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Al-Ahram Weekly
16-07-2025
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt welcomes Abu Mena Monastery removal from UNESCO List of World Heritage in Danger - Tourism
Egypt welcomed UNESCO's decision to remove Abu Mena Monastery from the List of World Heritage in Danger, describing it as a new milestone that underscores the country's commitment to safeguarding its cultural heritage according to international standards, a cabinet statement said Wednesday. Related Reviving a sacred legacy The decision regarding Abu Mena Monastery in Borg El Arab, southwest of Alexandria, was taken during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, held on 6-16 July at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, a recent statement by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities read. The 2025 Joint Reactive Monitoring Mission report by the World Heritage Centre and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) praised Egypt's efforts to implement previously recommended corrective measures, confirming that the Desired State of Conservation for Removal (DSOCR) had been fully achieved. According to UNESCO, the DSOCR is a clearly defined condition that a World Heritage property on the List of World Heritage in Danger must reach to demonstrate it is no longer under serious and specific threat. The report also highlighted significant progress in the site's conservation, especially the installation of a sophisticated groundwater monitoring and control system, proven effective through continuous measurements. Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1979 for its religious and architectural value, Abu Mena had been placed on the endangered list in 2001 due to rising groundwater levels that threatened the integrity of its centuries-old structures. The site also includes a well, a Great Basilica, and a pilgrims' courtyard — each bearing witness to its religious and architectural significance. National cooperation Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy expressed satisfaction with this achievement, commending the extensive efforts to lower the groundwater levels and restore archaeological elements, the statement indicated. He credited the success to the coordinated work between state institutions, the Coptic Orthodox Church, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressing that this reflects Cairo's commitment to heritage preservation. He also thanked Pope Tawadros II for his support and the church's contributions. The conservation initiative, launched in 2019, saw the groundwater management system begin trial operations in late 2021 before being inaugurated in 2022 by then-minister Khaled El-Enany. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Watani
12-07-2025
- General
- Watani
Abu-Mina site removed from World Heritage in Danger
The World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), has removed Abu-Mina archeological site, southwest Alexandria, from its list of world heritage sites in danger, following more than 20 years of the site on that list. The decision was taken during the 47th session of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee in Paris in July 2025. The Committee's report commended the efforts made by the Egyptian government in implementing all the recommendations required to remove the site from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), noting that the requirements had been fully realised. The decision came upon the committee's review of the projects completed for protection and preservation of the site. Remarkable progress was made in the establishment of an effective monitoring and control system of groundwater, the restoration of archeological ruins, the building of a wall to protect the site, and upgrading the facilities and services necessary for the site to be a cultural, religious and tourist destination . Lieutenant General Ahmed Khaled Hassan Said, Governor of Alexandria, congratulated the Egypt and its various institutions: the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Supreme Council of Antiquities, the Coptic Orthodox Church, and all the entities that contributed to this achievement, stressing that this success reflected the State's keenness to protect heritage and historical sites. For its part, the Coptic Orthodox Church welcomed UNESCO's decision, and thanked all who had worked hard over the past years to save the site, stressing that Abu-Mina is one of the most important Christian shrines in Egypt and the world, and occupies a special place in the hearts of the Copts, as it is associated with the name of one of the most famous and beloved martyrs in the history of the church. Abu-Mina site, which has been included on the World Heritage List since 1979, was placed on the list of threatened sites in 2001 owing to decline caused by groundwater leakage. For full story of Abu-Mona site: How Mar-Mina's Marble City was discovered… A gripping story Saving Mar-Mina's splendid place Comments comments
