World Heritage Watch Urges UNESCO to Designate St. Catherine's Monastery as ‘In Danger’ Site

A look at the Great Transfiguration Project, a "grand initiative set to transform the captivating mountainous landscapes of St. Catherine city in South Sinai." Photo: Egypt Today

SINAI — World Heritage Watch (WHW) has issued an urgent appeal to UNESCO, demanding that the Saint Catherine Area in Egypt be placed on the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger, according to reporting from the Orthodox Times. In an open letter to the World Heritage Committee ahead of its annual session this week, WHW warns that unchecked tourism development and Egypt’s continued disregard for its obligations under the World Heritage Convention are placing one of the world’s most sacred and historically significant religious sites at grave risk.

The group, which has published detailed reports supported by photographic evidence, accuses the Egyptian government of turning the sacred landscape surrounding the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. Catherine into a tourism hub, undermining its Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and spiritual atmosphere. 

“Egypt has continued to provide misleading, inconsistent or incomplete information to UNESCO,” said WHW Chair Stephan Doempke. “And it is time now that UNESCO is very clear that they are running out of patience.”

WHW also highlighted a potential conflict of interest, noting Egypt’s current nomination of former Tourism and Antiquities Minister Khaled El-Enany for the post of UNESCO Director-General, despite the country’s record of non-compliance with World Heritage protections.

In its appeal, WHW calls for the World Heritage Committee to:

1. Reaffirm the Greek Orthodox Church’s ownership of the monastery and its lands;
2. Validate independent findings that the site is threatened by multiple adverse factors;
3. Mandate a joint UNESCO/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring Mission within three months;
4. Consider formally listing the site as “In Danger” if the mission confirms serious threats or if it fails to occur within the proposed time frame.

The group emphasizes that urgent and decisive action is needed to protect the serenity and sacred character of the Saint Catherine landscape and ensure the continued spiritual retreat of the monastic community.

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