Decision 46 COM 7A.20

Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Libya) (C 190)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 45 COM 7A.33 adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
3. Notes with appreciation the cancellation of the Cyrene Grand Hotel project and requests the State Party to keep the Committee informed through the World Heritage Centre on any ongoing and future plans for major restoration or new construction projects that may affect the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property, in conformity with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
4. Expresses serious concerns about the damage inflicted to the property as a result of inundation caused by Storm Daniel, takes note of the assessment carried out by the State Party in collaboration with the Italian archaeological missions, welcomes the efforts of the State Party in implementing conservation and protection measures, including those in response to the impact of flooding on the property, and urges the State Party to continue these efforts in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, including concerning the choice of restoration materials and techniques planned at the property before their implementation;
5. Also welcomes the efforts undertaken to decontaminate Wadi Belghader and the Spring of Apollo, as well as the temporary diversion of sewage piping away from the property, and also requests the State Party to seek a permanent solution in this regard;
6. Also takes note with appreciation of the UNESCO mission of November 2023 following the occurrence of Storm Daniel, and its findings, as well as actions outlined for the short and medium-term;
7. Further requests the State Party to pursue the development of a conservation strategy reflecting the priority areas that have been identified, including:
   1. Urgent assessment and stabilisation studies for exposed or weakened foundations and structures,
   2. Comprehensive study tackling the stability and stabilisation of the rock escarpment in the lower north-west area of the property,
   3. Geotechnical and soil studies to address issues of soil erosion,
   4. Studies for a comprehensive water drainage solution,
   5. Disaster risk management with an early warning system;
8. Strongly encourages the State Party to pursue the development of a Management Plan for the property as a priority and invites it to seek the necessary technical and financial support;
9. Urges the State Party, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and Advisory Bodies, to develop a draft retrospective Statement of OUV for examination by the World Heritage Committee;
10. Also urges the State Party to initiate the process to develop 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;
11. Further reiterates its request to the State Party to continue the close consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies for the elaboration of a Minor Boundary Modification proposal, and to submit it in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines;
12. Requests furthermore that the invited joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to the property take place as soon as conditions permit;
13. Continues to call for an increased mobilization by the international community to provide financial and technical support to the State Party – including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund – for urgent conservation actions, as well as for medium-term planning as outlined in the UNESCO mission recommended action plan;
14. Reiterates its appeal to all States Parties to cooperate in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property from Libya, as per the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347 of March 2017, and the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property;
15. 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;
16. Decides to retain Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Libya) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.