UNESCO Removes Three African World Heritage Sites from Danger List Following Major Conservation Wins.
International
On July 9, 2025, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, during its 47th session in Paris, officially removed three African sites from its renowned List of World Heritage in Danger—a significant milestone in global heritage conservation efforts.
- Inscribed in 2007 for its rich biodiversity, including rare lemur species, this rainforest was placed on the danger list in 2010 due to rampant illegal logging, trafficking of precious woods, and forest cover loss. With supported programs involving satellite forest monitoring, anti-poaching patrols, and sustainable timber regulation, Madagascar has restored 63% of lost forest cover, halted major logging, and substantially reduced lemur poaching.
- This ancient Christian pilgrimage site, inscribed in 1979, was endangered from 2001 by rising groundwater caused by surrounding irrigation, leading to structural collapses. A solar‑powered drainage system installed in 2021, coupled with a comprehensive conservation plan in 2024, effectively lowered water levels, prevented further ruin, and strengthened structural integrity.
Main Point :- (i) World Heritage Site since 1986, Ghadamès had been on the endangered list since 2016 due to civil conflict, wildfires, and destructive rains. Restoration efforts—including building repairs, pipeline rehabilitation, and infrastructure reinforcement—along with local community training and risk‑management initiatives, have now stabilized the site.
(ii) UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay declared these removals a "great victory" for heritage preservation, highlighting UNESCO’s strategic focus on Africa: training experts, supporting new heritage inscriptions, and raising endangered site rescue efforts. Since 2021, four other African sites (in DRC, Uganda, Senegal) have also been successfully delisted.
(iii) This list serves as a crucial alert to mobilize international technical and financial support, guiding restoration and monitoring efforts. Sites that overcome identified threats are eligible for enhanced funding, as demonstrated by these successful conservation initiatives.
About UNESCO
Director-General: Audrey Azoulay
Headquarters: Paris, France
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