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Icheri Sheher removed from UNESCOâ€™s List of World Heritage in Danger

27 June 2009 09:26 (UTC +04:00)

Office of Icheri Sheher State Historical-Architectural Preserve under the Cabinet of Ministers told APA that the 33rd session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee began in Seville on June 22. The delegation led by chairman of the Office of Icheri Sheher State Historical-Architectural Preserve under the Cabinet of Ministers Mikayil Jabbarov is also attending the session. The measures taken to preserve the Inner City (Icheri Sheher) were also discussed during the session. Recent steps taken to improve the management system of Icheri Sheher, decision on establishing safety zone of Icheri Sheher State Historical-Architectural Preserve and presentation of the Master Plan on conservation were welcomed and it was noted that Azerbaijani government fulfilled all the recommendations given to remove Icheri Sheher from List of World Heritage in Danger.
The draft decision on considering the removal of Icheri Sheher from the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2010 had been included into the agenda of the 33rd session of the World Heritage Committee. But after head of Azerbaijani delegation Mikayil Jabbarov gave detailed information about the work done in Icheri Sheher and presented related documents, initial draft decision was changed and on June 25 the Committeeâ€™s 21 members unanimously voted to remove Icheri Sheher from the List of World Heritage in Danger. The World Heritage Committee welcomed the success of the authorities of Azerbaijan in preserving cultural heritage. The session will end on June 30.
The site, which sustained damage during the earthquake of November 2000, was inscribed on the Danger List in 2003. The site was then also noted to be negatively affected by the pressure of urban development, the absence of conservation policies and by dubious restoration efforts. In connection with this the committee gave recommendations to Azerbaijani government. Under the order issued by Azerbaijani President, efficient activities were carried out in this field. The construction in the site was stopped, necessary measures were taken to regulate the traffic, monuments and historical buildings were inventoried. Expert groups of UNESCO and other international organizations that visited Azerbaijan especially noted in their reports that the recommendations given by the World Heritage Committee had been fulfilled, separate state body established to manage the preserve and it had relevant authorities. They appreciated the measures taken to preserve the monuments.