Keep Victoria Falls Wild, 27th July 2026
Unofficial transcript of
World Heritage Committee discussion regarding State of Conservation of
the Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, at the 48th session
of the Committee, held at Busan, Republic of Korea, 27th
July 2026, morning session.
You can watch the full session on the UNESCO YouTube channel here. (discussion on Victoria Falls starts around 3.25).
Download an audio file (mp3) of the discussion on the Victoria Falls here.
Download the amended draft decision text for the Site (pdf), as submitted to the World Heritage Centre on 24th July 2026 here. Please note that UNESCO will publish the final agreed text on their website at some point in the near future. Note that there may be minor differences between the amendments as drafted in this document and the amendments as shown on screen during the Session and as discussed by the Committee. We will publish a detailed comparison and review of the agreed decision text in due course.
Please also note that certain sections of the dialog are unclear as to the specific wordings of the Committee or Chair and this transcript should be checked against the audio/video, which has subtitled (but not always correct!) for confirmation and clarification.
Session Chaired by Mr Lee Byong-Hyun.
African World Heritage
Centre Representative: Mr Muhammad Muhammad Juma.
IUCN Representative: Mizuki
Murai, Senior Programme Coordinator.
World Heritage Watch
Representative: Stephan Doempke.
WHC48-7B-93 Transcript of Discussion
[Chair] OK, thank you,
Excellences, dear colleagues, we will continue with 7B Nature, Africa. I now would like to give the floor to the
delegation of Senegal
to present to the Committee the reason why it requested to open for discussion
the state of conservation of the Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls, Zambia/Zimbabwe.
Mr Ambassador you have the floor.
[Senegal] Thank
you Chairperson. Senegal
wishes to thank the Secretariat for agreeing to open the state of conservation report
on the Victoria Falls property. With your
permission we would like to give the floor to the distinguished Ambassador of
Tanzania in order to present this item. Thank you Chair.
[Chair] Err, Senegal now is not the right time to give the
floor to Tanzania or Zambia,
so later on specific questions. You introduce,
please.
[Senegal] No, in
fact we would like to give the floor to Tanzania
in order to introduce why Senegal
requested the opening of the report on the state of conservation.
[Chair] So agreed among
African group? I recognise Ambassador Faye just come back.
[Senegal] Yes, Chairperson,
we requested this discussion and within the African group we decided that Kenya would be
taking the floor.
[Chair] If that's the case
I now invite Tanzania,
OK, you have the floor
[Tanzania] Sorry
Chair, I think the Chair of the African group mentioned that within the African
group the first one to take the floor will be Kenya
followed by Tanzania,
with your permission.
[Chair] OK, Kenya?
[Kenya] Thank
you Mr Chairman for this opportunity. As regards this matter we appreciate the
demonstrated efforts invested by the State Parties of Zambia and Zimbabwe in the
preservation and the conservation of the OUV of the property amid competing
interests at the Site.
Chair, our main issue lies
in the need to address a selected few technical aspects embedded in the draft
decision, and besides the language used, which we believe should be moderated,
we consider that there are technical issues that we need to acknowledge.
One of the issues that we
have noted the issue of the State Parties making strides in a positive
direction. As we are gathered here we are informed that a team of experts is
conducting assessment in response to a call from the Zimbabwe National Committee
on calculation of risks undermining the critical conservation and protection in
Victoria Falls.
Chair, with particular
emphasis on the Baines Restaurant and the Cataract Island
activity, these, in our opinion, are not part of high magnitude developments. On
the balance of probabilities the two State Parties are leaning more on the
positive rather than the negative. More tangible efforts have been done towards
mitigation of negative impacts.
Chair, the state party of
Zambia in their actions are a true statement to the further confirmation for
the need to balance conservation and sustainable development in line with the 2015
Policy document on the sustainable development, among others.
We propose that both State
Parties continue to engage in dialogue with the World Heritage Centre and IUCN
and that they invite an Advisory Mission on the best ways of dealing with
issues surrounding Victoria Falls. In this
light we call for the opening of the item and have proposed amendments to the
draft decision. Thank you Chair.
