Decision 44 COM 7A.5

Abu Mena (Egypt) (C 90)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/21/44.COM/7A
2. Recalling Decision 43 COM 7A.17, adopted at its 43rd session (Baku, 2019),
3. Welcomes the ongoing efforts of the State Party to improve the conservation conditions of the property, in particular through the Groundwater Level Reduction Project and the new Sustainable Development Plan, and requests the State Party to submit the Restoration and Conservation Plan to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies;
4. Expresses concern that the State Party has not reported on recent conditions of the archaeological remains or current conservation work, and urges the State Party to closely monitor conditions while changes are being made to the water levels, with prompt intervention, where necessary, in particular ensuring protection of the Mar Mena Tomb;
5. Also urges the State Party to complete all necessary corrective measures to protect and conserve the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) in order to reach the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) adopted in 2007, also in light of the recommendations of the 2012 Reactive Monitoring mission and the 2018 Advisory mission;
6. Also requests the State Party to elaborate as soon as possible the Management Plan, as well as the Sustainable Development Plan, including consideration of an appropriate visitor strategy which supports the property’s OUV and its role as a place of pilgrimage, while also tying into sustainable development objectives and including community participation;
7. Reminds the State Party of its obligations to submit to the World Heritage Centre, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, details of all on-going or planned projects, including restoration and rehabilitation of the property, as well as any new envisaged construction, for review by the Advisory Bodies prior to implementation;
8. Notes the information provided on the clarification of property’s new boundaries and further requests the State Party to finalize this process and to submit a minor boundary modification, according to paragraphs 163-165 of the Operational Guidelines, to the World Heritage Centre;
9. Requests furthermore the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, to finalize the draft Retrospective Statement of OUV, which is needed to inform all the plans and strategies being developed for the property;
10. Finally 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;
11. Decides to retain Abu Mena (Egypt) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.