Cultural Heritage Group

Transcription

1 on Report Findings, Recommendations and No. NGO Finding Related Recommendation Summary explanation The summary table below presents the results of a facilitated workshop between and the NGO Cultural Heritage NGO Working Group Representatives held on May 13, 2005.Meeting ttendees : Richard (BTC, Kingham Environmental Supervisor), Elnara Huseynova (BTC,Safety dvisor), Khatira Iskender ( BP,Community Relation Manager), Matin khundlu (BP Community Relation Coordinator), ndrew Buchman (BP,External Engagement Project Strategy Coordinator) Galib Efendiyev (OSI Transparence Oil Revenue and Public Finance Programme Director), Esmira sadullayeva (OSI, NGO Monitoring Programme Coordinator), Elmira Gasimova (NGO Monitoring Support Officer), fig Safarov (Coordinator of CH working group), Sayaf Pashayev (Evaluator of CH wprking group), Farida Huseynova (Member of CH working group), Zemfira Budagova (Member of CH working group). This was an opportunity for us to engage in a constructive dialogue and to hear directly from you your views and recommendations. We are pleased to provide our feedback and we have defined below the following criteria to convey our responses: ccept () : We accept the recommendation and finding and we will take steps to address your recommendation or provide evidence on how has already addressed this issue. ccept with Qualification (wq): This applies to recommendations or findings where we understand and appreciate the findings and/or recommendations the WG s have made in their course of investigation, but we disagree with some of their views regarding the steps the company has taken to address these concerns. We therefore qualify our agreement in providing details of our policies and actions that already address the issues raised. We also use this criteria in cases where there is a mismatch between the NGO finding and related recommendation. Reject (R): We disagree with the WG finding and recommendation and in the Summary provide our views. In some cases the findings and recommendations needed further investigation and all parties agreed to follow up the discussions in the next round of monitoring. (D-f05).The column in the table reflects actions to be taken where appropriate. 1

2 on Report Findings, Recommendations and No. NGO Finding Related Recommendation Summary explanation 1. Collaboration between relevant departments of the Ministry of Culture (MoC) and zerbaijan National cademy of Sciences Institute for Ethnography and rchaeology (IE) on the eve of BTC pipeline construction was very poor 1. Promote effective collaboration between relevant departments of the Ministry of Culture and IE by continuing the following activities during the construction of SCP: ) Raising awareness about the BTC and SCP archaeological program through submission of monthly progress reports to a single point of contact at the MoC. B) Offering representatives from the MoC opportunities to visit the right of way and observe excavations. C) s a courtesy, BTC should submit Phase 5 reports directly to the MoC for their information and consideration, noting that the IE is the organisation actually responsible for submitting such reports and making recommendations for the protection of sites and/or artefacts. wq The IE and the MoC collaborate in that the IE make recommendations regarding sites they feel should be protected by the MoC under the provisions of national decrees. To maintain their awareness about BTC s archaeological program we offer representatives from the MoC opportunities to visit the right of way and observe excavations. To promote the sharing of information about the excavations program BTC also provides the MoC with monthly progress reports summarising the characteristics of each site and progress achieved to date. Ultimately the Phase 5 reports will be submitted to the MoC and these will provide detailed information about each excavation. 2

3 on Report Findings, Recommendations and No. NGO Finding Related Recommendation Summary explanation 2 There is a considerable need to improve the maintenance and supplies at museums functioning in the regions along with providing capacitybuilding for their staff Develop and make public the Strategy for the protection of monuments and/or artefacts realised due to pipeline construction. It is recommended that BTC: -Improve the condition of museum facilities in order to allow public access to BTC and SCP finds at a location in the regions and in Baku. -Prepare lists, catalogues, booklets and websites highlighting findings that were unearthed during pipeline construction and describe their significance to cultural heritage in zerbaijan. wq BTC has sponsored the upgrade of a museum in Goranboy and is entering into discussions with the IE to help ensure artefacts and information about our excavations in this region is made available to local people. We are not, however, in a position to upgrade museums functioning across the regions, as this is the responsibility of national government.. BTC/SCP and the IE are now exploring opportunities to display artefacts in Baku. This may involve upgrading an existing museum facility in the capital. We intend to publish booklets and place information on our website. Such activities will be undertaken during Phase 5 of the archaeological program. 3

