Decision 43 COM 7B.47

Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a) (Jordan) (C 1093)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/19/43.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 42 COM 7B.55, adopted at its 42nd session (Manama, 2018),
3. Congratulates the State Party on beginning to implement the Management Plan for Um er-Rasas and, while acknowledging the documents and other information provided with regard to the previously-requested Conservation Plan including a detailed work-plan, Public Use Plan and archaeological research policy, reiterates its request that these aspects of site management are explored in more detail;
4. Requests the State Party to submit the final conservation project proposal for the Stylite Tower as soon as possible for review by the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, and urges the State Party to continue monitoring the conservation situation closely;
5. Expressing concern that urgent conservation work at the Castrum does not appear to have taken place, also urges the State Party to undertake all needed temporary and reversible consolidation interventions of the fragile attributes across the whole property while planning for longer-term conservation;
6. Encourages the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Advisory mission to support the finalization of such projects if deemed necessary;
7. Also requests the State Party to provide updated information with regard to the plans currently underway to enlarge the buffer zone;
8. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2020, 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 45th session in 2021.