Faya Paleolandscape inscribed

Now : Murujuga (Australia)

ICOMOS: great cultural landscape, ouv in crit 1,3 and 5. but pollution by industries an issue

Session adjourned for lunch, back at 3pm Paris time!

What a cliff hanger! I'm usually in bed by the time they resume (11pm Sydney time)

7 sites on the agenda this afternoon. They'd better start quickly

Belgium is the only speaker so far in this meeting that dares to put in some critical words or warnings, but still supports the amendments to overrule so far.

Oh, another critical word (to what extent is the indigenous community able to defend itself to industrial development). Who was this (a woman)? Italy?
UPDATE: it was Lebanon

Surprised Japan and SK both spoke in favour of inscription, as they are big buyers of the gas processed literally across the road from where that aerial photo is taken

Australia found it necessary to send the Minister for the Environment. Pitches that the site would actually be better protected as a WHS than it is now (bigger protected area). Brought along a scientist who only had 20 seconds to speak.

Australia (by mouth of Kenya) is overplaying its hand a bit by requesting extra time for reporting back to the WHC, more than other inscriptions. Compromise reached to send a progress report earlier.

Murujuga inscribed

6 more to go this afternoon, of which 3 are recommended to Inscribe which will not be discussed in detail

Next: Xixia Tombs (China)

Inscribed.

Now: Maratha Military Landscapes