The Lake Ohrid region has been excluded from the UNESCO’s List of World Heritage Sites in Danger, thus retaining its status.
In its 44th plenary session held in China, the World Heritage Committee decided to provide North Macedonia and Albania additional time to act in accordance with the reactive missions of UNESCO.
The amendments adopted in the draft decision proposed by the working group mean that the provision for the relocation of the Ohrid region to the list of endangered values will be removed.
The decision was during an extended three-day discussion at the World Heritage Committee. Bosnia and Herzegovina proposed to scrap off an amendment to remove Lake Ohrid’s status, but ultimately an extension to deal with uncontrolled urbanization and illegals construction was provided.
The decision was anticipated during a three-day discussion at the World Heritage Commission with the commissions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Norway, Russia and Bahrain piling efforts to reconcile opposing views on Bosnia’s proposal to give North Macedonia and Albania two additional years to address recommendations made in reports of UNESCO urging both countries to manage illegal constructions, or else potentially being placed in the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger.
The Lake Ohrid Region was inscribed in the World Heritage List in 1979 for its natural and cultural values.
In 2019, the region was extended to encompass the rest of the lake located in Albania as well as the small Lin peninsula.
Lake Ohrid is home to countless endemic species, including two species of trout, as well as a rich birdlife, and has existed for two to three million years.
In terms of its cultural values, the town of Ohrid is believed to be one of the oldest settlements in Europe.
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