The Ministry of Antiquities has approved modified boundaries for the property with the aim of maintaining and preserving it. The changes involve removal of two triangular areas, across a canal, neither of which contain archaeological remains and both of which are under cultivation. The area removed is approximately 4.5% of the property area. There is a suggestion that these excisions may facilitate construction of a boundary wall, which would discourage encroachments. No proposal has been made regarding the buffer zone for the property and no formal boundary modification request has been lodged.
The property has been on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 2001; corrective measures were identified in 2006, the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) was determined in 2007 and, in the same year, the State Party was requested to implement the corrective measures by 2010. Since then, the attributes, which contribute to the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property have deteriorated, notwithstanding some remedial actions. The corrective measures have not been completed and the property has not yet achieved the DSOCR.
The Committee has been requesting the completion of a Management Plan for the property for more than a decade. The Management Plan presented most recently is a schedule of activities and projects, but does not include basic requirements for a Management Plan for a World Heritage property, such as management structure, resources, statutes, research, presentation and interpretation, or the role of stakeholders. Similarly, while the preparation of a Conservation Plan for part of the Great Basilica is welcome, what is actually required is a comprehensive Conservation Plan, which addresses all of the significant components of the property. The conservation and capacity-building plan being prepared by the Projects Sector of Ministry of Antiquities may address some of these requirements, but is currently lacking funding for implementation.
The removal of encroachments (which had occurred in 2016) is welcome, but inappropriate new constructions, which are inconsistent with OUV, remain within the property.
The ‘Efficiency-Raising and Maintenance of the Groundwater Lowering’ is on the one hand a positive step in addressing a longstanding and substantial threat to the OUV of the property, but also of concern in light of the previously identified unintended damage arising from changes to the water table (Decision 37 COM 7A.23). The need for mitigation measures for the archaeological remains once the water table has been lowered and stabilized (Decision 40 COM 7A.9) and the findings of the 2012 Reactive Monitoring mission that electrical pumping was unsustainable in the long term, and that associated analysis of ways to address the underlying causes of the rising water table are required. This matter should be addressed by the forthcoming Advisory mission.
The proposed visitor centre project should be subject to a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) prepared in accordance with the ICOMOS Guidance on Heritage Impact Assessments for Cultural World Heritage properties, and submitted to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies.
The State Party has not yet submitted details of all on-going or planned restoration interventions at the property, particularly those at the Great Basilica, the reburial strategy, or initiatives arising from the project for restoration and rehabilitation of the property prepared by the Ministry of Antiquities and the Abu Mena Monastery administration, for review prior to implementation, including HIAs, as requested in Decision 40 COM 7A.9.
The State Party should determine an appropriate buffer zone and formally submit a revised modification of the boundaries of both the property and buffer zone, in accordance with Paragraphs 163-165 of the Operational Guidelines.