Decision 46 COM 7A.21

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

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 45 COM 7A.34 adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
3. Regrets that the State Party did not submit its report on the state of conservation of the property, as requested by the Committee at its extended 45th session, and expresses concern about the absence of relevant updated information;
4. Urges the State Party to continue its efforts for the conservation of the property and its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) to the extent possible and to seek the necessary funds as needed;
5. Strongly 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;
6. Reiterates its concern about the alarming state of conservation of the Hunting Baths and its request to 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 implementation;
7. Reiterates its concern about the issue of tidal flooding and continuous sea encroachment on the circus area and its request to 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;
8. Continues to encourage 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;
9. Further reiterates its request to the State Party to continue, in close consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, the elaboration of a Minor Boundary Modification proposal, and to submit it in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines;
10. Reiterates furthermore its 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. Recalling the previous invitation by the State Party for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to the property to evaluate its state of conservation, encourages the mission to take place as soon as 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 2025, 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 47th session;
14. Decides to retain Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Libya) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.