World Heritage Committee praises Old Cairo progress

CAIRO – 18 August 2017: The World Heritage Committee's (WHC) 41st annual report held July in Poland, praised the restoration progress being carried out in the Old Cairo region and credited the Egypt government for its serious, dedicated work in preserving its rich historical heritage, Mohamed Abdel Aziz, General Director of the Historic Cairo Rehabilitation and Development Project announced in a released statement.

Aziz further added that the WHC's report particularly praised the 2014 initiatives to ensure the proper long and short term measures that address Old Cairo's most pressing issues, such as any socio-economic concerns and ensuring maintenance of the urban landscape.

He also explained that immediate measures would include the revival of important conservation projects and the careful demolition of certain specific areas, as well as raising awareness of the restoration process in the public.

Aziz's statement brought up plans to begin a major Urban Regeneration of Historic Cairo Project (URHC), which would be supervised by the watchful eye of the Ministry of Antiquities. This project would encompass urban, cultural, economic and social goals to breathe new life into Old Cairo's buildings, and a one year program would be set into place that would involve studies leading to the formation of a major plan of attack.

This plan is open to proposals for a new management structure for a legally appointed body that would help get the URHC project off the ground. Aziz further added that the WHC recommended the state give priority to the URHC project.

The Ministry of Antiquities as confirmed by Aziz will be issuing a future update report on the status of the Old Cairo conservation efforts by 2019, to be submitted for review by the WHC's 43rd report then.