the other, the Convention now has 115 States
Parties. The growing interest of States in the Convention is
matched by that of associations, institutions, media and the
general public, as can be seen by the many requests for
information received by the Secretariat and the many
initiatives, such as publications, exhibits, and films, in which
the Secretariat has been involved. He added that the promotion
of the Convention would benefit considerably from increased co-
operation of the States Parties. He urged them to form world
heritage associations, which would be very useful in the
preparation of the twentieth anniversary of the Convention, in
1992.
11. Mr von Droste raised the issue of the specific threats to
certain sites and underscored the need for the Committee to
monitor the state of conservation of World Heritage properties,
utilizing international assistance available from the World
Heritage Fund. He outlined the various activities carried out
by the Secretariat in the area of preparatory assistance,
emergency assistance, international assistance and training.
The latter was becoming increasingly important and diversified,
as can be seen by the number of grants awarded and the seminars
and courses on heritage preservation that have been given.
12. With respect to the global study, Mr von Droste reported
that work on the study of cultural sites had been initiated with
the assistance of a working group which met in October 1990. He
stated that the work was based primarily on the tentative lists
received by the Secretariat, reminding the members that only 53
lists had so far been submitted, i.e. by less than one half of
the States Parties to the Convention. He informed the Committee
of the progress being made on the preparation of a global
tentative list of geological and fossil sites in the world that
would be completed by 1991.
*[4]
13. He informed the Committee that the Secretariat would make
all necessary arrangements for the commemoration of the
twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention. The
Committee will be invited to present its position on the
proposals submitted to it, to set up a strategy for the future
and to promote widespread awareness of the achievements of the
Convention.
VI. REPORT OF THE RAPPORTEUR
14. Ms Christina Cameron (Canada), Rapporteur for the
thirteenth session of the Committee, presented the results of
the fourteenth session of the Bureau, held in Paris from 11 to
14 June 1990. She focused on several of the key issues
discussed during this session, in particular the monitoring of
the state of conservation of World Heritage cultural and natural
properties. All of the cases to which reference was made were
outlined in detail in the Bureau's final report (document CC-
90/CONF.003/12), which Ms Cameron urged the Committee members to
read carefully. With reference to the global study requested by
the Committee at its thirteenth session, Ms Cameron informed the
Committee members that a working group had met in Paris on 12
and 13 October 1990 to develop the subsequent phases of this
study. The results ofthis meeting would be presented to the
Committee under the agenda item dealing with the global study.
VII. NOMINATIONS TO THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST AND TO THE LIST OF
WORLD HERITAGE IN DANGER
15.The Committee examined nineteen nominations. It decided to
inscribe seventeen properties on the World Heritage List and one
property on the List of World Heritage in Danger, and to defer
the examination of one property. Moreover, after review of the
respective proposals, the Committee decided to extend one listed
property and to modify the boundaries of two other properties
already inscribed on the List.
16. Germany informed the Committee of its decision to withdraw
Wörlitz, Quedlinburg, Magdeburg and Dresden from nomination to
the World Heritage List.
17. The following nominations were not considered by the
Committee because of the Bureau's decision to defer their
examination: El Vizcaino (Mexico), Vilnius and Old Nissa
(USSR).
18. At the special request of the authorities of the United
Kingdom, the Committee considered the nomination of the Lake
District.
*[5]
A - PROPERTIES INSCRIBED ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST
Name of Property State Party Criteria
having submitted
the nomination of
the property in
accordance with
the Convention
Palaces and Parks 532 Germany C (i)(ii)(iv)
of Potsdam and Berlin
The Committee noted with satisfaction that the additional
nomination, including the Palaces and Parks of Berlin-Zehlendorf
(Glienecke and Pfaueninsel), adds to the coherence of the
initial nomination of the Palaces and Gardens of Potsdam-
Sanssouci. The Committee pointed out to the German authorities
that it would be advisable to include the Sacrow Church and its
park in the protected area.
Mount Huangshan 547 China N (iii)(iv)
C (ii)
Delos 530 Greece C(ii)(iii)
(iv)(vi)
Monasteries of Daphni,
Hossios Luckas and Nea
Moni of Chios 537 Greece C (i)(iv)
Tsingy de Bemaraha 494 Rev Madagascar N(iii)(iv)
Strict Nature Reserve
The Committee noted with satisfaction that a site management and
protection plan had just been developed and that it would be
implemented by Unesco with funds in trust provided by Germany.
Te Wahipounamu-
South West
New Zealand 551 New Zealand N(i)(ii)(iii)
(iv)
The Committee noted that this property would henceforth
encompass two properties already inscribed on the World Heritage
List: Westland/Mount Cook National Park and Fiordland National Park.
Tongariro National
Park 421 Rev New Zealand N(ii)(iii)
The Committee congratulated the New Zealand authorities for
having improved the management and protection of this site,
particularly by limiting tourism developments and taking greater
account of the cultural values of Tongariro.
*[6]
La Amistad 552 Panama N(ii)(iv)
The Committee asked the Secretariat to invite the Panamanian and
Costa Rican authorities to propose the inclusion of this
property and the Costa Rican property already inscribed on the
List as a single site - Talamanca Range/La Amistad - and to work
together on the joint management of this property.
