Take advantage of the search to browse through the World Heritage Centre information.

i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
vii
viii
ix
x
State of Conservation Old Walled City of Shibam 2018

Old Walled City of Shibam

Yemen
Factors affecting the property in 2018*
  • Civil unrest
  • Financial resources
  • Flooding
  • Human resources
  • War
  • Water (rain/water table)
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
  • Floods (issue previously reported as being resolved)
  • Poor maintenance (issue previously reported as being resolved)
  • Damage to historic buildings
  • Reduction in support and resources arising from political and socio-economic disturbances
  • Armed conflict situation since 2015
  • Threats from rain and floods
Threats for which the property was inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger
  • Threats from natural elements
  • Lack of organizational support and material resources for conservation
  • Threats related to the armed conflict
Corrective Measures for the property

Not yet identified

Timeframe for the implementation of the corrective measures

Not yet identified

UNESCO Extra-Budgetary Funds until 2018

Total amount granted to Yemeni cultural properties: USD 194,836 from the European Union for damage assessments, capacity development and emergency stabilization of damaged buildings and protection of archaeological sites. Total amount of USD 35,000 from UNESCO Regular Programme for the Sustainable Management of Tangible Heritage in the GCC and Yemen

International Assistance: requests for the property until 2018
Requests approved: 6 (from 1982-1999)
Total amount approved : 121,966 USD
1999 Exposition of the photographs of the architectures in ... (Approved)   166 USD
1998 Supplement for the handcraft centre in Shibam (Approved)   20,000 USD
1993 Emergency measures regarding the drainage system Shibam ... (Approved)   40,500 USD
1993 Financial contribution to organize an evaluation ... (Approved)   9,500 USD
1988 4 fellowships for specialists working on the World ... (Approved)   31,800 USD
1982 Elaboration of a plan for the installation of a waste ... (Approved)   20,000 USD
Missions to the property until 2018**
2009 Report on the WHC Mission to Yemen, 21-31 January 2009
1997 Report on the WHC Mission to Yemen, November 1997
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 2018

Local sources provided a report on the property’s state of conservation, which contains the following information:

  • The Old City of Shibam, being built of mud and located in a flood prone area, remains at severe risk of major damage, unless necessary preventive measures are taken. The effects of climate change are exacerbating this problem. Therefore, the proposed ‘Shibam Oases Development Project’ is essential for long-term conservation. This project, which is part of a sustainable food security program, involves preparation of a comprehensive developmental plan for the conservation and use of Shibam oases, which are considered as the buffer zone of the property. Shibam is also at risk from armed conflict, and other threats including limited institutional capacity, impact of inappropriate new development, diminishing traditional activities and lack of resources for both economic activity and conservation;
  • Despite the deteriorating economic, social and security situation and scarce resources, local technical actors have taken action to prevent the deterioration of historic buildings and have implemented a number of emergency measures to ensure their stability, thereby enabling some displaced families to return home. Other buildings have been repaired using local funds. There has been dialogue with UNESCO regarding these works;
  • Yemeni specialists have participated in workshops and events organized by UNESCO and ICCROM, leading to improved communication and requests for resources to support further participation, networking and training to build capacity. The ICCROM Centre in Sharjah, using funding from the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund, is co-ordinating a project (‘Recovery and Skills Sharing in Yemen and Sudan’), which includes the rehabilitation and reconstruction of some historic buildings in Shibam-Hadramout;
  • Financial support is requested to implement corrective measures, which will enable the property to be removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 2018

The security situation in Yemen, in combination with the physical circumstances of the property, and lack of organizational support and resources, continues to thwart effective heritage management and physical conservation works within the property. However, the efforts of both local technical actors and the Shibam community in damage assessment, documentation, first-aid interventions, capacity building and continuous communication with the World Heritage Centre, UNESCO Doha and the Advisory Bodies, are commendable.

Support from the international community, through projects such as the proposed ‘Shibam Oases Development Project’ and ‘Recovery and Skills Sharing in Yemen and Sudan’, remains essential for capacity building and adequate preventive and conservation measures at the property. It would be appropriate that further information about these programmes be submitted by the State Party to the World Heritage Centre, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines.

