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English/French World Heritage 36 COM WHC-12/36.COM.INF.19 Original: English/French UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION CONVENTION CONCERNING THE PROTECTION OF THE WORLD CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE Thirty-sixth session Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation 24 June – 6 July 2012 SUMMARY RECORD RESUME DES INTERVENTIONS 1 Sunday, 24 June 2012 OPENING OF THE SESSION 7 p.m – 8 p.m Chairperson : H. E. Ms Eleonora Mitrofanova (Russian Federation) ITEM 1 OPENING OF THE SESSION Document: WHC-12/36.COM/INF.2 The 36th session of the World Heritage Committee was opened on Sunday 24 June 2012 in Saint-Petersburg, by H.E. Ms Eleonora Mitrofanova, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to UNESCO and Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee. The 21 Members of the World Heritage Committee were present: Algeria, Cambodia, Colombia, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Iraq, Japan, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Qatar, Russian Federation, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates. The following 97 States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, which are not members of the Committee, were represented as Observers: Albania, Andorra, Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Chine, Congo (the Democratic Republic of), Сongo (Republic of), Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Holy See (Vatican City State), Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea (Republic of), Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Madagascar, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Lucia, Saint-Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Tanzania (United Republic of), The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Singapore, Member State of UNESCO and Non State Party, also attended the session. Representatives of the Advisory Bodies to the World Heritage Committee, namely the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) also attended the session. The Chairperson of the World Heritage Committee, H.E Ms Eleonora Mitrofanova welcomed the participants and delivered her address by which she indicated that the Committee will have to examine many critical and complex issues. She indicated that the decisions and actions will then have to further favour 2 intercultural dialogue, promote appropriate educational approaches and advance a culture of peace in the service of the properties of outstanding universal value, which transcend time and borders. She underlined that, since its adoption in 1972, the Convention initiated a global response to the fundamental need to preserve the balance in the interaction between the conservation of nature and of cultural properties. The Chairperson mentioned that the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the World Heritage Convention going through this year 2012 puts special emphasis on the close linkage between the World Heritage and Sustainable Development, and the role of Local Communities in this interface. She also indicated that part of the Committee’s responsibility was to help prepare the decision-makers of tomorrow, to take over responsibilities for the long-term conservation of heritage sites. It is in consideration of this mission that she extended a particular welcome to the participants of the three parallel international youth events organized in the framework of this session. She mentioned that the Committee session will also be held for the first time in public, with the specific media-coverage and live transmission of debates through on- line and screening facilities. The Chairperson wished the participants a fruitful and inspiring session. (The entire text of this intervention is contained in Annex I). H.E Mr Vladimir Medinsky, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation; indicated that it was a great honour for Saint-Petersburg to host the 36th session of the World Heritage Committee at the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention. He underlined that this Committee session was a unique opportunity to present the city of Saint-Petersburg, inscribed in 1990 as the “Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments” on the World Heritage List, but above all to consider the crucial question on how to conciliate heritage conservation with urban development. He insisted on the fact that the outdated infrastructure of many areas in the historic center including insufficient sanitary installations had become a most pressing issue for the 5 million residents and the Russian Federation administration. The Minister underlined that Saint-Petersburg was a pioneer in elaborating an urban strategy concerning the conservation of cultural heritage based on the principles of the World Heritage Convention named “Conservation through development and development through conservation.” He mentioned that a special rehabilitation program 2013-2018 was being elaborated and that the valuable advice from the World Heritage Committee, based on best practices around the world, was very much welcome. He underlined that efforts were ongoing and that, in the past year, 11 billion rubles have been spent from the Federal and Municipal budgets for the rehabilitation of the historic centre and its monuments. The legal framework concerning urban zoning was recently redefined. The Minister informed that, a few months ago a moratorium on the destruction of buildings in the Historic Centre of Saint-Petersburg was declared which was supported by the majority of the residents who consider the conservation of the Historic Centre as one of the main priorities for the future of the city. He mentioned that he hoped the World Heritage Committee will find the most appropriate solutions to enhance the urban space and conserve our heritage for the future generations. 3 S.Exc. M. Georgy Poltavchenko, Gouverneur de Saint-Petersbourg, indique que la session du Comité du patrimoine mondial se tient à Saint-Pétersbourg et que plusieurs siècles d’histoire et de culture de son pays sont reflétés dans l’image unique de cette ville. Il souligne que nous vivons dans un monde complexe et que nous assistons à l’effondrement des valeurs traditionnelles. Le monde qui paraît être réuni grâce à des nouvelles technologies reste cependant divisé. Le Gouverneur insiste sur le rôle très important que l’UNESCO joue dans l’abolition des barrières, et notamment des barrières interculturelles. Il souligne que les travaux du Comité du patrimoine mondial sont extrêmement importants et que le destin des monuments historiques et culturels nécessite d’une attention toute particulière, notamment pour prévenir leur destruction et disparition. Le dialogue sincère, des bonnes intentions, une meilleure connaissance des problèmes et une compréhension mutuelle sont des outils dont nous avons besoin pour faire face aux difficultés. Il indique également que le grand défi de préservation du patrimoine spirituel de nos peuples est devant nous et qu’ensemble, nous pouvons effectuer cette mission. Mrs Irina Bokova Director-General of UNESCO delivered her address by which she expressed her appreciation to the Russian Federation authorities for hosting the 36th session of the World Heritage Committee. She underlined that this country adhered to the World Heritage Convention more than 20 years ago and now boasts 24 sites on the famous World Heritage List, including St Petersburg -- this “Venice of the North” which embodies the values and the concepts underpinning the World Heritage Convention. The Director-General noted that over 40 years, 189 States have ratified the World Heritage Convention making it one of the most universally ratified legal instruments. She however mentioned that, on its 40th birthday, the World Heritage Convention faces numerous threats, and also a more fundamental challenge -- that of its credibility and its future. She underlined that, in recent years, some developments within the inscription process have weakened the principles of scientific excellence and impartiality that are at the heart of the Convention. The Director-General reaffirmed that the credibility of the inscription process must be absolute at all stages of the proceedings. She indicated that today, criticism is growing, and that she was deeply concerned about this matter. She noted that we are at the crossroads, and that a clear choice should be made whether it is adding more sites to the list, adhering less and less strictly to the World Heritage Convention criteria. Or, on the other hand, to act and think as visionaries, to rejuvenate the World Heritage Convention and to confront the challenges of the 21st century. The Director-General reaffirmed that World Heritage could be an instrument of sustainable development in the 21st century. She underlined that the 40th anniversary celebrations showcase the dynamism of local communities and that
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