Old Town of Ghadamès
Factors affecting the property in 2023*
- War
- Water (rain/water table)
- Other Threats:
Fires
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Conflict situation prevailing in the country
- Torrential rains
- Fires
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
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7649
Corrective Measures for the property
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7649
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7649
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2023
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
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 2023**
January 1998: UNESCO mission; March 2003: World Heritage Centre mission
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2023
On 27 January 2022 and 28 February 2023, the State Party submitted state of conservation reports, the executive summaries of which are available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/362/documents/. Progress in a number of conservation issues addressed by the Committee at its previous sessions, and in the implementation of corrective measures adopted by the Committee towards the achievement of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) is presented, as follows:
- A Minor Boundary Modification proposal has been submitted by the State Party, addressing the comments provided by the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS during previous meetings, namely the inclusion of the palm tree groves within the boundaries of the property and the creation of a buffer zone;
- Restoration and maintenance works have been completed at all buildings within the property which were damaged by by the torrential rains of December 2017;
- With regard to addressing the damage caused to 6 buildings within the property by heavy rainfall in March 2019, documentation, planning, rehabilitation and recovery works have started and reached a 20% completion rate. In addition, following the fire of 2019, cleanup and rehabilitation works have been completed in the orchards of Mazigh Street, with the support of the local population;
- Progress on the implementation of other ongoing rehabilitation, restoration and maintenance projects within the property has been presented. The State Party also demonstrates efforts in adressing the issue of management of risks related to fires by the execution of a traditional firefighting system (water tanks) in the old town;
- Extensive cleaning, maintenance and monitoring works involving the city streets, squares, walls, water basins, street drainage, and irrigation canals have been regularly implemented within the perimeter of the property;
- The State Party is reviewing the draft Management Plan which has been previously submitted, taking into consideration the ICOMOS technical review, the adopted retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (RSOUV) and the newly proposed boundaries of the property with a buffer zone;
- Information concerning annual budgets allocated for the property since 2007 has been provided, showing a continued increase in the operational budget in 2021 and 2022, and in theestimate for 2023;
- Information concerning the status of human resources of the Ghadames City Promotion and Development Authority (GCPDA) within the site management mentions that there has been no change in the total number of permanent staff between 2013 and 2021, while an increase from 99 to 115 employees foreseen for 2022. Several training courses in various fields have been implemented, and cultural activities have been undertaken;
- Two Memoranda of Understanding were signed with ‘Managing Libya’s Cultural Heritage’ (MaLiCH) project, and with the Higher Institute of Science and Technology – Ghadames;
- A capacity building initiative was launched for 18 months targeting 8 employees of the site management team, funded by the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH Foundation). It is implemented in partnership with MaLiCH project, which is a collaboration between King’s College London, Nile Palace NGO, Department of Antiquities (DoA), and GCPDA. Due to the positive results of this programme, it was agreed to have practical applications within a pilot project at the ‘Alaally building’ within the property, comprising rehabilitation work and transforming the building into a Visitor Centre.
The State Party reiterates that the property is not facing any specific ascertained danger and requests its removal from the List of World Heritage in Danger and calls on the international community to provide more financial and technical support.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2023
The important efforts of the State Party aimed at the implementation of various initiatives contributing to conservation and protection of the property are commendable. The information provided shows that substantial efforts have been oriented towards the implementation of corrective measures and the achievement of the DSOCR.
As such, several corrective measures related to the provision of sufficient and stable funding are being addressed. The State Party reports that although no capital budgets were approved for the year 2022, the operational budget has well improved in comparison with that of 2021, in addition to an increase in the budget for salaries, which enhanced the maintenance work of the property. The State Party also reports that projected budget up to 2023 will help achieve the DSOCR.
The repair works following the damage caused by heavy rains in 2017 and 2019, in addition to other maintenance and rehabilitation works, are progressing and some of them have been completed. The maintenance and cleaning of the Ain-Al-Faras basin and the irrigation canals, which are important for the maintenance of the palm tree groves, must be followed by the full functionalization of the irrigation system and preparation of risk preparedness and emergency backup plans. Similarly, the execution of a traditional firefighting system (water tanks) in the old town must be accompanied by a fire preparedness strategy which is implemented on the ground by all stakeholders involved.