Rio Abiseo National
Park 548 Peru N(ii)(iii)(iv)
The Committee noted that this site also had cultural values and
that additional information would be provided by the State Party
in this respect.
Historic Centre of
Leningrad and related
groups of monuments 540 USSR C(i)(ii)(iv)
(vi)
The Committee recommended strongly that the responsible
authorities reinforce control over the development of polluting
industries and ensure a better balance between industrial areas
and listed areas. It also recommended that particular care be
exercised as to the possible establishment of new tourism
infrastructures, especially hotel facilities.
Itchan Kala 543 USSR C(iii)(iv)(v)
The Committee recommended that the authorities concerned
safeguard a broad buffer zone corresponding to the area of
Dichan-Kala and apply very strict urban standards to the north
of Itchan Kala, in the area corresponding to the new urban
centre of Khiva, where buildings of excessive height have
already been constructed. The Committee also recommended that
the authorities concerned ensure that the city of Itchan Kala
continue to be inhabited by its traditional population.
Khizi Pogost 544 USSR C(i)(iv)(v)
The Committee recommended that the authorities concerned
maintain the present balance between the natural and built
environment, since the introduction of new homes or wooden
churches south of Kizhi Island alters the historical and visual
characteristics of the site.
The Committee congratulated the authorities concerned on the
recent adoption of a conservation policy that is more in harmony
with local traditions and expertise.
*[7]
Kremlin and Red Square,
Moscow 545 USSR C(i)(ii)(iv)
(vi)
The Committee recommended that the authorities concerned observe
the present configuration of the site, particularly the balance
between the monuments and non-built areas.
Jesuit Missions of the
Chiquitos 529 Bolivia C(iv)(v)
Historic centre of San
Gimignano 550 Italy C(i)(iii)(iv)
Colonial city of Santo
Domingo 526 Dominican Republic C(ii)(iv)(vi)
The Committee approved the conclusions of the expert report
submitted, enabling it to consider this property, and suggested
that the Secretariat and ICOMOS participate with the Dominican
authorities in any study concerning the rehabilitation of
historic districts.
Kiev: Saint Sophia
Cathedral and related
monastic buildings,
Kiev-Pechersk Lavra 527 Ukrainian SSR C(i)(ii)(iii)
(iv)
The Committee recommended that the authorities concerned respect
the environment of these two outstanding monumental ensembles.
B EXTENSION OF A PROPERTY ALREADY INCLUDED IN THE WORLD
HERITAGE LIST
In response to the invitation extended by the World Heritage
Committee at its twelfth session, the Holy See and Italy, each
according to its competence, submitted a joint request for the
inclusion of the extra-territorial properties of the Holy See
which are located in the historic centre of Rome, extended to
the walls of Urban VIII. The properties concerned are as
follows: Complesso dei San Giovanni in Laterano (Basilica,
Palazzo Apostolico Lateranense, edifici annessi, Scala santa);
Complesso di Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica, edifici annessi);
Palazzo di San Callisto, in Trastevere; Palazzo della
Cancelleria; Palazzo di Propaganda Fide, in Piazza di Spagna;
Palazzo Maffei (Palazzo della Pigna); Palazzo del Santo Uffizio;
Palazzo dei Convertendi; Palazzo detto dei Propilei; Palazzo
Pio; Immobili sul Gianicolo; as well as the inclusion of the
Basilica of San Paolo fuori le Mura.
On the basis of cultural criteria (i), (ii), (iv) and (vi), the
Committee decided to proceed with this extension, with which it
was extremely pleased. The extended site will be inscribed as:
*[8]
"Historic Centre of Rome, 91 bis Italy/Holy See
the properties of the Holy (each according to
See in that city enjoying its jurisdiction)
extra-territorial rights
and San Paolo Fuori le Mura"
As emphasized by the Delegate of the Holy See, the Committee
felt that this situation, which was sui generis, would not
constitute a precedent.
C INCLUSION OF A PROPERTY IN THE LIST OF WORLD HERITAGE IN
DANGER
Timbuktu 119 Rev Mali
The Committee decided to inscribe this property on the List of
World Heritage in Danger due to the threat of sand encroachment.
A programme to safeguard the property has been set up in order
to combat the most pressing dangers, including the consolidation
of the Djingareiber Mosque and improvement of terrace rainwater
drainage systems.
D DEFERRED NOMINATION
Lake District 422 Rev United Kingdom
At the request of the authorities of the United Kingdom, the
Committee re-examined the nomination of the Lake District to the
World Heritage List as a cultural property, based on a
recommendation by ICOMOS that it be so included. The Committee
discussed this case in detail and, although many members showed
great interest in including this property, no consensus could be
reached. The Committee felt that it did not have sufficiently
clear criteria to allow it to rule on this type of property. It
was recalled that the lack of appropriate criteria for the
examination of cultural landscapes had been a concern of the
Committee for several years. The Committee therefore asked the
Secretariat to develop such a criterion or criteria and to
submit this proposal to the Bureau at its fifteenth session.
