Decision 39 COM 7B.6

Socotra Archipelago (Yemen) (N 1263)

The World Heritage Committee,

1. Having examined Document WHC-15/39.COM/7B.Add,
2. Recalling Decision 37 COM 7B.9, adopted at its 37th session (Phnom Penh, 2013),
3. Regrets that the State Party did not submit its report on the state of conservation of the property, as requested by its Decision 37 COM 7B.9;
4. Notes with concern that the Socotra Archipelago has become vulnerable owing to the deteriorating security situation in Yemen;
5. Welcomes the information provided by the State Party that the energy crisis that forced local residents to collect fire wood has been resolved and the assurances given by the Governor of Socotra that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure the preservation of the property’s rare flora and fauna, but expresses its concern that recent energy shortages are reported on Socotra, which given the risk of recurrence are likely to lead to increasing pressure on the property’s natural resources;
6. Reiterates its requests to the State Party to:
   1. immediately devise and adopt an action plan for the full activation and implementation the 2008 Cabinet Decrees,
   2. commence the establishment of an independent management authority mandated for the management and long term sustainable development of the property,
   3. ensure that the road network in the property is not expanded and that the road master plan is revised in line with the property’s zoning plan, with a particular focus on mitigating impacts from existing roads,
   4. implement all other recommendations of the 2012 IUCN mission;
7. Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2016, an updated report, including a 1-page executive summary, on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 40th session in 2016.