One of the identified corrective measures relates to determining a long-term strategy to protect, conserve and maintain the irrigation system along with an emergency back-up plan, with an expected completion date in June 2023 according to the DSOCR framework adopted by the Committee. The State Party has informed about the ongoing process of revising the Management Plan taking into account the recommendations of ICOMOS’ technical review. It is recommended that the Committee encourage the State Party to finalize the review as soon as possible, ensuring the inclusion of a risk preparedness plan as outlined in the DSOCR framework.
The capacity-building activities for the site management team are welcome, and the Committee may wish to request the State Party to keep it informed about the progress in this regard, including the implementation of the Visitor Centre project at the Alaally building.
The State Party also submitted a Minor Boundary Modification request, which will be examined by the World Heritage Committee under Item 8 of the agenda (Document WHC/23/45.COM/8B).
It is recommended that the joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS mission, requested by the Committee at its previous sessions and previously 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 regularly informs the Committee on the evolution of the situation at the property and any new measures undertaken to implement the corrective measures to ensure its protection and conservation, as well as 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.
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.
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.36
Old Town of Ghadamès (Libya) (C 362)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A,
- Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.14 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
- Commends the important efforts made by the State Party to mobilize partners and undertake 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 at its previous session, and requests the State Party to continue its efforts in this regard;
- Encourages the State Party to finalize the development of a management plan for the property, including a risk preparedness plan, taking into account the recommendations of ICOMOS’ technical review;
- Welcomes the ongoing capacity-building activities and also requests the State Party to keep the Committee informed about the progress in this regard, including the implementation of the Visitor Centre project at the Alaally building;
- Also welcomes the elaboration and submission of the Minor Boundary Modification proposal, following consultations with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;
- Notes with appreciation the invitation from the State Party for the joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS mission to be carried out as soon as conditions permit in order to assess the overall state of conservation of the property;
- Further requests the State Party to regularly inform the Committee on the evolution of the situation at the property and any new measures undertaken to implement the corrective measures, as well as 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;
- 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;
- Requests furthermore 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;
- Decides to retain Old Town of Ghadamès (Libya) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
45 COM 8B.59
Minor boundary modifications - Old Town of Ghadamès, Libya
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Documents WHC/23/45.COM/8B and WHC/23/45.COM/INF.8B1,
- Approves the minor modification to the boundary and to the buffer zone of the Old Town of Ghadamès, Libya;
- Recommends that the State Party give consideration to the following:
- Amending the Regulation for the land use within the boundaries of the Old Town of Ghadamès, “The Property and its buffer zone” to integrate the modified boundaries of the property and its buffer zone,
- Developing the announced special regulations for the property and its buffer zone based on the Law n.3/1994 and the Law on Urban Planning as a matter of urgency,
- Developing and adopting an agreement among all relevant institutional actors involved at different levels in the protection and management of the property to guarantee their participation in decision-making and to ensure clarity of mandates and tasks in implementing the management of the property.
45 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)
The World Heritage Committee,
- 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),
- 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)
- 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)
Draft Decision: 45 COM 7A.36
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7A,
- Recalling Decision 44 COM 7A.14 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/Online, 2021),
- Commends the important efforts made by the State Party to mobilize partners and undertake 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 at its previous session, and requests the State Party to continue its efforts in this regard;
- Encourages the State Party to finalize the development of a management plan for the property, including a risk preparedness plan, taking into account the recommendations of ICOMOS’ technical review;
- Welcomes the ongoing capacity-building activities and also requests the State Party to keep the Committee informed about the progress in this regard, including the implementation of the Visitor Centre project at the Alaally building;
- Also welcomes the elaboration and submission of the Minor Boundary Modification proposal, following consultations with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies;
- Notes with appreciation the invitation from the State Party for the joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS mission to be carried out as soon as conditions permit in order to assess the overall state of conservation of the property;
- Further requests the State Party to regularly inform the Committee on the evolution of the situation at the property and any new measures undertaken to implement the corrective measures, as well as 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;
- 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;
- Requests furthermore 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;
- Decides to retain Old Town of Ghadamès (Libya) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
LibyaExports
* :
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.
