The World Heritage Committee,
- Having examined Document WHC/24/46.COM/7A.Add,
- Recalling Decision 45 COM 7A.47, adopted at its extended 45th session (Riyadh, 2023),
- Expresses its continuing concern that the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property continues to be vulnerable because of the deteriorating condition of historic buildings, effects of extreme weather conditions, security challenges, and continuing limited support and resources for both heritage management and physical conservation;
- Commends the efforts undertaken in capacity building, awareness raising, damage assessment, documentation and emergency interventions at the property, including through the second phase of the ‘EU-funded project ‘Youth Employment through Culture and Heritage in Yemen’ and requests that they continue in consultation with UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies;
- Recalls the obligation to submit information on major projects (including conservation programmes) to the World Heritage Centre, in compliance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines, for review by the Advisory Bodies;
- Reiterates its previous request that proposals for a boundary clarification and a minor boundary modification are elaborated in close coordination with UNESCO and the Advisory Bodies, to be submitted in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines,
- Continues to urge all parties involved in the conflict to refrain from any further action that would cause damage to the cultural heritage of Yemen and the OUV of the property, and to fulfil their obligations under international law, in particular the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, and appeals to all States Parties to cooperate in the protection of cultural heritage during armed conflict as per the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2347;
- Also reiterates its previous calls to 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, including funding for capacity building and first-aid restoration and protection measures;
- Further reiterates the need for a joint World Heritage Centre/ICOMOS Reactive Monitoring mission to advise on repair and conservation works and implementation of the National Strategy for the Preservation of the Historic Cities, Sites and Monuments 2016-2020 and the Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural Heritage, and to contribute to the processes required to enable the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, including the preparation of the Desired state of conservation for removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR) and implementation of corrective measures, as soon as the situation allows;
- Finally requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2025, 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 47th session;
- Decides to retain Historic Town of Zabid (Yemen) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.