Landmark Decision at 47th WHC – July 9, 2025

At the 47ᵗʰ session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee in Paris, three African sites—the Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar), Abu Mena (Egypt), and Old Town of Ghadamès (Libya)—were officially removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Why It Matters

Removal signals successful threat mitigation, restoration, and conservation. It also provides these sites access to technical and financial support, and marks a triumph for shared global heritage 1.

Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar)

• Inscription: 2007, due to rich biodiversity.
• Danger listing: 2010, caused by illegal logging, rosewood trafficking, and the threat to lemur populations.
• Recovery efforts: satellite monitoring, patrols, and timber controls led to restoration of 63 % forest loss, halted trafficking, and record-low poaching 2.

Abu Mena (Egypt)

• Significance: Christian pilgrimage site; inscribed 1979.
• Danger listing: 2001, due to rising water table from nearby irrigation and resulting structural collapse.
• Interventions: solar-powered drainage since 2021, reinforced in 2024 via local community engagement and UNESCO funding 3.

Old Town of Ghadamès (Libya)

• Recognized: 1986, for its Mediterranean–African cultural blend.
• Danger listing: 2016, due to conflict, wildfires, and flooding.
• Conservation: local-led restoration of buildings, pipelines, risk-prevention training, and governance improvements 4.

UNESCO’s Strategy & African Gains

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay praised these removals as “great victories” and emphasized special efforts in Africa—building expertise, securing new inscriptions, and elevating conservation strategies. Since 2021, six African sites have been delisted from danger 5.

Trivia & Quiz Insights

• Years inscribed: Atsinanana – 2007; Abu Mena – 1979; Ghadamès – 1986.
• Danger listing years: 2010, 2001, 2016 respectively.
• Forest recovery: 63 % of forest loss restored in Madagascar.
• Innovation: Solar-powered drainage saved Abu Mena.
• Training: Local governance & risk management key in Libya.

Conclusion

The delisting of these three African heritage sites reflects the power of international teamwork, technical innovation, and sustained stewardship. It highlights how, with targeted strategies and community involvement, even severely threatened sites can thrive again and stand as testaments to human resilience and cultural richness.

Source: Theprint