Old Town of Ghadamès

• Conflict situation prevailing in the country
• Water (Torrential rains)
• Fire (Wildfires)
• Human resources
• Financial resources
• Management system/management plan

Conflict situation prevailing in the country

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7649

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7649

Adopted, see page https://whc.unesco.org/en/decisions/7649

June 2020: Netherlands Funds in Trust: USD 49,620 for Strengthening national capacities for the elaboration of corrective measures for Libyan World Heritage properties

On 30 January 2024, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, the executive summary of which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/362/documents/documents/. Progress in a number of conservation issues addressed by the Committee at its previous sessions, is presented in this report, as follows:

• A committee involving institutional stakeholders held a meeting in December 2023, to ensure clarity of mandates and tasks for implementing land use regulations within the property and buffer zone;
• The Management Plan has been reviewed and finalized, in accordance with the adopted retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV), Minor Boundary Modification, and Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR). It has been submitted with a Risk Preparedness Plan;
• Annual budgets for 2007-2024 have been provided. The revised budget for 2024 is higher than in previous years, comprising allocations for implementing six projects. In 2023, no capital budget was approved, though the operational budget was higher than that of 2022, which enhanced maintenance works;
• Maintenance and monitoring efforts continue. The effects of the 2019 fire have been removed, conservation works at sites affected by rain in 2017 have been completed, while works for those affected by rain in 2019 has reached only 20% completion due to not having an approved capital budget between 2021 and 2023. Nevertheless, the situation does not pose any danger to individuals nor to the property;
• The Alaally building has been fully rehabilitated as a Visitor Centre, in collaboration with the ‘Managing Libya’s Cultural Heritage (MaLiCH)’ project, funded by the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH);
• Training workshops and cultural activities were conducted to enhance preservation efforts and promote the property;
• Widespread presence of green scale insects on palm leaves prompted immediate action. The situation was assessed revealing moderate to light infestation. Recommendations given include providing guidance to farmers, activating internal agricultural quarantine, and conducting spraying campaigns. Awaiting further steps from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, updates will be provided on progress and necessary procedures;
• Concerns are raised regarding the impact of climate change, with high temperatures (45-48°C) and unusual heavy rains, raising fears of potential severe damage.

The State Party has clarified that due to the absence of capital budget during the past two years, it has not been able to achieve the DSOCR, and hence, an extension of two years is needed. It also reiterated its request for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, confirming that no security violations have been reported in the area since 2011.

The efforts of the State Party and its commitment to ensure the protection of the property are commendable, despite funding constraints in the past two years.

The actions taken following the Committee’s previous requests in terms of revision and finalization of the Management Plan, with a Risk Preparedness Plan, are welcomed. These documents have been reviewed by ICOMOS, which provides some advice to the State Party on further strengthening the Management Plan.

Projects focusing on the irrigation system, which is crucial for the property’s maintenance and is one of the identified corrective measures, are presented in the Management Plan. They represent actions pertaining to ‘revival and sustainability of the green area within the property and the buffer zone’, reflecting a good insight into the requirements. It is recommended that more information is provided about the implementation of these projects in terms of available resources, timeframe and progress achieved.

The estimated budgetary increase for 2024, with a capital budget allocation, is positive. The challenges in implementing corrective measures related to repair of damage to the built fabric are recognized, and it is hoped that works will accelerate in 2024. The State Party has submitted a request for International Assistance in December 2023 to support conservation work at the property. It is recommended that the Committee encourage the State Party to consult with the World Heritage Centre to develop the International Assistance request for its submission by the statutory deadline of 31 October 2024.

The rehabilitation of the Alaally Building into a Visitor Centre is a commendable undertaking, and the planned activities are anticipated to substantially contribute to the ongoing conservation, presentation and awareness raising efforts.

Valid concerns have been raised regarding infestation by green scale insects, threatening the palm groves, a main attribute of the property’s OUV. It is recommended that the Committee request the State Party to monitor the implementation of its proposed remedial actions and provide further information about their efficacy.

The State Party has substantially progressed in the execution of corrective measures, and has recognized the need for the extension of the timeframe for implementation to complete conservation work at damaged buildings. It is recommended that the Committee acknowledge the request and adopt a new timeframe with an extension of two years (until December 2025).

The pending joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission remains essential, to be carried out once conditions permit, with the purpose of assessing the overall state of conservation of the property and progress made in implementing corrective measures.

In the meantime, it is crucial that the State Party regularly informs 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.

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 and implement risk prevention.