Jerusalem/cultural heritage – UNESCO decision

174 EX/Decisions

PARIS, 12 May 2006

Jerusalem and the implementation of 33 C/Resolution 50 and 172 EX/Decision 18

(174 EX/14; 174 EX/48 Part II)

The Executive Board,

1. Recalling 32 C/Resolution 39 and 172 EX/Decision 18, as well as the provisions of the  four Geneva Conventions (1949), the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural  Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954) and the related Protocols, and the  Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972), the  inclusion of the Old City of Jerusalem in the World Heritage List and in the List of  World Heritage in Danger, and the recommendations, resolutions and decisions of  UNESCO on the protection of the cultural heritage,

2. Affirming that nothing in the present decision, which is aimed at the safeguarding of the  cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, shall in any way affect the relevant United Nations resolutions and decisions, in particular the relevant Security Council  resolutions on the legal status of Jerusalem,

3. Having examined document 174 EX/14 concerning Jerusalem,

4. Expresses its sincere thanks to the Director-General for his sustained efforts for the  safeguarding of the cultural and natural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, in compliance with 32 C/Resolution 39 of the General Conference and 171 EX/Decision 18 of the Executive Board, and reiterates its concern as to the obstacles and practices to the safeguarding of the cultural and natural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem;

5. Taking note of the declaration by the Director-General concerning Jerusalem at the 172nd session of the Executive Board which appeals to all parties concerned to respect the outstanding universal value of the Old City of Jerusalem and to refrain from anything that may jeopardize the distinctive character of the Old City of Jerusalem inscribed on the World Heritage List and on the List of World Heritage in Danger, invites him to pursue his efforts with the concerned authorities in this regard;

6. Congratulates the Director-General on his initiatives in favour of the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem, particularly the latest UNESCO mission (December 2005);

7. Expresses its gratitude to the Director-General for the progress made towards establishing a centre for the conservation of Isl amic manuscripts in al-Ashrafîya Madrasa within the Esplanade of the Mosques (al-H ! aram ash-Sharîf), requests him to intensify his efforts in that regard, and thanks the United Arab Emirates and the Welfare Association for their support and their generous contribution;

8. Takes note of the information provided in document 174 EX/14 concerning the progress made towards the establishment of an action plan based on the guidelines proposed by the International Committee of Experts and the results of the missions on the spot;

9. Encourages UNESCO Member States to contribute to the efforts towards the implementation of the programme activities for the first phase of the action plan for the cultural heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem as identified by the experts and the concerned authorities notably by extrabudgetary resources;

10. Invites the Director-General to submit to it at its 175th session such an action plan, and decides to include this item in the agenda of the 175th session of the Executive Board.