This will enable the Committee to consider adopting this
criterion or criteria at its next session and to examine the
nomination of this property.
E. MODIFICATION OF THE LIMITS OF TWO PROPERTIES ALREADY
INSCRIBED ON THE WORLD HERITAGE LIST
Olympic National Park (United States of America)
The Committee welcomed the United States' proposal to include
the coastal strip in the Olympic National Park, following its
recommendation at its Fifth Session in 1981, when the site was
inscribed. The Committee approved the new boundaries of this
property.
Canadian Rocky Mountains Parks (Canada)
The Committee welcomed the Canadian proposal to include, in the
Rocky Mountains Parks site, Mount Robson, Hamber and Assiniboine
Provincial Parks, following its request at its Eighth Session in
1984 *[9] when the site was inscribed. The Committee approved
the new boundaries of this property.
VIII. MONITORING OF THE STATE OF CONSERVATION OF WORLD
HERITAGE CULTURAL PROPERTIES AND RELATED TECHNICAL
PROBLEMS
19. The Committee congratulated the Secretariat on the quality
of its report on the monitoring of the state of conservation of
world heritage cultural properties. It noted the various
situations brought to its attention and was particularly pleased
to see that the Director Generalof Unesco had informed Egyptian
authorities of the concerns expressed by the Bureau at its
fourteenth session in June 1990 regarding planned construction
work in the pyramid fields from Giza to Dahshur, Egypt. In this
connection, the Committee confirmed that it wished to examine,
in due time, the master plan being developed for this protected
area as a whole.
20. With reference to the archaeological site of Leptis Magna
(Libyan Arab Jamahiriya), a member of the Committee noted that
flooding of the Wadi Lebda, which sporadically affects the
monuments of ancient Leptis, was a known phenomenon. Reports on
this phenomenon by Italian specialists, especially the Centro
Nazionale per le Ricerche (CNR) in Rome, should be consulted.
In this regard, it would be advisable to contact Professor
Antonino Di Vita, Director of the Italian School of Athens, a
leading specialist on the Leptis site and its problems.
21. The Committee accepted the Secretariat's proposals
concerning the continuation of the monitoring system. The
mailing of a third series of questionnaires was thus postponed,
and the Committee decided that the questionnaires already
received would be analyzed. A sample of the worksheets prepared
on the basis of the analysis will be submitted to the Bureau at
its fifteenth session. The Committee also noted with
satisfaction the Secretariat's initiative in starting a
programme for the systematic diagnosis of World Heritage
cultural sites. Because a UNDP project is already under way in
Latin America and the Caribbean, the experiment will be launched
in this region.
22. With reference to this same region, a Committee member
reported that the UNDP-Unesco Project Coordinator will organize
practical training in monitoring in 1991. This is an excellent
initiative to be cited as an example, especially for ICCROM,
which could plan similar training in the coming years.
23. The Committee carefully examined the document produced by
ICOMOS as a contribution to the monitoring of world heritage
cultural properties. The Committee focused primarily on the
Monastery of the Hieronymites and the Tower of Belém, a world
heritage site where the construction of a building had begun in
the area protected under the Convention. The Secretariat
informed the Committee that, having been alerted by various
sources, it had immediately brought this matter to the attention
of the Portuguese authorities. Deeply concerned about the
situation described, the Committee sent a cable to the
Portuguese authorities, expressing its fear that the project in
question would cause irreparable damage to the world heritage
value of the site and *[10] offering to organize an expert
mission to evaluate the impact of the project.
24. Particularly concerned about the proliferation of such
projects, the Committee deemed it advisable to include a
paragraph on this topic in the Operational Guidelines
encouraging States Parties to increase their vigilance. The
following wording was thus adopted for inclusion in the
Operational Guidelines: "The World Heritage Committee invites
the States Parties to the Convention concerning the Protection
of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage to inform the
Committee, through the Unesco Secretariat, of their intention to
undertake or to authorize in an area protected under the
Convention major restorations or new constructions which may
affect the World Heritage value of the property. Notice should
be given as soon as possible (for instance, before drafting
basic documents for specific projects) and before making any
decisions that would be difficult to reverse, so that the
Committee may assist in seeking appropriate solutions to ensure
that the world heritage value of the site is fully preserved."
IX. MONITORING OF THE STATE OF CONSERVATION OF WORLD HERITAGE
NATURAL PROPERTIES AND RELATED TECHNICAL PROBLEMS
25. IUCN submitted a report to the Committee on the state of
conservation of the following World Heritage natural properties.
The Committee also considered Document CC90/CONF/4, which
summarized the responses, received by the Secretariat, of the
States Parties to the recommendations made by the Bureau in its
last session.
Royal Chitwan National Park (Nepal)
The Committee noted with satisfaction that, following the
concerns expressed by the Bureau in June 1990 about the possible
impact of an irrigation project whereby as much as 75 percent of
the waters of the Rapti River would be diverted, the said
project was reassessed by the Asian Development Bank and the
Government of Nepal and that it would probably be modified
significantly to minimize its negative impact on the
environment.
The Committee requested the Secretariat and IUCN to monitor the
progress of this issue until a final decision is reached and to
report to the Bureau at its next session.
Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park (Central African
Republic)
The Committee took note of IUCN's concerns about the integrity
of this property, which is still threatened by heavy poaching
despite an EEC-financed project to restore the park. The
Committee also noted that a preliminary report on the
implementation of this project should be available within one
year and requested the Secretariat and IUCN to continue to
monitor the state of conservation of this property.
*[11]
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire)
The Committee took note of the information supplied by IUCN
concerning the Mount Nimba mining project and the fact that this
project, according to IUCN, would threaten the intrinsic value
and integrity which had justified the inscription of this
property on the World Heritage List. The IUCN General Assembly,
which had just ended in Australia, adopted a resolution urging
the Guinean authorities not to allow this project and to
implement a development plan for the region which would insure
the protection of the site.
The Guinean observer confirmed the Guinean Government's
intention to mine iron-ore at this site and noted that the
prospect of such mining had always been clearly understood, even
at the time this property was inscribed on the World Heritage
List. He indicated, however, that the mining area covered only
800 ha and was actually located outside the boundaries of the
World Heritage Site, and that its impact on this site would be
minimized in accordance with the results of an impact study
which would be announced shortly. The Guinean observer also
added that the mining operations would provide jobs for the many
refugees whose presence on the site now present a threat to its
integrity.
The Committee requested the Secretariat to ask the Guinean
authorities in writing to confirm, by means of appropriate
cartographic documentation, that the mining project is indeed
located outside the site inscribed on the World Heritage List;
the Committee also requested the Bureau to reexamine this issue
at its next session, in the light of the said documentation.
The Committee also wished to ask the two States Parties which
have business interests directly involved in the mining project,
namely U.S.A. and France, to examine whether Article 6.3 of the
World Heritage Convention might apply to this undertaking.
Niokola-Koba National Park (Senegal)
The Committee noted with satisfaction that, in response to the
concerns expressed by the Bureau, a comparative environmental
impact study of the two road project proposals (through and
north of the Park) had been conducted with the financial support
of the World Heritage Fund. The study had only just been
completed and its results were not yet available for submission
to the Committee. The Secretariat will transmit the results to
the Bureau at its next session.
Hierapolis-Pamukkale (Turkey)
The Committee noted with satisfaction the information provided
by the Turkish observer concerning the problems of management
identified by IUCN. The site had now been designated as a
special protected area and the preparation of a new management
plan would be discussed at a workshop to be held in 1991 and for
which financial assistance may be sought from the World Heritage
Fund.
*[12]
Wood Buffalo National Park (Canada)
The Committee noted with satisfaction the information provided
by the Canadian representative concerning the various threats to
this asset which had been identified by IUCN. First, concerning
the diseased bison suffering from brucellosis and tuberculosis,
the Canadian representative stated that solutions other than the
wholesale slaughter of all the herds were being sought in
consultation with all the parties concerned, and that the
approach now preferred would consist in eliminating only
diseased animals and placing the remaining herds under
quarantine.
Concerning the dam on the Peace River in British Columbia, it is
known to be affecting the hydrological system of the Park.
Initially there were a number of floodings which resulted in
numbers of bison being drowned. In recent years, the periodic
floods which were always a feature of the delta area have been
less frequent. None of these changes have had any effect on the
nesting areas of the whooping cranes in the Park.
Finally, the proposed pulp mill developments on the river and
their tributaries flowing into the Park would each be the
subject of Environmental Assessment and Review. One of these
was currently in progress and expected to result in major
modifications to the processes to be used in the plant. The
real question was the cumulative effect of all of the proposed
developments, each of which may be determined to have a
negligible deleterious effect but which in sum may be a cause of
concern. New Environmental Assessment and Review legislation is
presently before Parliament and it is hoped that it will provide
a mechanism to deal with such situations.
Further monitoring reports will be provided in 1991.
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (India)
The Committee was concerned to note that the reserve was still
occupied by Bodo Tribesmen, and that poaching and illegal
removal of vegetation was continuing. The Committee expressed
the view that this property met the criteria for inscription on
the List of World Heritage in Danger and instructed the
Secretariat to suggest to the Indian authorities that they
consider such an inscription.
Keoladeo National Park (India)
The Committee noted that the state of conservation of these
wetlands, which are also a Ramsar site, had formed the subject
of a detailed report prepared under the Ramsar Convention which
indicated that the site was threatened by the invasion of
Paspalum grass and insufficient water delivery, leading to a
decline in the number of migrating Siberian Cranes. Despite a
number of corrective measures, the situation remains one of
concern and the Committee requested IUCN to continue monitoring
the state of conservation of this property.
*[13]
Galapagos (Ecuador)
The Committee noted that this site was facing two separate
threats: on the one hand, Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese
fishermen last year captured some 40,000 sharks in the waters
adjacent to the site; this intensive fishing was halted
following protests by international organizations, but the
effectiveness of the ban was uncertain; on the other hand,
tourist pressure on the park has increased considerably to a
level far beyond the park's estimated visitor capacity. The
Committee was pleased to note that remedial measures to counter
these threats were being considered; the Ecuadorian authorities
had indicated, in fact, that the waters surrounding the National
Park would be nominated to the World Heritage List in 1991,
thereby reinforcing the protection of the adjacent waters.