Although future financial or practical support is necessarily constrained unless and until the security situation improves, the international community can and should continue to express its support for the local technical actors and communities, and where possible offer technical assistance.

It remains desirable for a Reactive Monitoring mission to visit the property in order to advise on short-term repair works and to identify, both the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and associated corrective measures, as soon as the security situation allows.

Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 2018
42 COM 7A.39
Old Walled City of Shibam (Yemen) (C 192)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.53, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Expresses its continuing concern at the recent damage caused to the cultural heritage of the property as a result of natural elements and ongoing armed conflict, and that the property continues to be vulnerable, owing to the residual impact of previous flooding, as well as the current security situation, ongoing social change and continuing lack of organisational support and resources for both heritage management and physical conservation;
  4. Commends the local technical actors and other parties involved in damage assessment, documentation and emergency interventions, and for its communication with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies and acknowledges the efforts of the General Organization for the Preservation of Historic Cities in Yemen (GOPHCY), the community and the other concerned stakeholders of Shibam to protect and conserve the property despite the very difficult conditions;
  5. Requests the State Party to submit, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, details for the ‘Shibam Oases Development Project’;
  6. Reiterates the need for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to advise on repair and conservation works, and to contribute to the development of a set of corrective measures and a timeframe for their implementation, as well as the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), as soon as the security situation in Yemen has improved;
  7. Urges all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from any further action that would cause damage to the cultural heritage of Yemen and the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and to fulfil their obligations under international law by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage, in particular the safeguarding of properties on the World Heritage List and those included in the Tentative List of Yemen, and encourages all concerned stakeholders to unite for the preservation of cultural heritage in Yemen;
  8. Reiterates its previous calls for the international community to provide technical and financial support, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund, for the implementation of the Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural heritage, adopted at the UNESCO Expert meeting in July 2015, including funding for capacity building and first-aid restoration and protection measures, and calls on the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to continue providing the State Party with technical assistance and support where needed;
  9. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  10. Decides to retain the Old Walled City of Shibam (Yemen) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Read more
42 COM 8C.2
Update of the List of World Heritage in Danger (Retained Properties)

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined the state of conservation reports of properties inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger (WHC/18/42.COM/7A, WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add and WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add.2),
  2. Decides to retain the following properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger:
  • Afghanistan, Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley (Decision 42 COM 7A.1)
  • Afghanistan, Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Decision 42 COM 7A.2)
  • Austria, Historic Centre of Vienna (Decision 42 COM 7A.5)
  • Bolivia (Plurinational State of), City of Potosí (Decision 42 COM 7A.8)
  • Central African Republic, Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.45)
  • Chile, Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Decision 42 COM 7A.9)
  • Côte d'Ivoire / Guinea, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.46)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Garamba National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.47)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.48)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.49)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Salonga National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.50)
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.51)
  • Egypt, Abu Mena (Decision 42 COM 7A.17)
  • Honduras, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.44)
  • Indonesia, Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (Decision 42 COM 7A.40)
  • Iraq, Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (Decision 42 COM 7A.18)
  • Iraq, Hatra (Decision 42 COM 7A.19)
  • Iraq, Samarra Archaeological City (Decision 42 COM 7A.20)
  • Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (site proposed by Jordan) (Decision 42 COM 7A.21)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Cyrene (Decision 42 COM 7A.22)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna (Decision 42 COM 7A.23)
  • Libya, Archaeological Site of Sabratha (Decision 42 COM 7A.24)
  • Libya, Old Town of Ghadamès (Decision 42 COM 7A.25)
  • Libya, Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus (Decision 42 COM 7A.26)
  • Madagascar, Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Decision 42 COM 7A.53)
  • Mali, Old Towns of Djenné (Decision 42 COM 7A.13)
  • Mali, Timbuktu (Decision 42 COM 7A.14)
  • Mali, Tomb of Askia (Decision 42 COM 7A.15)
  • Micronesia (Federated States of), Nan Madol: Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia (Decision 42 COM 7A.3)
  • Niger, Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves (Decision 42 COM 7A.54)
  • Palestine, Birthplace of Jesus: Church of the Nativity and the Pilgrimage Route, Bethlehem (Decision 42 COM 7A.27)
  • Palestine, Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir (Decision 42 COM 7A.29)
  • Palestine, Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town (Decision 42 COM 7A.28)
  • Panama, Fortifications on the Caribbean Side of Panama: Portobelo-San Lorenzo (Decision 42 COM 7A.10)
  • Peru, Chan Chan Archaelogical Zone (Decision 42 COM 7A.11)
  • Senegal, Niokolo-Koba National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.55)
  • Serbia, Medieval Monuments in Kosovo (Decision 42 COM 7A.6)
  • Solomon Islands, East Rennell (Decision 42 COM 7A.41)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Aleppo (Decision 42 COM 7A.30)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Bosra (Decision 42 COM 7A.31)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient City of Damascus (Decision 42 COM 7A.32)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Ancient Villages of Northern Syria (Decision 42 COM 7A.33)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Crac des Chevaliers and Qal’at Salah El-Din (Decision 42 COM 7A.34)
  • Syrian Arab Republic, Site of Palmyra (Decision 42 COM 7A.35)
  • Uganda, Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi (Decision 42 COM 7A.16)
  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Liverpool – Maritime Mercantile City (Decision 42 COM 7A.7)
  • United Republic of Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve (Decision 42 COM 7A.56)
  • United States of America, Everglades National Park (Decision 42 COM 7A.42)
  • Uzbekistan, Historic Centre of Shakhrisyabz (Decision 42 COM 7A.4)
  • Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Coro and its Port (Decision 42 COM 7A.12)
  • Yemen, Historic Town of Zabid (Decision 42 COM 7A.37)
  • Yemen, Old City of Sana’a (Decision 42 COM 7A.38)
  • Yemen, Old Walled City of Shibam (Decision 42 COM 7A.39)
Read more
Draft Decision: 42 COM 7A.39

