UNESCO Commends Algeria’s Preservation of Tipasa World Heritage Site, Endorses 2025–2030 Management Plan
By Dr. Hana Saada
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has commended Algeria’s sustained efforts to preserve the archaeological site of Tipasa, endorsing its 2025–2030 management plan while recognizing progress in conservation, documentation and site protection measures. The decision reinforces the international recognition of one of North Africa’s most significant archaeological landscapes and highlights Algeria’s commitment to safeguarding its cultural heritage.
ALGIERS — UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has praised Algeria’s efforts to preserve and manage the archaeological site of Tipasa, reaffirming the site’s Outstanding Universal Value and endorsing the country’s 2025–2030 management plan during the Committee’s 48th session held in Busan, Republic of Korea.
In a statement, Algeria’s Ministry of Culture and Arts welcomed the Committee’s unanimous adoption of Decision 48 COM 7B.25, concerning the state of conservation of the archaeological site, describing it as an important international recognition of Algeria’s ongoing commitment to protecting one of the country’s most valuable cultural landmarks.
Inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1982, Tipasa is one of the Mediterranean’s most remarkable archaeological ensembles, preserving the remains of an ancient Phoenician trading post that later flourished under Roman rule. Overlooking the Mediterranean coast approximately 70 kilometres west of Algiers, the site brings together Roman public buildings, theatres, temples, basilicas, villas, cemeteries and fortifications alongside earlier Punic remains and nearby indigenous royal monuments, illustrating centuries of cultural interaction across North Africa.
UNESCO welcomed the preparation and implementation of Algeria’s management plan covering the 2025–2030 period, considering it a fundamental step toward ensuring the effective, sustainable management of the site and preserving its Outstanding Universal Value together with its historical authenticity and integrity.
The Committee also acknowledged the progress achieved in documentation, conservation works and regular monitoring, in addition to extensive site-cleaning campaigns carried out with the support of local authorities and civil society organisations to improve preservation conditions.
Among the measures specifically highlighted by UNESCO were the installation of protective security fencing around the archaeological parks and the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania—also known as the Tomb of the Christian Woman—one of Algeria’s most iconic pre-Roman monuments. The Committee further welcomed the launch of advanced technical studies for the rehabilitation of the historic Villa Angelevy, an important component of the wider heritage landscape.
Constructed during the late first century BCE, the Royal Mausoleum of Mauretania is widely believed to have served as the burial monument of King Juba II and Queen Cleopatra Selene II, daughter of Cleopatra VII of Egypt and Mark Antony. Rising approximately 33 metres above the surrounding plain, the circular stone mausoleum remains one of the largest and best-preserved royal funerary monuments of the ancient Maghreb and constitutes an integral part of the World Heritage property’s cultural significance.
The Ministry of Culture and Arts reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment to implementing all technical recommendations adopted by the Committee, including the modernization of site lighting systems and the review of development plans for the nearby port project to ensure full compliance with international heritage conservation standards and to preserve the archaeological landscape.
Future commitments also include strengthening the site’s marine protection through the expansion of the maritime buffer zone based on underwater archaeological studies, completing studies on rainwater management and securing the financial resources required to implement technical solutions designed to safeguard the archaeological remains from environmental risks.
In accordance with the Committee’s decision, Algeria is expected to submit an updated state of conservation report to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre before 1 December 2028, detailing progress made in implementing the Committee’s recommendations.
The Ministry stressed that protecting Algeria’s cultural heritage remains a national priority, describing the country’s archaeological monuments as an essential component of its historical identity and a testament to the depth and richness of Algeria’s ancient civilisation.
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