Decision 45 COM 7A.21

Coro and its Port (Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of) (C 658)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.38 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
3. Takes note with appreciation of the restoration and conservation works undertaken in the property, in collaboration with the traditional mud artisan school;
4. Takes note of the information submitted regarding the development of a Minor Boundary Modification for the establishment of the property’s buffer zone, and requests the State Party to submit the final proposal for such Minor Boundary Modification to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies and approval by the World Heritage Committee, as per Paragraphs 163 and 164 of the Operational Guidelines, as soon as it is available, also ensuring that the buffer zone is adequately reflected in the relevant legal framework and planning instruments for the property;
5. Takes note with concern that insufficient information was provided by the State Party regarding its progress towards addressing each of the 11 corrective measures adopted in Decision 38 COM 7A.23 to reach the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), and of the delay reported on their implementation; and in this regard, reiterates its request to the State Party to implement the recommendations of the 2018 ICOMOS Advisory mission report, providing guidance on the actions needed to effectively implement the complete set of corrective measures;
6. Regrets that the issue of vulnerability to flooding and water damage of the property has not yet been durably and comprehensibly solved, as the financial resources necessary to put in place a complete drainage system have not been identified;
7. Expresses its great concern that no updated outline or draft of the property’s Management Plan has been submitted yet, and that insufficient progress is reported on the property’s disaster risk preparedness, and therefore further reiterates its request to the State Party to submit the draft Management Plan to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies as soon as it is available;
8. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property, which follows the mandatory format contained in Annex 13 of the Operational Guidelines and provides clear and complete information on all corrective measures adopted to reach the DSOCR, and on the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 46th session;
9. Decides to retain Coro and its Port (Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.