The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Document WHC-08/32.COM/7A,
2. Recalling Decision 31 COM 7A.19, adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007),
3. Notes the progress made by the State Party to stop building violations and demolitions, to carry out a survey of the buildings, to complete heritage protection laws and to draft the conservation plan and urges the State Party to continue its work on the corrective measures adopted at its 31st session (Christchurch, 2007);
4. Welcomes the joint German Technical Assistance (GTZ), Yemeni Government and Social Fund for Development (SFD) project and the considerable funding and expertise that this has provided; and also notes that first phase will be completed in June 2010;
5. Welcomes, in particular, the emphasis that the joint project puts on integrating the local community's social, cultural and economic needs with the preservation of the property;
6. Reiterates its requests to the State Party to develop, in consultation with the World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies, a draft Statement of Outstanding Universal Value including the conditions of integrity and authenticity, 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 33rd session in 2009;
7. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2009, a progress report on the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 33rd session in 2009;
8. Decides to retain the Historic Town of Zabid (Yemen) on the List of World Heritage in Danger