The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32COM/7B.Add,

2. Recalling Decision 30 COM 7B.39, adopted at its 30th session (Vilnius, 2006),

3. Notes with satisfaction that significant progress has been achieved in the implementation of the Aksum Obelisk re-installation project;

4. Reiterates its request to the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 2008, the map of the property indicating clearly the boundaries of the World Heritage property and buffer zones, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

5. Encouragesthe State Party to submit an International assistance request to address the issue of rising water table level at the Stelae Park;

6. Requests the State Party to implement the site management road map and to take the necessary protective measures;

7. Also requests the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value including the conditions of integrity and authenticity, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;

8. Further requests the State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre / ICOMOS mission to Aksum end of 2009 with a view to assessing its state of conservation and to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2010, a report on progress made in the management of the property, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 34th session in 2010.