Moreover, a study of the effects of tourism and the means to
combat these effects was being conducted with World Heritage
Fund support, and the results of this study should be made known
in the first half of 1991. The Committee asked the Secretariat
and IUCN to continue monitoring the state of conservation of
this property.
Olympic National Park (U.S.A.)
The Committee noted with satisfaction that the USA authorities
had proposed the addition of the Pacific coastal strip to the
property inscribed in 1981, in accordance with the request made
by the Committee.
Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park (U.S.A.)
The Committee was pleased with the progress noted by IUCN in the
state of conservation and in the management of this property.
Canadian Rocky Mountains Parks (Canada)
The Committee noted with satisfaction that the Canadian
authorities had proposed the addition of Mount Robson, Hamber
and Assiniboine Provincial Parks to the property originally
inscribed in 1984, as requested by the Committee.
La Amistad/Talamanca Range (Costa Rica)
The Committee noted the need to review the original boundaries
of this site in order to exclude those areas not of outstanding
universal value and extend the site to include the expanded
Talamanca and Chirripo National Parks. The Committee asked the
Secretariat to suggest to the Costa Rican authorities that they
set the new boundaries of this property in response to IUCN's
suggestion.
*[14]
Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras)
The Committee noted that the Honduran authorities had submitted
to the Secretariat a nomination of this property to the List of
World Heritage in Danger. The Committee was unable to make a
decision on this nomination, however, in the absence of any
request for international assistance for this property pursuant
to article 11.4 of the Convention. The Committee consequently
urged the Honduran authorities to prepare and submit such a
request as soon as possible.
Garamba National Park (Zaire)
The Committee was pleased with the significant improvement in
the state of conservation of this property, which the Zairian
authorities were preparing to ask be taken off the List of World
Heritage in Danger. The Committee wished to continue to be kept
informed of the state of conservation of this property, which
was the focus of a major rehabilitation project supported by a
consortium of donors including the World Heritage Fund.
Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Zaire)
The Committee expressed concern about the proposed construction
of a highway along the existing line of a little-used old
colonial road that crosses this park. If built, this highway
would be the main link between the densely populated regions of
the Great Lakes of Central Africa and the navigable part of the
Zaire River. The Committee noted the existence of an
alternative route to the north of Kahuzi-Biega and asked that a
comparative study of the two routes be conducted. The Committee
instructed the Secretariat to inform the Zairian authorities and
the German development assistance agency (KWF) of this request
and to report to the Bureau on this issue at its next session.
26. As the Bureau requested during its last session, the French
representative reported on the siltation problems at Mont St.
Michel and its Bay. The Committee noted with satisfaction the
planned siltation control works, including the demolition of the
dike providing access to Mont St. Michel and its present parking
facilities and the replacement of this dike with a bridge that
will reestablish water circulation. The Committee wished to
encourage the French authorities to implement these projects as
soon as possible.
27. The representative of Senegal informed the Committee that
a bilaterally financed project would be carried out at the
Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary to improve the management of this
property and enhance the control of water levels.
X. PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES
28. The Committee congratulated the Secretariat for the many
activities carried out in 1990. They are presented in document
CC-90/CONF.004/5, which is focused on the implementation and
dissemination of background *[15] material on the Convention, on
the production of films and features on World Heritage Sites and
on the planning of exhibitions in States Parties and other
States.
29. With respect to the distribution of video-cassettes, the
Committee noted that non-commercial distribution was insured by
Unesco's distribution network, but that commercial distribution
posed a number of legal problems that were being studied with
the production firms involved.
30. With respect to publications, the Committee noted the
efforts of the Secretariat to improve the quality control of the
series of books for young people co-published by Unesco and,
more generally, of what would be submitted by the Secretariat at
the next session of the Bureau in a general publications plan.
31. The need to decentralize promotional activities in the
States Parties was once again underscored. In this regard, a
number of parties reported on the activities carried out or
planned in their countries, such as the implementation of a
travelling exhibit on listed sites in Germany, the production of
a brochure on listed sites in Turkey, the publication of two
books and the creation of a column on world heritage in
Bulgarian weeklies. The Committee also noted with satisfaction
the publication of an illustrated 250-page brochure in
Bulgarian, English and Russian, on cultural properties in
Bulgaria.
32.The Committee approved the proposals submitted by the
Secretariat for 1991, and was of the view that the essence of
these activities should be focused on the preparation of the
20th anniversary in 1992 of the adoption of the World Heritage
Convention.
XI. PREPARATIONS FOR THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADOPTION
OF THE WORLD HERITAGE CONVENTION
33. The Committee noted with satisfaction the proposals
submitted by the Secretariat in document CC-90/CONF.004/6
regarding two separate exercises designed to commemorate the
20th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention: on the one
hand, an assessment of the implementation of the Convention and
the preparation of a strategy for the future; on the other,
promotional events designed to make the Convention better known.
34. The Committee felt that, although these were two separate
exercises, there was a great deal to be said for regarding them
as complementary so as to make 1992 a year of both celebration
and reflection.
