The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-09/33.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decisions 31 COM 7A.19 and 32 COM 7A.19, adopted respectively at its 31st (Christchurch, 2007) and 32nd (Quebec City, 2008) sessions;
3. Takes notes of the progress that has been made in generating political support and commitment to the conservation of Zabid and the increase in resources for the General Organization for the Preservation of Historic Cities in Yemen (GOPHCY), supplemented by the socio-economic development project of the German Technical Assistance (GTZ), the Yemeni Government and the Social Fund for Development (SFD);
4. Notes however that many difficult challenges remain in terms of defining violations and putting in place an adequate legal framework, developing a conservation plan, allowing GOPHCY staff to have a clear mandate to deal with violations and construction permits and supporting their implementation work;
5. Also notes that notwithstanding capacity building in construction skills, further support and training is still needed in traditional materials and techniques;
6. Urges the State Party to continue to give the optimum support to the regeneration and conservation of Zabid;
7. Reiterates its request to the State Party to continue its efforts towards the implementation of the corrective measures adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007);
8 Requests that priority is given to developing the conservation plan in line with the aims outlined as part of the architectural survey;
9 Also reiterates its request to the State Party to develop, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value, and a proposal for the desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 34th session in 2010;
10 Also requeststhe State Party to invite a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS reactive monitoring mission to assess progress on the 2007 action plan for the implementation of the corrective measures;
11 Further requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre by 1 February 2010 a progress report on the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 34th session in 2010;
12 Decides to retain the Historic Town of Zabid (Yemen) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.