[Chair] OK, thank you. I
now invite Mr Muhammad Juma Muhammad Chief of
the African World Heritage Centre, and IUCN to provide their comments. You have
the floor.
[African World Heritage
Centre Representative] Thank you very much Mr Chair. Mr Chair, this is a joint
intervention from World Heritage Centre Secretariat and IUCN. In the spirit of
cooperation that the Kenya announced, and support for the State Parties, Mr Chair
we are please to inform the distinguished committee members that having taking
note of the proposed amendments the Secretariat and IUCN met with the State
Parties of Zambia and Zimbabwe for constructive exchange and dialogue, which
led to clarification and agreement on points raised. Thank you Mr Chair.
[Chair] Thank you. IUCN.
[IUCN Representative] Thank
you Mr Chair. The WHC gave a joint intervention on behalf of the Centre and
IUCN, however I would also like to acknowledge and wish to thank the State Parties
of Zambia and Zimbabwe
for the constructive meeting that we held of the 23rd July. Thank you Mr Chair.
[Chair] OK, thank you. As Kenyan
delegation rightly pointed out we surely have amended proposal, so please upload
on the screen.
Para 1, 2, 3, with original language, unless there is
objection? Para 1,2,3 adopted.
Para 4 - no objections? Para
4 adopted as amended.
Para 5, original language, normal litigation. Para 5 - Adopted.
Para 6 - I see no questions, no objections. Para 6 adopted as amended.
Para 7, with original language. Para
7 adopted.
Para 8. I see no objection. Para
8 adopted as amended.
Para 9. I see no objection. Para
9 adopted as amended.
Para 10, small 'a', small 'b'
- no problem, small 'c' - minor wording change, 'd', 'e', 'f'. So Para 10 - OK,
Poland.
[Poland] Thank
you Chair, we think that with the paragraph point 'e' we would like to remain
the point 'ecological connectivity' because that is really important for the
Site and I think it would be good to leave it here.
[Chair] OK, Kenya.
[Kenya] Thank you Chair. We wish to
bring to your notice that the Site was inscribed under criterion 7 and 8, so
this 'ecological connectivity' is not well grounded, so that's why we propose for
geomorphological aspects, thank you.
[Chair] Poland, and followed by Switzerland
[Poland] Thank
you very much. I know - I have this understanding - that one of the attributes,
there is migratory route for birds, so ecological connectivity, this ecological
connectivity is really important apart from the beauty and exception
phenomenon. Thank you.
[Chair] Thank you. Switzerland
[Switzerland] Thank
you Chairperson for giving us the floor. We wish to support what our colleagues
from Poland have stated and we would add additional that there are birds there
are also deciduous forest which comply with criterion 7 so ecological
connectivity is very important here, so perhaps which should retain 'ecological
connectivity' and 'geomorphological aspects' as well. Thank you.
[Chair] OK, Kenya
[Kenya] Sorry
the issue here is, those issue of birds that just added information during the
interactive statement of our OUV.
We also appreciate that we
have those two species of bird, the black eagle and the taita falcon that was
mentioned in the interactive statement. But the gist of the inscription was
under criterion 7 and criterion 8, kindly, thank you.
[Chair] Tanzania.
[Tanzania] Thank
you Chair, we wish to align to Kenya
because the key consideration for this site is criteria 8 and it is very
difficult to see why we should now add 'ecological connectivity' which is a
very different criteria. And perhaps Kenya, sorry, Chair, at your
discretion, if we could also ask the State Parties concerned to add some
information on this particular discussion. Thank you Chair.
[Chair] OK for this very
specific question to State Party for one minute, maximum one minute. Zambia.
[Zambia] Thank
you Mr Chairman, as this is the first time for us to come on the floor we would
like to appreciate the hospitality granted to us by the State Party of Republic
of Korea. Just like as the committee members have pointed out the
Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls was inscribed on geological criteria, and even these
said migratory routes are not there - there is no, nothing to do with migratory
route at the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site
And even the taita falcon
which has been said here, the recent studies that have been done at the WHS point
to the fact there was only one taita falcon which was seemingly - and I'm using
the word seemingly - spotted during this study. Therefore you cannot submit the
State Parties to that terminology. And this is the same terminology which was
removed when we last met in Saudi Arabia
if not in India.
