Decision 45 COM 7A.34

Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Libya) (C 183)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.12 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
3. Notes with appreciation the efforts undertaken by the State Party to address the conservation of the property; and requests it to continue its efforts in this regard to the extent possible and to seek the necessary funds as needed;
4. Also notes with great concern the alarming state of conservation of the Hunting Baths and also requests the State Party to:
   1. Pursue the development of a conservation strategy for the Hunting Baths, with urgent conservation measures aiming to preserve and protect the monument, and to seek the necessary technical and financial support in this regard,
   2. Present the proposed conservation plan for the Hunting Baths to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies,
   3. Continue to consult the Advisory Bodies with regard to restoration materials and techniques planned to be used at the Hunting Baths and the other archaeological remains at the property before their application;
5. Further notes with concern the issue of tidal flooding and continuous sea encroachment on the circus area and further requests the State Party to develop proposals with mitigation measures to address the issue and to present the proposals to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
6. Encourages the State Party to initiate the development of a comprehensive Conservation Action Plan for the property, and to pursue the development of a Management Plan, while seeking the necessary technical and financial support in this regard;
7. Urges the State Party to finalize the process of development of a 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), in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies;
8. Requests furthermore the State Party to continue the close consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies for the elaboration of a Minor Boundary Modification proposal, and to submit it in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines;
9. Requests moreover the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, to finalize the development of a draft Retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), and to submit it for examination by the World Heritage Committee;
10. Reiterates its previous request to the State Party to keep the Committee informed on the evolution of the situation at the property and to inform it, through the World Heritage Centre, on any on-going and 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;
11. Notes furthermore with appreciation the invitation by the State Party for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to the property to evaluate its state of conservation, to take place as soon as the conditions permit;
12. Continues to call for an increased mobilization of the international community to provide financial and technical support to the State Party, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
13. Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2024, 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 46th session;
14. Decides to retain Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Libya) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.