Decision 45 COM 7B.135

Kasbah of Algiers (Algeria) (C 565)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/23/45.COM/7B,
2. Recalling Decision 44 COM 7B.123 adopted at its extended 44th session (Fuzhou/online, 2021),
3. Taking note of the activities carried out by the State Party for the safeguarding, conservation and enhancement of the tangible and intangible heritage of the property and the socio-economic revitalization of its urban fabric, as well as for the involvement of civil society and youth in particular, congratulates the State Party on the progress made in the preservation of the property by taking into account the social, economic and tourism dimensions of the safeguarding of the property and encourages it to continue its efforts;
4. Notes with satisfaction the initiative for intersectoral consultation and the dialogue established with citizens' associations and the inhabitants of the Kasbah, and also encourages the State Party to maintain an integrated coordination mechanism through the operational establishment of the structure placed under the aegis of the Prime Ministry;
5. Continues nevertheless to express its concern at the identification of 18 additional buildings in an advanced state of deterioration, and at the results of the expert assessment of nearly 70% of the properties, which show that 48% of them are in a worrying state of deterioration, and urges the State Party to continue its efforts to assess the entire urban fabric of the property and to continue to take the necessary measures to halt its progressive deterioration;
6. Welcomes the proposed revision of the Permanent Plan for the Safeguarding and Valorization of the Safeguarded Sectors (PPSMVSS), in order to establish regulatory provisions reflecting the current state of conservation, as well as the activities that have enabled civil society to be involved in its implementation, and invites the State Party to submit its revised version to the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies for their opinion;
7. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 December 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 47th session.