So therefore we are asking that this terminology be removed because in the
future it may be used against us wrongfully as has been the case in the past. I
submit Mr Chairman.
[Chair] Thank you but
despite criteria concerned, relevant criteria, ecological connectivity does not
harm, so I don't understand why 'ecological connectivity' plus 'geomorphological
aspect', both elements there. Czechia
[Czechia] Thank you Mr
Chair, we would like to ask Secretariat or IUCN to add more information so that
we may understand better the situation. Thank you very much.
[Chair] Ok, thank you.
Advisory bodies, expertise, opinion?
[IUCN Representative] Thank
you Mr Chair. I think in this regard the sentence refers to 'including', so it
is under the understanding that these are some of the aspects to be considered.
With regard specifically to the ecological connectivity indeed this property is
inscribed under criterion 7 and 8, nonetheless the statement of OUV as a whole
including the text under integrity, it does point towards the broader
ecological aspects of this property as part of the wider ecosystems. Thank you
Mr Chair.
[Chair] OK, thank you
IUCN. I now give the floor to Kenya.
[Kenya] OK,
thank you Chair. Our position is that what needs to be the focus of the two
State Parties as regards the Site is sticking to the criteria 7 and 8, look at
the continued conservation and management of the geomorphological aspects and
the reasons to do with hydrological regimes. This 'ecological connectivity' is kind
of not well grounded, because those two species, those that have been floated
here, there is no indication how they are affected by any of these developments
that you are talking about, thank you.
[Chair] Tanzania - and just
produce some constructed compromise.
[Tanzania] Thank
you Chair, thank you very much. I think we need to be focussed. We are very
much guided by the criteria when we inscribe to ensure that the conditions of
the OUV are met and we are guided by the criteria. If we expand to include ecological
systems and value that means we are proposing another criteria for this
particular site. So while it is a good terminology added to the statement of the
OUV, it cannot override the primary goal, you know, for inscribing this Site,
which, was criteria 8 and 7. So, our position is that the that fact there is a
mention in the OUV cannot be safely taken now to increase the responsibility of
the State party based on a criteria which is not demonstrated, basically, at
the Site. So we continue to support what Kenya is proposing, Chair. Thank
you.
[Chair] Hmm, so I think Senegal is in line with Kenya and Tanzania,
so I now Poland.
[Poland] Thank you Mr Chair. I would
like to ask how the State Parties concerned how this 'ecological connectivity'
goes against criterion 7 because I don't see that it is contradictory. Criterion
7 talks about the exceptional beauty and outstanding phenomena of nature, so I
don't see here any contradiction. So please, I would like to hear about this.
Thank you very much.
[Chair] Time is up, so I
now give the floor to Senegal
[Senegal] Thank
you very much Chairperson for giving me the floor. I believe that the matter
here is not to know what goes against criteria 7 and 8, but rather what is
relevant within the framework of the listing because paragraph 'e' focuses on
the listing and it is stated that 'Including their potential effects', so this
has to be taken in light of the OU statement of the property. If this is not
something which will block the adoption of the draft decision, I would like to
urge delegations to show flexibility and understanding, the Polish and the
Swiss delegations in particular, so that we may adopt this draft decision on
the basis of proposals already tabled by Kenya. Thank you
[Chair] Given time
constraints if Poland or Switzerland
cannot propose compromise language, let's leave it... until this afternoon. Poland?
[Poland] Thank you Mr Chair. I have
a compromise proposal just to keep ecological connectivity and after coma to
put 'If appropriate or relevant' - 'whenever appropriate.'
[Chair] OK, Kenya
[Kenya] Thank
you. Mr Chairman. For us we really respect the opinions of Switzerland and Poland. Making a decision - any
decision we make here has serious implications. It is not that Zambia or
Zimbabwe are opposed to taking care of biodiversity and especially birds, so we
respectively want to ask that we stick to the criteria but note that we have
that responsibility to take care of our biodiversity, which we do very
dutifully. Thank you chair.