35. Regarding the assessment of the implementation of the
Convention, the Committee insisted that the exercise be forward-
looking and not restricted to dwelling on the past, so that it
leads to a strategy for implementing the Convention in the
coming decade. This strategy should focus both on the notion of
world heritage and its definition, and on ways to better ensure
the protection of world heritage properties.
*[16]
36. The contribution of States Parties was deemed essential in
ensuring the success of this reflection, and the Committee
congratulated the Secretariat on having sent all States a
circular letter proposing a framework.
37. The Committee accepted the Secretariat's proposal to ask a
consultant to prepare a summary in cooperation with ICOMOS,
ICCROM and the IUCN, to be submitted to a small group of experts
early in 1992.
38. With regard to promotional activities, the Committee
accepted the Secretariat's proposals aimed at developing
regional and national activities and organizing a series of
activities at Unesco Headquarters centering around the theme of
world heritage, in close cooperation with States members of
Unesco.
39. As for activities outside Headquarters, the Secretariat
called on the members of the Committee to mobilize resources for
this purpose. The Committee noted with satisfaction several
preliminary proposals by its members.
40. Speaking on behalf of ALECSO, the representative of Tunisia
informed the Committee that this organization would be prepared
to organize a regional information meeting on the occasion of
this 20th anniversary.
41. The Committee also stressed the usefulness of directing
these activities toward seeking sponsors for the World Heritage
Fund, by making greater use of the World Heritage logo.
42. The Committee also recommended that activities be developed
for young people, both at Unesco Headquarters and in the various
countries. The Committee asked the Secretariat to produce a
special series of video-cassettes for the 20th anniversary,
consisting of a selection of extracts of films already made,
which should be distributed at a low price.
43. The IUCN representative reminded the Committee that the
fourth World Congress on National Parks would be held in
Venezuela in 1991, with significant emphasis on the role of the
World Heritage Convention in protecting natural heritage.
44. The Committee was of the opinion that the next General
Conference of Unesco in 1991 should adopt a resolution
encouraging States members of the Organization, whether they are
parties to the Convention or not, to lend their full cooperation
in celebrating this anniversary by implementing activities in
their countries.
45. Finally, the representative for the United States informed
the Committee of his government's desire to host the extended
session of the Committee, scheduled for 1992, and indicated that
this invitation would be officially confirmed in 1991.
*[17]
XII. REQUESTS FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE
46. The Committee examined the document prepared by the
Secretariat in this regard and congratulated the Secretariat on
its clear presentation of the requests submitted. Considering
the Bureau's recommendations, the Committee decided to approve
the following requests:
A - TECHNICAL CO-OPERATION
CULTURAL PROPERTIES
1. Ngorongoro Conservation Area
(United Republic of Tanzania)
Purchase of a Land Rover and radio US$49,782
equipment for the archaeological and
paleontological site of Olduvai.
2. Studenica Monastery (Yugoslavia)
Purchase of computer and photographic US$51,000
equipment and equipment for the restoration of
murals. With respect to this site, the Committee
has noted with satisfaction the assurances provided
by the Yugoslavian authorities that there will be
no dam construction near the monastery which could
jeopardize the outstanding value of this site.
3. Archaeological site of Delphi (Greece)
Purchase of a sandblaster and seven US$50,000
dehumidifiers for the restoration of objects
from the site which have been placed in the Delphi
museum. The Committee examined the possibility
of acceding to requests concerning the conservation
of objects from archaeological sites, and it asked
the Secretariat to draw up a draft decision on
this issue for inclusion in the Operational
Guidelines, to ensure that the fund allocation limits
for objects from archaeological sites protected by
the World Heritage Convention are clearly defined.
This draft decision is to be presented to the Bureau
and Committee at their next sessions.
*[18]
4. Timbuktu (Mali)
Consolidation of the Djingareiber mosque US$45,138
and improvement of terrace rainwater drainage
systems. Removal of sand from the walls and
interior court of the Sankoré mosque, and
installation of bollards to divert traffic away
from the mosque.
5. International Symposium on the US$26,000
"Preservation of Urban Historic Areas in Changing
Times" Canada
Publication of the proceedings of the
symposium.
NATURAL PROPERTIES
La Amistad National Park (Panama)
As part of the described management plan, financing US$50,000
of the construction of three guard posts; purchase
of field equipment and materials for environmental
education activities; organization of training
seminars for park guards.
Salonga National Park (Zaire)
Reinforcement of park protection through US$60,000
infrastructure construction (ranger posts, jetty)
and purchase of an all-terrain vehicle and small-
scale equipment.
Talamanca Range-La Amistad National Park (Costa
Rica)
The Committee approved this request under two US$50,000
conditions: that the Costa Rican authorities report
on the completion of the previous projects and that
the boundaries of this property be revised in
accordance with IUCN recommendations. The
Committee instructed the Bureau to determine at its
next session whether these conditions had been met
before deciding whether to award an appropriate
amount to Costa Rica.
