Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna
Factors affecting the property in 2024*
- Desertification
- Illegal activities
- Localised utilities
- Relative humidity
- War
- Other Threats:
Deterioration of the stone masonry; Sand covering certain areas of the property; Graffiti and fires; Alarming state of conservation of the Hunting Baths; Tidal flooding and continuous sea encroachment on the circus area
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Illegal Activities
- Desertification
- Flooding (tidal flooding and continuous sea encroachment on the circus area)
- Conflict situation
- Deterioration of the stone masonry
- Sand covering certain areas of the property
- Graffiti and fires
- Localised utilities: discharge of domestic wastewater at the west of the property (issue resolved)
- Relative humidity (deterioration of monuments/alarming state of conservation of the Hunting Baths)
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
In progress
Corrective Measures for the property
In progress
Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures
In progress
UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2024
Total amount granted: USD 24,543 for the European Project “Protecting Cultural Heritage and Diversity in Complex Emergencies for Stability and Peace”.
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 2024
Total amount approved : 45,500 USD
| 1990 | Mission to find solutions for the protection of Leptis ... (Approved) | 17,500 USD |
| 1989 | Purchase of equipment to clear Leptis Magna site (Approved) | 8,000 USD |
| 1988 | Purchase of equipment to clear Leptis Magna site after ... (Approved) | 20,000 USD |
Missions to the property until 2024**
1988: UNESCO mission; March 2003: World Heritage Centre mission; May 2006: World Heritage Centre mission; January 2007: World Heritage Centre Reactive Monitoring mission
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2024
The State Party did not submit the state of conservation report, which was requested by the World Heritage Committee at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023). Nevertheless, the State Party has pursued the elaboration of a draft retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), in close consultation with the World Heritage Centre and ICOMOS. The finalized RSOUV is presented in Document WHC/24/46.COM/8E.
No recent information on the state of conservation of the property is available.Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2024
Regrettably, the State Party did not submit a report on the state of conservation of the property. Hence, it is recommended that the Committee reiterate its previous requests, given the absence of updated information, particularly with regard to pursuing efforts to conserve the property and its OUV.
It remains crucial that the State Party finalizes the development of the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) with a set of corrective measures, in collaboration with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies. Similarly, 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 the submission of a Minor Boundary Modification proposal, in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines.
The Committee had requested the State Party to pursue the development of a conservation strategy for the deteriorating state of the Hunting Baths, prepare proposals with mitigation measures to address tidal flooding and sea encroachment on the circus area and submit these to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies. It is recommended that the Committee also reiterate its request to the State Party to continue consulting with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies with regard to restoration materials and techniques planned to be used at the property, as well as technical proposals with mitigation measures to address the issue of tidal flooding.
Additionally, it remains crucial to develop a comprehensive Conservation Action Plan and a Management Plan, considering the pending conservation issues at the property. It is also important for the State Party to provide information, through the World Heritage Centre, on any future major restoration or construction projects that could impact the property’s OUV, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines.
It is also essential that the invited joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission, requested by the Committee at its previous sessions, be undertaken as soon as conditions permit, in order to evaluate the state of conservation of the property.
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 2024
46 COM 7A.21
Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Libya) (C 183)
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A,
- Recalling Decision 45 COM 7A.34 adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- Reiterates its concern about the alarming state of conservation of the Hunting Baths and its request to the State Party to:
- 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,
- Present the proposed conservation plan for the Hunting Baths to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies,
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- Decides to retain Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Libya) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
46 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/24/46.COM/7A, WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add, WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add.2, WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add.3 and WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add.4),
- Decides to retain the following 55 properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
- Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley
- Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam
- Austria, Historic Centre of Vienna
- Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí
- Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park
- Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve
- Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park
- Egypt, Abu Mena
- Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve
- Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra
- Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat)
- Iraq, Hatra
- Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City
- Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan)
- Kenya, Lake Turkana National Parks
- Lebanon, Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha
- Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès
- Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus
- Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana
- Mali, Old Towns of Djenné
- Mali, Timbuktu
- Mali, Tomb of Askia
- Mexico, Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California
- Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia
- Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves
- Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo
- Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone
- Romania, Roșia Montană Mining Landscape
- Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo
- Solomon Islands, East Rennell
- State of Palestine, Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town
- State of Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus
- Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria
- Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din
- Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra
- Ukraine, Kyiv: Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Related Monastic Buildings, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
- Ukraine, L’viv – the Ensemble of the Historic Centre
- Ukraine, The Historic Centre of Odesa
- United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve
- United States of America, Everglades National Park
- Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz
- Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port
- Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid
- Yemen, Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib
- Yemen, Old City of Sana’a
- Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam.
46 COM 8E
Adoption of Retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/8E,
- Commends the State Party for the work accomplished in the elaboration of the retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value;
- Adopts the retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, as presented in the Annex of Document WHC/24/46.COM/8E, for the following World Heritage property:
ARAB STATES
- Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna;
- Notes that retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value for World Heritage properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger will be reviewed in priority by the Advisory Bodies;
- Requests the World Heritage Centre to upload the two language versions of the above-mentioned retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value on its website.
Draft Decision: 46 COM 7A.21
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A,
- Recalling Decision 45 COM 7A.34, adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- Reiterates its concern about the alarming state of conservation of the Hunting Baths and its request to the State Party to:
- 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,
- Present the proposed conservation plan for the Hunting Baths to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies,
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- Decides to retain Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Libya) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Libya
Exports
* :
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.
