Transmission has started. Quite a time difference between Cambodia and Europe, so I don't know which parts I will be able to follow.

The livestream is available here:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/sessions/37COM/

Please use this thread to discuss this year's session.

First good news, Bam is removed from the endangered list.

Today session is started, the chairman is allowed Iranian delegate to thank you to remove Bam from the list of WH in danger who in turn thanks UNESCO, ICOMOS, and Italy. Now they will discuss on conservation status of Abu Mena and Jerusalem.
>
>
Lunch break! Morning session is full of discuss of state of conservation on many sites such as Great Barrier Reef, Lorentz NP. Indian Delegate propose a change on rules of discussion on WHS in danger to allow state party own that WH in danger has a more chance to explain and give a fact and reason, at the end they agreed to set a comittee to study the rules and will be chaired by India!
>
>
Session resume with discussion of Thailand's Khao Yai which has dam construction plan, and illegal cutting of Siamese Rosewood. Halong Bay with pollution from increase of population and tourism. No discussion for Australian and Chinese sites. Then European site, i have to say Russian under attack with many problem from mining and capital development from infrastructure, tourism etc. and what is the meaning of capital infrastucture development, a very long discussion by Russian, Germany, India, Switzerland, South Africa!
>
>
No discussion for Latin/South American sites then go to African sites

Hi Durian - do you know who the acting chairpersons are? I have seen 2 so far - neither of whom was obviously "Cambodian". Last year the Russian lady carried out the job pretty well (I note her among Russia's delegation this year). Have the Cambodians "opted out" rather like the Bahraini chair 2 years ago?

I saw Mr. Sok An acted as a chairperson in the morning session, he switched from english to french all the time! and in the afternoon session is delegate from Columbia. Picture of Mr. Sok An was used in the live webcast during intermission lunch break.

World Heritage Committee inscribes East Rennell on the List of World Heritage in Danger

I guess it is working fine for everyone else and it is just my work PC that is having issues with the livestream.

Looks like I will be relying on you guys for updates.

I am at work too and cannot follow it (technically I can, but I have to work also...).

A news flash from this morning:
"There was some notable comments that were brought up. Of particular note was the revelation that the Comoé National Park in Côte d'Ivoire. It appears that yet another wildlife site – and this one a World Heritage Site – has lost its population of lions."
http://wildlifenews.co.uk/2013/what-no-lions-quick-report-on-the-unesco-world-heritag e-sites-meeting/

The Great Barrier Reef and the Beech Forests in Slovakia got a warning. The will be added to the list of danger next year, if Australia and Slovakia don't act. Australia should protect the reef from rising industrialization; Slovakia should stop the massive deforestation and work closer with Germany and Ukraine.

Today (19 June) is started and chaired by Mr. Sok An, they will continue the conservation evaluation and start with Lope-Okanda of Gabon and its road construction problem. Then Cliff of Bandiagara damaged by Mali conflict with exodus of locals, armed group and SHUT DOWN of tourism to support cultural activities. Abu Mena and Komi Forest are returned for pending decision adoptation before move to Asia/Pacific cultural sites conservation report.
>
>
Wudang, China is the first site to discuss - problem of alternation of landscape from reservoir, impact ancient buildings location, some palace will be on an island! Chinese invites ICOMOS for mission. Hampi, India is next with report on debris problem from collapsed bridge, bazaar area removal and the slow progress of India. Russia (the lady who was last year chair person) and Malaysia suggest no monitering mission need as India already did a good effort and save money! Isfahan's Imam Square and Jameh Mosque, Iran with uncontrolled urban development including subway construction, but good news is Iran already demolished the violated hi-rise building. Galle, Sri Lanka still have port and cricket stadium development concern. No discussion need for Macao, Yasawi, Kathmandu, Thatta, Bukhara and Samarkand. Move to cultural sites in Europe/N America.
>
>
Berat and Gjirokastra, Albania, hotel complex development concern at Gjirokastra. Vienna and Schonbrunn Palace, Austria, concern on high building in historic center, need height restriction on Intercontinental Hotel project. Rhine Valley, Germany France expressed concern on hotel building, cable car and energy installation developments with visual impact on the landscape. Many state parties raised concern on cable car and asked ICOMOS to study the overall value of cable car as there are many WHS where cable cars are needed. Germany promised to dismantle cable car after 13 years! many support its existance as long as the cable car is not impact OUV, but some concern double standard with South America and Africa cases and the question of preservation and development especially for better access to WHS. Catalhoyuk, Turkey positive development - the management plan is done but ICOMOS still need plan monitoring. The last one is Kiev, Ukraine with a report of preservation and concern on urban impact and visual integrity, some completed buildings are already impact WHS and need to have mitigate measure. Long discussion on putting it in the list of WH in danger, many against while many support, then move to other region, and lunch break.

Afternoon Session resume, again chaired by H.E. Sok An, with conservative discussion on Latin America. Potosi, Bolivia is the first site to be discussed follow by Church of chilo, Chile, Quito of Equador, Panama Velja in Panama most issue is about visual impact and modern development for buildings to subway etc. Panama's viaduct is a really big problem for discussion as the viaduct is outside buffer zone and has some visual impact in high position and it cut the historic city from the sea, so many state want to put it in the list in danger, while many appreciate it as beauty and nice way to develop, at the end no solution so they need to form working group chaired by Cambodia. Now we move to Africa.

Hi Durian - so, have they finished Europe?.
What happened to the UK "problem sites" - Liverpool, Westminster etc etc or are they a different Agenda item?

No discussion on UK sites as far as I listened.

Hi Durian, thanks for the updates, exactly what I need with no access to the livestream.

It seems Che Guevara has got on a world heritage list as well now.

A few more to add to our connection from this years new entries: Brasilia, Lorsch (bonus point for being located in another WHS: Bamberg), Auschwitz

This one seems fairly reasonable fo inclusion as well as it is in the Topkapi Palce:
Istanbul

If anyone know Georgia better than me, perhaps tehre is something in this one?: Bagrati

thanks for keeping us informed Durian. Keep up the telegraphic updates :)