by AHMED MOOLLA
CAIRO – THE United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has removed three properties located in Egypt, Libya and Madagascar from the List of World Heritage in Danger.
These removals are the result of efforts by states parties, with UNESCO’s support, to significantly reduce threats to these sites.
Those removed are Abu Mena (Egypt), Old Town of Ghadamès (Libya) and Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar).
“When sites are removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger, it is a great victory for all – the countries and communities directly concerned, for UNESCO and, more broadly, for the shared heritage of humanity,” said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.
“We are pursuing a special effort for Africa, both to train experts and facilitate new inscriptions, and to support strategies to bring some sites out of danger. These efforts are paying off today.”
In recent years, UNESCO has made considerable and targeted efforts to support its African Member States.
Since 2021, three sites in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda and Senegal have also been removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger.
With 194 Member States, UNESCO contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information.
– CAJ News