47. With respect to Banc d'Arguin National Park (Mauritania),
the Committee noted that a request for technical cooperation had
been submitted to the Secretariat but that this request needed
to be reformulated. The Committee encouraged the Mauritanian
authorities *[19] to prepare and submit a new request for
consideration at its next session.
B - TRAINING
1. International Course on Stone US$40,000
Conservation Technology (ICCROM-Unesco)
Participation of 12 fellowship recipients from
developing countries in the course, which will be
held in May and June 1991 in Venice, and financial
contribution to the fees and travel expenses of the
lecturers.
2. Regional Training Course for the
Conservation of Murals (ICCROM)
Fees and travel costs of five lecturers and US$40,000
participation of 16 fellowship recipients, who are
restorers from South and Sotheast Asia in a course
which will be held in Lucknow (India).
3. Training Course in Natural Resources US$30,000
Conservation and in the Management of Protected
Areas (France-Cameroon)
The Committee approved this request in the amount of US$30,000
(instead of the requested US$36,000) and hoped that this
training would be offered to a larger number of African
participants.
XIII. SITUATION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE FUND AND BUDGET FOR 1991
48. The Committee examined document CC-90/CONF.004/8 presenting
the status of contributions to the World Heritage Fund for the
years 1981-1983, 1984-1985, 1986-1987, 1988-1989 and 1990-1991,
the situation for the 1988-1989 financial period, and the status
of implementation of international assistance projects approved
in 1989 and 1990. The statement on the use of the budget
approved for 1990 and an estimate of the budget for 1991 were
also submitted to the Committee.
49. The Committee followed the recommendations of the Bureau
and decided to adopt the following budget for 1991 :
Preparatory assistance 150,000
Technical co-operation 600,000
Training 500,000
Emergency assistance 100,000
*[20]
Promotional activities 250,000
Advisory services
IUCN 150,000
ICOMOS 200,000
Global Study (including the
study on fossil sites, $20,000) 70,000
Travel for experts of LDCs 20,000
Members of the Committee
Temporary assistance to the Secretariat190,000
3% contingency funds 70,000
_____________
TOTAL 2,300,000
XIV. GLOBAL STUDY
50. The report of the Secretariat was presented and the
voluntary work of the Bulgarian Delegate (study on the Mediaeval
sites in the Balkans) and of the two experts seconded by the
Greek Ministry of Culture for one month (three studies made
available to the Committee). These three studies, on the
Graeco-Hellenistic and correlated cultures, the Roman and
correlated cultures and the Byzantine and correlated cultures
were based on an examination of sites already listed, those on
tentative lists and with the addition of sites proposed by the
experts to fill gaps. In the case of Roman culture, a chart had
been prepared which set out the nature of the sites, their
period and their location. The full content of these three files
and other material prepared by the Secretariat was described and
was available for consultation by delegations. The Secretariat
invited delegations to make known bibliographies which would be
helpful in further development of the study.
51. The Committee congratulated the Greek and Bulgarian experts
for their in-depth treatment of the areas in question and
thanked them for their participation in the study, which was
described as being of high quality and, indeed, of elegance.
52. Frameworks for national historic monuments had been
developed in the U.S.A. and Canada and one of the delegates
offered to make these frameworks and some account of their
methodology available to the Secretariat. Another delegate
commented on the importance of having a mixed temporal, cultural
and thematic approach. It was suggested that the global study
should include landscapes.
53. Another delegate, in expressing appreciation of the work
done, said that her country would seek to contribute to the
study in its future elaboration. The Secretariat explained that
it intended to proceed by establishing the framework first with
the assistance of experts and it was noted that an amount had
been included in the budget from the various regions for this
purpose. The possible contribution of expertise by States
Parties was warmly welcomed and, where such contribution may not
be possible, the Secretariat would in any case *[21] appreciate
the names of appropriate experts whom the Secretariat could
approach to work on the project.
54. Another delegate emphasized that it was not just a question
of providing the framework but that it should be a carefully
considered one. Due allowance should be made for the time and
cost of such studies which should not be expected to be done in
haste without adequate reflection. Furthermore, it is important
that experts in the States Parties provide information for the
study since there is much available in languages which are not
so easily accessible.
55. Another expert suggested reference to a specialist in the
Institut de l'Afrique Noire and the Secretariat mentioned that
there had already been discussion with Mr. Konare, President of
ICOM, a historian and archaeologist, about the project.
56. The Committee thanked the Secretariat for the work done on
the project.
57. The Committee also noted that the study of geological sites
conducted jointly by the Unesco International Geological
Correlation Programme and the International Union of Geological
Sciences has resulted in a preliminary global tentative list of
geological sites of outstanding universal value. This list was
to be revised early in 1991 by a team of experts meeting at
Unesco headquarters. The results of the study would then be
finalized and made available for the next session of the World
Heritage Committee.
XV. OTHER BUSINESS
Equitable representation of different regions and cultures of
the world
58. The Committee considered the document on Equitable
Representation (CC-90/CONF.004/INF.4). The Secretariat noted
that it had followed this question closely over years and that
it was difficult to make any more suggestions since ultimately
this was a decision for the Committee.
