Decision 46 COM 7A.23

Old Town of Ghadamès (Libya) (C 362bis)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 45 COM 7A.36 adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
3. Commends the important efforts made by the State Party in undertaking activities for the conservation of the property and its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), particularly those directed towards the implementation of corrective measures for the achievement of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), as adopted by the Committee, and requests the State Party to continue its efforts in this regard;
4. Notes with appreciation the finalization of a Management Plan for the property, with a Risk Preparedness Plan, taking into consideration the recommendations of ICOMOS’ technical review, as well as incorporating action for the sustainability of green areas within the property and its buffer zone, and also requests the State Party to provide more information about the implementation of these projects in terms of available resources, timeframe and progress achieved;
5. Also notes with appreciation the amendment of land use regulations within the boundaries of the Old Town of Ghadames, to integrate the modified boundaries of the property and its buffer zone;
6. Welcomes the completion of the fully rehabilitated Visitor Centre and capacity-building activities and further requests the State Party to keep the World Heritage Centre informed about the progress in this regard;
7. Further notes with appreciation the investigations undertaken by the State Party in response to the infestation by green scale insects in the palm groves, and requests furthermore the State Party to implement and monitor the proposed remedial actions and to provide further information about their efficacy;
8. Acknowledges the request by the State Party to extend the timeframe for the implementation of corrective measures and adopts a revised timeframe with a two-year extension;
9. Requests moreover that the invited joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission be carried out as soon as conditions permit in order to assess the overall state of conservation of the property and progress made in implementing corrective measures;
10. Requests the State Party to regularly inform the Committee on the evolution of the situation at the property, the implementation of corrective measures, and 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;
11. 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, to implement the corrective measures that have been identified;
12. 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;
13. Decides to retain Old Town of Ghadamès (Libya) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.