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State of Conservation Archaeological Site of ... 2023

Archaeological Site of Cyrene

Libya
Factors affecting the property in 2023*
  • Crop production
  • Deliberate destruction of heritage
  • Fire (widlfires)
  • Governance
  • Housing
  • Interpretative and visitation facilities
  • Livestock farming / grazing of domesticated animals
  • Management activities
  • Management systems/ management plan
  • Surface water pollution
  • War
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Deliberate destruction of heritage (Inadequate protection leading to threat to rock-hewn monumental tombs, vandalism and the development of agricultural activities in the rural zone)
  • Governance
  • Housing (Urban encroachment and uncontrolled building construction leading to destruction of archaeological areas)
  • Interpretative and visitation facilities (Need for a presentation and interpretation system for visitors and the local population)
  • Livestock farming / grazing of domesticated animals
  • Crop production
  • Management activities (Inappropriate earlier restoration work)
  • Management systems/management plan (Need to complete the Conservation and Management Plan in order to co-ordinate actions in the short and medium term; Need to provide a detailed map at the appropriate scale showing the boundaries of the property and buffer zone, as well as regulatory measures foreseen to ensure the protection of the property; Inadequate on-site security and control systems) 
  • Surface water pollution (Problem of discharge of sewage from the modern town into the Wadi Bel Ghadir)
  • Forest fires
  • Conflict situation prevailing in the country
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger

Conflict situation prevailing in the country

Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger

Not yet drafted

Corrective Measures for the property

Not yet identified

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures

Not yet identified

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2023

Total amount granted: June 2020: Netherlands Funds in Trust: USD 49,620 for Strengthening national capacities for the elaboration of corrective measures for Libyan World Heritage properties.

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2023
Requests approved: 0
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2023**

March 2003: World Heritage Centre mission; May 2006: World Heritage Centre Reactive Monitoring mission; January 2007: Joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission; August 2008: Joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS mission

Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2023

On 3 February 2022, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, the executive summary of which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/190/documents/. Works performed at the property during 2021 and progress in several conservation issues addressed by the Committee at its previous sessions are presented, as follows:

  • Various maintenance and restoration works have been carried out at the theatre in the Agora area, including the following: removal of vegetation, especially within the masonry, reassembly of the stonework after its treatment with resin, and reopening of a blocked side gate, which was causing damage related to the accumulation of humidity;
  • In November 2021, the following works were undertaken in the area of the Severan gate: removal of vegetation, restoration of the archaeological remains of the monument, and replacing the corrugated roof shelter with a new tiled roof;
  • The “lower office” administrative building was rehabilitated, vegetation in the area was removed, and fallen statues were re-erected;
  • The original water channels have been cleaned in order to prevent the accumulation of rainwater and subsequent damage resulting from it;
  • Restoration works have been carried out for the Greek Propylaeum at the sanctuary of Apollo.

Regarding the Cyrene Grand Hotel project near the Temple of Zeus, the State Party informs that this project was part of a larger initiative, significant parts of which were halted before 2011. The hotel project is currently on hold and is likely to be cancelled. The Department of Antiquities (DoA) considers this project cancelled until further notice and shall keep the Committee informed about any developments in this regard.

The State Party reiterates its invitation of a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to assess the state of conservation of the property and to provide advice.

Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2023

The State Party has been able to move forward with the implementation of several initiatives contributing to rehabilitation, maintenance, and restoration of the property, which is welcomed.

The information provided by the State Party concerning the suspension of the Cyrene Grand Hotel project is welcome, and it is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to keep it informed about any future developments in this regard.

The State Party mentions restoration works being carried out at the theatre in the Agora area, the Severan gate area, and the sanctuary of Apollo. However, it does not provide sufficient description of the works and does not elaborate on the implementation details. In this regard, it is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to provide detailed information about works that have been undertaken or are planned, and to continue to consult with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS with regard to conservation materials and techniques.

The pollution caused by the sewage disposal of Shahat City into the Wadi Belghader is not mentioned in the report. Addressing this issue remains a necessity to avoid more damage to the archaeological site.

It remains essential that the joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS mission requested by the Committee at its previous sessions and invited by the State Party be undertaken as soon as conditions permit, in order to evaluate the state of conservation of the property. In the meantime, it is crucial that the State Party begins to develop the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and a set of corrective measures, in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies.

Along the same line, it is recommended that the Committee encourage the State Party to continue consultations with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS concerning the definition of an appropriate buffer zone and submission of a Minor Boundary Modification proposal in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines and to initiate the process for the elaboration of a Retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (RSOUV), in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS for examination by the World Heritage Committee.

A comprehensive strategy for managing and conserving the property in the current context remains a necessity. It is essential that the State Party is strongly encouraged to elaborate a Management Plan and seek technical and financial support to this end.

The Committee may wish to reiterate its call for increased mobilization of the international community to provide financial and technical support to the State Party to pursue urgent conservation activities, and to cooperate in the fight against illicit trafficking of Libyan cultural property.

