Decision 44 COM 7A.14

Old Town of Ghadamès (Libya) (C 36)

Decision: 44 COM 7A.14

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/21/44.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 43 COM 7A.26, adopted at its 43rd session (Baku, 2019),
3. Commends the important efforts made by the State Party to raise funds and undertake activities for the conservation of the property and its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), despite the difficult situation and working conditions on the ground, and urgesit to continue its efforts in this regard to the extent possible;
4. Also commends the State Party for the submission of the Retrospective Statement of OUV for the Old Town of Ghadamès;
5. Welcomes the progress made in the elaboration of the Minor Boundary Modification proposal and requests the State Party to continue the process in close consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, and to submit it in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines;
6. Adopts the set of corrective measures and a timeframe for their implementation, as well as the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), elaborated in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies;
7. Also requeststhe State Party to regularly inform the World Heritage Centre on the evolution of the situation at the property and any new measures undertaken to implement the corrective measures and ensure its protection and conservation, as well as any future plans for major restoration or new construction projects that may affect the OUV of the property, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines.
8. Notes with satisfaction the progress made by the State Party in the development of a Management Plan for the property, including a risk preparedness and conservation plan, and invites it to continue its efforts in that regard, taking into account the recommendations of ICOMOS’ technical review;
9. Acknowledgesthe invitation by the State Party for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to the property, to take place as soon as the conditions permit;
10. Reiterates its callfor an increased mobilization of the international community to provide financial and technical support to the State Party, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund, to implement the corrective measures that have been identified;
11. Expresses its appreciation to the Netherlands Funds in Trust and other donors and institutions, for the support provided to the State Party towards the conservation and management of the property;
12. Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2022, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 45th session;
13. Decides to retain the Old Town of Ghadamès (Libya) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.