59. In respect of paragraph 5(iii), the Secretariat emphasized
that it could be difficult for States to indicate at the time of
their candidature the names of experts who would represent them
for the duration of their term of office. Recognizing this
problem and the need for the system to remain flexible, the
Committee decided to submit to the General Assembly the
proposals contained in paragraph 5 with the exception of that
relating to the names of experts.
Information on Bering Region
60. The representative of the United States of America called
the attention of the Committee to the establishment by the
Governments of the United States of America and the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics of a Working Group on Heritage
Conservation and Management. The Working Group had completed a
joint report on the significant shared natural and cultural
heritage of the Bering Region, copies of which were provided to
the Committee.
*[22]
61. The Report was endorsed by the Presidents of the USA and
the USSR in June 1990 with a statement calling for continued co-
operation towards a US-Soviet International Park.
62. Recalling the IUCN General Assembly Resolutions of 1988 and
1990, encouraging both governments to also consider a joint
World Heritage nomination of the area, the representative of the
USA and the observer from the USSR confirmed their governments
continued interest in a possible joint nomination.
63. The Committee commended both governments for this
initiative.
Other matters
64. The Committee instructed the Secretariat to prepare its
report to the General Conference. This report will be submitted
to the Bureau, which is authorized to approve it, at its
fifteenth session.
65. The Bureau held a special session during the Committee
meeting and met four times to examine nominations which had been
referred back to the nominating State for additional
information, to examine requests for technical assistance and
the budget for 1991.
66. The Secretariat drew the Committee's attention to a
decision made at the Committee's thirteenth session, to the
effect that "States Parties that are behind in their payments
for the biennium considered would not be able to obtain
international assistance financed by the Fund, except in unusual
circumstances or emergencies." The Committee had asked the
Secretariat to amend the Operational Guidelines accordingly.
The Secretariat explained to the Committee that it had
intentionally not done so, since experience during 1990 had
shown that the Committee's decision as it had been worded was
too ambiguous to allow clear interpretation and implementation.
The Committee admitted that this problem must be resolved as
soon as possible, with the understanding that consistent
measures must be implemented without penalizing sites endangered
by emergencies. The Committee therefore asked the Secretariat
to prepare a proposal in this regard, which the Bureau will use
as a basis for discussion at its next session.
67. The Committee wished to confirm its 1989 decision to
finance attendance at sessions of the Committee and the Bureau
by experts from least developed countries (LDCs) who are members
of the Committee. The Committee wished to specify that this
decision should be very strictly applied and that assuming the
costs could be justified only for attendance at sessions of
natural and cultural conservation experts.
68. The representative of Canada informed the Committee of the
problems that could be posed by the inclusion of an already
listed site within a larger site. For instance, such was the
case in Canada, with regard to the Burgess Shale site, whose
scientific importance was universally recognized. Now part of
the Canadian Rocky Mountains Parks World Heritage site, it is no
longer identified as the Burgess Shale site on the List. The
Committee recalled that this has also arisen with *[23] respect
to other properties, the value of which had nonetheless been
enhanced by the change.
XVI. DATE AND PLACE OF THE NEXT SESSIONS OF THE BUREAU AND THE
COMMITTEE
69. The fifteenth session of the Bureau of the Committee will
be held in Paris from 17 to 21 June 1991. For this occasion
only, the session will last five days rather than four, given
the especially full agenda for this session, at which, among
other things, the Bureau must examine the issue of adopting new
criteria allowing the examination of cultural landscapes for
inclusion in the World Heritage List.
70. The Secretariat informed the Committee that the Government
of Greece had indicated its intention to invite the Committee to
hold its seventeenth session in that country in 1993. In this
regard, the Secretariat pointed out to the Committee that
Greece's term of office on the World Heritage Committee would
end in 1991 and that it was necessary to await the results of
the elections at the next General Assembly in the second half of
1991 to know whether Greece's term of office on the Committee
would be renewed. Only a State member of the Committee could
invite the Committee to hold a session in its country, in
accordance with its Rules of Procedure.
71. On behalf of his government, the delegate from Tunisia
invited the Committee to hold its fifteenth session in 1991 in
Carthage. He noted that, given that the Committee had not held
a session in the Arab cultural world since 1979, this was a
major opportunity to highlight the universality inherent in the
objectives of the Convention. The members of the Committee
enthusiastically accepted this generous invitation. The
Secretariat stated that it was especially pleased with this
invitation since it would at the same time allow a celebration
of the success of the international campaign focusing on
Carthage. The Secretariat nevertheless pointed out that, in
accordance with the Rules of Procedure, this proposal would be
submitted to the Director General for approval and that this
invitation should not incur any additional expense. The
fifteenth session of the Committee could thus be held in
Carthage in the second week of December 1991.
XVII. CLOSURE OF THE SESSION
72. On behalf of the Committee, the Chairperson, Ms. Cameron,
closed the meeting, thanking the Rapporteur and the Secretariat
for their efficiency and praising the work accomplished by the
staff concerned in Banff National Park and the Ministry of the
Environment who had largely contributed, thanks to their kind
co-operation, to the success of the Committee's work. She also
thanked everyone who took part in this fourteenth session of the
Committee, the holding of which in Banff had been a real honour
to Canada.