Based on the above, it is recommended that the Committee retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2023
45 COM 7A.33
Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Libya) (C 190)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.11 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;
  4. Also notes that the Cyrene Grand Hotel project is halted, and also requests 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 Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
  5. Further notes the restoration works being carried out at the theatre in the Agora area, the Severan gate area, and the sanctuary of Apollo, and further requests the State Party to provide detailed information in this regard, and to continue to consult with the World Heritage centre and ICOMOS with regard to conservation materials and techniques planned at the property before their application;
  6. Reiterates its request to the State Party to provide updated information about the damage caused by pollution due to sewage disposal of Shahat city into Wadi Belghader and to seek the necessary technical and financial support to develop relevant mitigation measures;
  7. Also reiterates its request to the State Party to initiate the process to develop 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, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft Retrospective Statement of OUV, for examination by the World Heritage Committee;
  9. Requests moreover 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;
  10. Strongly encourages the State Party to pursue the development of the Management Plan for the property, and invites it to seek the necessary technical and financial support;
  11. Notes with appreciation the invitation from the State Party for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to the property, and also encourages it to take place as soon as conditions permit;
  12. Continues to call for an increased mobilization by the international community to provide financial and technical support to the State Party, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
  13. Reiterates its appeal to all States Parties to cooperate in fighting against the illicit trafficking of cultural property from Libya and engaging in the protection of cultural heritage during armed conflict, as per the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347 of March 2017, the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property;
  14. 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;
  15. Decides to retain Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Libya) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Read more
45 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/23/45.COM/7A, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.2, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.3, WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add.4),
  2. Having examined the recommendations of the Advisory Bodies, decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
  • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 45 COM 7A.51)
  • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 45 COM 7A.52)
  • Austria, Historic Centre of Vienna (Decision 45 COM 7A.55)
  • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 45 COM 7A.18)
  • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.3)
  • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.4)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.5)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.6)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.7)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.8)
  • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 45 COM 7A.26)
  • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.1)
  • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 45 COM 7A.15)
  • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 45 COM 7A.27)
  • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 45 COM 7A.28)
  • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 45 COM 7A.29)
  • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 45 COM 7A.31)
  • Kenya, Lake Turkana National Parks (Decision 45 COM 7A.10)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 45 COM 7A.33)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 45 COM 7A.34)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 45 COM 7A.35)
  • Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 45 COM 7A.36)
  • Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 45 COM 7A.37)
  • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 45 COM 7A.11)
  • Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 45 COM 7A.22)
  • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 45 COM 7A.23)
  • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 45 COM 7A.24)
  • Mexico, Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California (Decision 45 COM 7A.2)
  • Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 45 COM 7A.53)
  • Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 45 COM 7A.12)
  • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 45 COM 7A.39)
  • Palestine, Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town (Decision 45 COM 7A.38)
  • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 45 COM 7A.19)
  • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 45 COM 7A.20)
  • Romania, Roșia Montană Mining Landscape (Decision 45 COM 7A.56)
  • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.13)
  • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 45 COM 7A.57)
  • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 45 COM 7A.16)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 45 COM 7A.40)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 45 COM 7A.41)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 45 COM 7A.42)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 45 COM 7A.43)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 45COM 7A.44)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 45 COM 7A.45)
  • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 45 COM 7A.14)
  • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 45 COM 7A.17)
  • Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 45 COM 7A.54)
  • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 45 COM 7A.21)
  • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 45 COM 7A.47)
  • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 45 COM 7A.49)
  • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 45 COM 7A.50)
3.    Recalls that the following properties were inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger at its 18th extraordinary session (UNESCO, 2023):
  • Lebanon, Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.1)
  • Ukraine, The Historic Centre of Odesa (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.2)
  • Yemen, Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib (Decision 18 EXT.COM 5.3)
Read more
Draft Decision: 45 COM 7A.33

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.11, 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;
  4. Also notes that the Cyrene Grand Hotel project is halted, and also requests 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 Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
  5. Further notes the restoration works being carried out at the theatre in the Agora area, the Severan gate area, and the sanctuary of Apollo, and further requests the State Party to provide detailed information in this regard, and to continue to consult with the World Heritage centre and ICOMOS with regard to conservation materials and techniques planned at the property before their application;
  6. Reiterates its request to the State Party to provide updated information about the damage caused by pollution due to sewage disposal of Shahat city into Wadi Belghader and to seek the necessary technical and financial support to develop relevant mitigation measures;
  7. Also reiterates its request to the State Party to initiate the process to develop 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, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft Retrospective Statement of OUV, for examination by the World Heritage Committee;
  9. Requests moreover 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;
  10. Strongly encourages the State Party to pursue the development of the Management Plan for the property, and invites it to seek the necessary technical and financial support;
  11. Notes with appreciation the invitation from the State Party for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to the property, and also encourages it to take place as soon as conditions permit;
  12. Continues to call for an increased mobilization by the international community to provide financial and technical support to the State Party, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund;
  13. Reiterates its appeal to all States Parties to cooperate in fighting against the illicit trafficking of cultural property from Libya and engaging in the protection of cultural heritage during armed conflict, as per the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347 of March 2017, the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property;
  14. 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;
  15. Decides to retain Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Libya) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Previous 2021
Report year: 2023
Libya
Date of Inscription: 1982
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (ii)(iii)(vi)
Danger List (dates): 2016-present
Documents examined by the Committee
WHC/23/45.COM/7A.Add
SOC Report by the State Party
Report (2022) .pdf
Initialy proposed for examination in 2022
arrow_circle_right 45COM (2023)
Exports
Previous 2021

* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.


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