[Chair] Poland.
[Poland] Mr
President, for the sake of time and in the spirit of compromise, also we are full
confident in our argumentation, we are willing to go with this language as
amended. Thank you. Which means submitting without this 'ecological
connectivity'.
[Chair] Switzerland
[Switzerland] Thank you chairperson.
In spirit of consensus we could also agree to that position, thank you.
[Chair] OK, thank you so
much. So 'f', 'e', - small 'e' - adopted as amended and 'f' with original
languages, whole para 10 adopted.
11 - I see no objection, Para 11 adopted as amended.
Para 12 - OK, is see none,
Para 12 adopted as amended.
Para 13 - Czechia
[Czechia] Thank you Mr
Chair we would like to ask the Secretariate just technical questions regarding
this new para 13 and the specific wording displayed on screen in the Kenya
amendment whether the text needs to be more specified according to the operational
guidelines. In this case the advisory mission would address the verification of
the ground boundary and provide guidance on the outstanding issues is not
defined in the amendment. Could we seek
advice as to if the current wording is sufficient or whether it should
be adjusted more closely reflect the terminology of the guidelines. Thank you
very much.
[Chair] Thank you. IUCN.
[IUCN Representative] Thank
you Mr Chair and thank you honourable delegate from Czechia. Indeed as
currently drafted is it is somewhat difficult for us to be able to implement
this particular decision or recommendation. The WHC and IUCN have spoken with
the State Parties we would be please to field either an Advisory Mission or
Reactive Monitoring Mission in discussion with the State Parties but as draft
somewhat unclear as to how we would move forward. Thank you.
[Chair] So Czechia -
understood? alright Para 13 and 14 with
original language.
Para 13 adopted as amended
together with Para 14, with original language.
Para 13 and 14 adopted as amended.
OK I now declare draft
decision for 48Com 7B.93 adopted as amended as a whole.
[Applause... Chair moves to close meeting, announcements...]
[Chair] Before closing the
meeting I give the floor to WHW for a brief two minute statement. There will be
no interpretation.
[World Heritage Watch
Representative] Thank you Mr Chair. This is a statement by Keep Victoria Falls
Wild supported by the World Heritage Watch network.
We
are disappointed by the continued lack of progress by both the State Parties
and the World Heritage Centre in addressing issues relating to tourism
development pressures within and surrounding this Site, and note the proposed
amended Decision text again attempts to dilute these concerns.
There
has been no progress on mitigation measures relating to the Mosi-oa-Tunya
Resort development in Zambia. No
progress on undisclosed riverside developments constructed within the Site's
'no new development zone' in Zimbabwe. And
no progress on further proposed riverside tourism developments within this
zone, agreed by the Zimbabwean Park Authority and yet again undisclosed.
The
list of issues and concerns significantly includes ongoing delays to the
finalisation and submission of the SEA and new Joint Management Plan, as well
as a long overdue clarification of the Site's boundary and management zones.
The
State Parties have been repeatedly warned over the cumulative impact of tourism
developments within and surrounding the property. Without
action, the World Heritage Committee are in danger of assisting and
facilitating further illegitimate tourism developments.
A
moratorium on all tourism developments within the Site and its surrounding 500m
Buffer Zone - pending the finalisation and agreement by the Committee of the
new JIMP - is urgently needed in order to prevent further tourism development
within the Site.
Thank
you Mr Chair
[Chair]
OK, thank you, now meeting is adjourned.
See also:
Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (24th July 2026) Committee Members Propose Further Last Minute Amendments to draft Decision text on Victoria Falls World Heritage Site.
Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (23rd July 2026) World Heritage Committee members attempt to dilute draft Decision text regarding Victoria Falls.
Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (18th July 2026) Riverside Developments at Victoria Falls Threaten World Heritage Site
Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (15th July 2026) World Heritage Committee Turns Its Attentions to Victoria Falls.
Victoria Falls Bits and Blogs (9th July 2026) Still Kicking the Can Down the Road... UNESCO World Heritage Committee Draft Decision text published.
