Auschwitz Birkenau
German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camp (1940-1945)
Factors affecting the property in 1997*
- Commercial development
- Localised utilities
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1997
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 1997**
Information presented to the Bureau of the World Heritage Committee in 1997
The Observer-Delegate of Poland to the twentieth session of the Committee (Merida, 1996) informed the Committee that a report on the tobacco factory in the immediate vicinity of the site would be provided by the Polish authorities before the twenty-first session of the Bureau.
At the time of the preparation of this document, no report had been received.
Action Required
The Bureau, based on additional information that may be available at the time of the twenty-first session of the Bureau may recommend appropriate actions to the consideration of the State Party and the Committee.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1997
21 BUR IV.B.52
Auschwitz Concentration Camp (Poland)
The Bureau commended the Polish authorities for the adoption of the 'Strategic Government Programme (Oswiecim Program)' which foresees activities for the years 1997-2001 aiming at a long-term and comprehensive development and management of the site while fully recognizing the need to protect and preserve the physical integrity and dignity of the site and abstaining from any commercial development which could compromise the site's symbolic values. The Bureau fully supported the 'Declaration Concerning Principles for Implementation of Program Oswiecimski' and commended the signatories of the Declaration (the Government of Poland, the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, the International Council of the State Museum of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the City of Oswiecim) for their will to fully cooperate in the preparation and implementation of the 'Urban Master Plan for the State Museum of Auschwitz-Birkenau'. The Bureau requested the Polish authorities to inform the Committee on a regular basis on the progress made in this matter.
The Observer of Poland underlined the importance of the Declaration and informed the Bureau that the Government of Poland has asked ICOMOS-Poland to coordinate its implementation. The Representative of ICOMOS-Poland assured the Bureau that the Committee will be kept informed about the progress made in this respect.
Poland
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