4 on Report Findings, Recommendations and No. NGO Finding Related Recommendation Summary explanation 3 Process of cataloguing and examining findings progresses slowly Complete cataloguing and examination of findings as early as practicable and publicise the results in booklets and on the internet. Create a public display in collaboration with the IE to present historical and cultural artefacts discovered along the pipeline route to the public in Baku. Ensure national expertise is involved in the creation of materials and displays for the general public and helps to coordinate delivery of such works. Cataloguing and examining archaeological findings is typically a time-consuming exercise although we would like to share information about the excavations with the public as early as practicable. Priority must, however, be given to ensuring that Phase 5 work is comprehensive and completed to a high standard. s mentioned above, BTC/SCP has sponsored the upgrade of a museum in Goranboy and together with the IE is now exploring opportunities to display artefacts in Baku. This is likely to involve upgrading an existing museum facility in the capital. BTC co-operates with the IE - our partner in delivering the archaeological program. Not only is this a regulatory requirement but also the IE is best placed to interface with NGOs and other interest groups on matters about cultural heritage in zerbaijan. Together we will disseminate information to interested parties during the Phase 5 works. 4

5 on Report Findings, Recommendations and No. NGO Finding Related Recommendation Summary explanation 4 lthough archaeologists had marked the area in Tovuzchay with tape, trenching continued without the participation of archaeologists. This eventually led to serious damages in two burial chambers. It was discovered that the workers employed in construction, particularly those involved in excavation works, had no information regarding the procedures on how to handle historical and cultural monuments and artefacts found along the route of the pipeline. This fact was immediately brought up for discussion with the company management. The management took appropriate actions to avoid such acts from occurring in the future In order to demonstrate continued levels of good performance, allow NGOs the opportunity to review progress during Ensure that workers employed in construction receive refresher training on the archaeological chance finds procedures. Refresher training would further reduce the risk of causing damage to chance-finds during SCP construction. lthough execution of the archaeological program has largely been a great success there have been a small number of instances where problems have been encountered. These problems have typically related to unknown sites or chance finds discovered during trenching. When found construction ceases in that area while the finds are investigated. There have also been a small number of isolated incidents when construction workers have disturbed cordoned off sites being unaware of their importance. Like any other incident, BTC seeks to find the immediate and root causes of the incident and implement effective measures to prevent recurrence. BTC thanks the authors for recognising the efforts of the Company to take corrective actions when required. 5

6 on Report Findings, Recommendations and No. NGO Finding Related Recommendation Summary explanation 5 Public awareness of archaeological activities is poorly organised s stated above, BTC should develop and make public a Strategy for completing Phase 5 of the archaeological work programme. This Strategy should be agreed with the IE and could involve civil society. It should : Phase 5 activities by definition are specifically aimed at sharing the results of the archaeological program with the scientific community, other interest groups and the general public. BTC will work with the national authorities to discuss and agree effective means of sharing information. The potential for the NGO community to assist with Phase 5 activities will be discussed with the IE. - Remove confusion about the project s management of cultural heritage - P ublicise the positive outcomes of the archaeological work program - Make local people and the international community more aware of the importance of cultural heritage - Give other specialists access to the new archaeological data The mechanisms employed should be transparent and accessible to the public and NGOs. The involvement of NGOs may be beneficial in achieving this goal and should therefore be given serious consideration by BTC. It is suggested that BTC discuss the monitoring group s recommendations with the IE given the NGOs involved in preparing this report have comprehensive information regarding BTC s archaeological performance. BTC should disclose detailed information about the findings unearthed during construction of BTC and SCP using the Internet and by publishing articles in archaeological journals. 6

7 on Report Findings, Recommendations and No. NGO Finding Related Recommendation Summary explanation 6 BTC s offset mitigation for passing through the buffer zone of the Gobustan Cultural Reserve has not yet been fully delivered BTC should continue to assist the administration of the Gobustan Cultural Reserve in obtaining World Heritage Status. This should be done through BTC s continued participation in the multi-stakeholder Steering Committee, which was established by the MoC to help ensure effective implementation of their Management Plan for the Reserve. BTC should identify sustainable investments that will help the MoC achieve some of the key objectives identified in the Plan. In doing so, BTC will maximise the value of its offset mitigation budget. BTC has been assisting the MoC in its efforts to make the Gobustan Cultural Reserve a World Heritage Site for over a year. Such assistance has included sponsoring steering committee meetings, provision of computer hard ware and geographical information databases, the provision of training in the use of computer software for cataloguing cultural resources, publishing brochures, offering the help of foreign archaeologists who are aware of UNESCO s expectations regarding the management of world heritage sites. This support is ongoing and will include sustainable investments in the Reserve. 7