Egypt Achieves Major Heritage Milestone: Abu Mena Removed from UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger
In a landmark achievement for Egypt’s cultural preservation efforts, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially removed the Abu Mena archaeological site in Borg El Arab, Alexandria, from the World Heritage in Danger List, following significant restoration and conservation measures undertaken by the Egyptian state.
The decision was adopted during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee currently taking place at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
It comes after a comprehensive review of the 2025 Joint Reactive Monitoring Mission report by the World Heritage Centre and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which commended Egypt’s successful implementation of all corrective actions and confirmed that the site had achieved the Desired State of Conservation for Removal (DSOCR).
A National Effort Rooted in Collaboration
H.E. Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, hailed the announcement as a “significant national achievement”, highlighting the years-long efforts to restore and safeguard the historic site.
He praised the constructive cooperation between government institutions and the Coptic Orthodox Church, stating that this synergy reflects “a genuine national will to protect Egypt’s rich and diverse heritage.”
The Minister also extended his gratitude to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St.
Mark, for his unwavering support and the vital role of the Church in preserving this unique spiritual and archaeological landmark.
Innovation in Conservation: Water Control at the Core
Among the most notable achievements cited in the UNESCO report was the installation of a specialized groundwater monitoring and control system.
This system—crucial to reversing the site’s long-standing degradation—proved its effectiveness through systematic and continuous measurement, successfully addressing one of the site’s most serious threats.
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasized that the committee’s decision is an international endorsement of Egypt’s commitment to heritage preservation.
He underscored the success of:
Reinforcement of archaeological structures
Implementation of a cutting-edge groundwater management system
Comprehensive site restoration
Dr. Khaled also reaffirmed Egypt’s ongoing commitment to the long-term sustainability of the site, including periodic updates to the conservation plan, allocation of resources, and transparent communication with UNESCO.
Heritage of Exceptional Value
Dr. Gamal Mostafa, Head of the Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Sector, shed light on the historical and religious importance of Abu Mena.
Once the second most important Christian pilgrimage site after Jerusalem, the site was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.
Key features include:
The well believed to house the tomb of Saint Menas
The Great Basilica
The Pilgrims’ Courtyard
These structures collectively underscore the site’s spiritual depth and architectural grandeur.
From Crisis to Conservation
The deterioration of the site was triggered by agricultural land reclamation and traditional irrigation methods in surrounding areas, which led to a dangerous rise in groundwater levels. This prompted UNESCO to place Abu Mena on the endangered list in 2001.
In response, the Egyptian government launched a comprehensive conservation initiative in 2019, following detailed technical assessments.
The groundwater management system began trial operations in November 2021, with full-scale implementation inaugurated in 2022 by then-Minister Dr. Khaled El-Enany.
In parallel, restoration of key architectural elements was carried out to meet international conservation criteria.
A Global Model for Heritage Protection
Egypt’s successful restoration of Abu Mena sets a powerful example of how heritage sites can be rescued from environmental threats through science, collaboration, and national dedication.
The project serves as a model for cultural preservation efforts worldwide, reaffirming Egypt’s leading role in safeguarding humanity’s shared heritage.