The World Heritage Committee,

  1. Having examined Document WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add,
  2. Recalling Decision 41 COM 7A.53, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017),
  3. Expresses its continuing concern at the recent damage caused to the cultural heritage of the property as a result of natural elements and ongoing armed conflict, and that the property continues to be vulnerable, owing to the residual impact of previous flooding, as well as the current security situation, ongoing social change and continuing lack of organisational support and resources for both heritage management and physical conservation;
  4. Commends the local technical actors and other parties involved in damage assessment, documentation and emergency interventions, and for its communication with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies and acknowledges the efforts of the General Organization for the Preservation of Historic Cities in Yemen (GOPHCY), the community and the other concerned stakeholders of Shibam to protect and conserve the property despite the very difficult conditions;
  5. Requests the State Party to submit, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, details for the ‘Shibam Oases Development Project’;
  6. Reiterates the need for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to advise on repair and conservation works, and to contribute to the development of a set of corrective measures and a timeframe for their implementation, as well as the Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), as soon as the security situation in Yemen has improved;
  7. Urges all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from any further action that would cause damage to the cultural heritage of Yemen and the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property and to fulfil their obligations under international law by taking all possible measures to protect such heritage, in particular the safeguarding of properties on the World Heritage List and those included in the Tentative List of Yemen, and encourages all concerned stakeholders to unite for the preservation of cultural heritage in Yemen;
  8. Reiterates its previous calls for the international community to provide technical and financial support, including through the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund, for the implementation of the Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural heritage, adopted at the UNESCO Expert meeting in July 2015, including funding for capacity building and first-aid restoration and protection measures, and calls on the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies to continue providing the State Party with technical assistance and support where needed;
  9. Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2019, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 43rd session in 2019;
  10. Decides to retain Old Walled City of Shibam (Yemen) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Previous 2017 Next 2019
Report year: 2018
Yemen
Date of Inscription: 1982
Category: Cultural
Criteria: (iii)(iv)(v)
Danger List (dates): 2015-present
Documents examined by the Committee
WHC/18/42.COM/7A.Add
arrow_circle_right 42COM (2018)
Exports
Previous 2017 Next 2019

* : The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).

** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.


top