Three sites on the African continent removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger

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, Uganda and Senegal have also been removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger.

 

Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar)

The Rainforests of the Atsinanana were inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 2007 for its important biodiversity. The Rainforests and the species they support have faced a series of threats in recent years including illegal logging, trafficking of precious woods and deforestation negatively affecting the status of important key species such as Lemurs – leading to its inclusion on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2010.

Following this decision, Madagascar developed and implemented an ambitious action plan with the support of UNESCO and the international community. Thanks to robust management plans, control of ebony and rosewood felling, satellite surveillance and local patrols, the overall condition of the site was improved. As a result, 63% of areas of forest cover loss have been restored, illegal logging and trafficking of precious wood have been halted, and levels of lemur poaching have reached their lowest level in 10 years.

 

Abu Mena (Egypt)

Abu Mena was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979 serving as an outstanding example of a pilgrimage site, cradle of Christian monasticism. The site was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2001 following concerns due to alarming rises in the water table caused by irrigation methods of surrounding farms and the collapse of several overlying structures.

In 2021, an ambitious drainage and pumping system significantly reduced groundwater levels, reducing threats to stabilized the archaeological structures.The conservation plan, developed in 2024 with the support of UNESCO’s World Heritage Fund, has enabled the establishment of appropriate strategies and greater involvement of local communities.

 

Old Town of Ghadamès (Libya)

The Old Town of Ghadamès was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986 and has been a crossroads for major cultures of Africa and the Mediterranean basin. The site has been on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 2016 due to the prevailing conflict in the country at that time, wildfires and torrential rain.

Led by local authorities and several partners, extensive restoration works have been carried out on the property, including repairs to historic buildings, pipelines and traditional infrastructure. These activities were accompanied by efforts to strengthen local skills and governance through various training courses, as well as the development of a risk management and prevention plan.

 

The List of World Heritage in Danger

The purpose of the List of World Heritage in Danger is to provide information on the threats to the very values that led to the inclusion of a property on the World Heritage List, and to mobilize the international community to preserve the site. It also enables the site to benefit from the right to increased technical and financial support from UNESCO.