Old Walled City of Shibam

• Financial resources
• Human resources
• 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
• Water (rain/water table) (threats from rain and floods)

• Threats from natural elements
• Lack of organizational support and material resources for conservation
• Threats related to the armed conflict

Not yet drafted

Not yet identified

Not yet identified

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.

2018-2021: 9,780,000 EUR from the European Union for the project: Cash for Work: Promoting Livelihood Opportunities for Urban Youth in Yemen (Sana’a, Shibam, Zabid and Aden)

2022-2026: USD 22,552,000 from the European Union for the project: Youth Employment through Culture and Heritage in Yemen

2023: USD 925,925 from Japan for Building Climate-resilient Communities in Historic Cities in Yemen through Strengthened Disaster Risk Management and Awareness (Old City of Sana’a and Old Walled City of Shibam)

On 12 February 2024, a report on the state of conservation of the property was submitted, an executive summary of which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/192/documents/, presenting the following information:

• Owing to ongoing conflict in Yemen, government-funded projects have ceased, placing a burden on the local site management;
• Challenges facing the property include damage to buildings, vulnerability of building materials, ongoing inability of the community to undertake restoration and maintenance work owing to conflict, and government resource constraints;
• Since 2016, communication with international cultural heritage organizations and donors has resulted in documentation and conservation projects, alongside training and workshops;
• The first phase of the UNESCO/European Union ‘Cash for Work’ Project, aimed at enhancing youth livelihood through conservation and urban renewal activities, has included repairing the city wall and damaged buildings, installing public infrastructure, and removing intrusive Sisban trees. However, challenges and delays have arisen during implementation;
• Projects supported by the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) have included emergency repairs to buildings damaged by rain, flooding and conflict, rehabilitation of the city market, job creation, and return of displaced families;
• The emergency project to restore buildings in Shibam Hadhramaut, supported by the Arab Cement Company Limited, has reported positive outcomes, and is an example of private sector financing for conservation works;
• Additional technical and financial support is recommended from the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund and through other international support;
• Implementation of the 2009 Conservation Plan for Shibam is hindered as there have been ‘minor illegal violations’, and it requires updating;
• There should be more local implementation of conservation projects, with greater acknowledgement of local capabilities;
• There is a strong commitment to pursuing removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger, through effective conservation; greater government and international support; training, capacity building, and increasing awareness; and fulfilment of obligations under international laws and conventions, including the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

The ongoing conflict, fragile historic structures, heavy rainfall and flooding, and economic conditions, continue to threaten the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the property. Nevertheless, the efforts of the State Party, international agencies and local actors in the repair of historical buildings, capacity building, and awareness raising should be acknowledged. The achievements during the first phase of the European Union-funded project ‘Cash for Work: Promoting Livelihood Opportunities for Urban Youth in Yemen’, 2018–2022 were previously commended by the Committee and the continuation of that project, and other conservation programmes such as works supported by ALIPH, and the emergency project to restore buildings in Shibam Hadhramaut are welcome.

However, the State Party advice that the implementation of the Conservation Plan has been hindered, resulting in building violations in connection with private property, is concerning, and it would be appropriate for the State Party to support and extend protection, conservation, capacity building and awareness activities to all stakeholders, and to engage with the local community and landowners to ensure adequate protection and prevent encroachment.

Creating additional opportunities for the implementation of conservation and rehabilitation activities at the local level, such as the current and upcoming rehabilitation of houses under the second phase of the UNESCO/European Union project, would be important and would contribute to enhanced capacities, while ensuring protection of OUV. Collaboration and exchange mechanisms among actors supporting rehabilitation work on the ground, local authorities, and technical teams need to be enhanced. It would also be appropriate to remind the State Party that documentation of major projects, including conservation programmes, should be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review by the Advisory Bodies in advance of project implementation.

The Committee may wish to remind the State Party of its previous request to submit detailed information on the works undertaken at the Governmental Complex, as well as the report ‘Conservation Status of Shibam Hadramout 2018-2019, Strategy for the Management of the Historic City of Shibam’, to the World Heritage Centre, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines. Boundary clarification, as well as the submission of a minor boundary modification proposal, in line with Paragraph 164 of the Operational Guidelines remains important to the protection of the property and the State Party should also be encouraged to pursue this process.

Noting the threat to the property posed by conflict, the Committee may wish to reiterate its former request to all parties 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. The ratification of the Second Protocol (1999) to the 1954 Hague Convention, by Yemen on 1 June 2023 is an important step towards contributing to the protection of cultural property in the country.

The support of the State Party for pursuing removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger is welcome and the Reactive Monitoring mission previously requested should occur as soon as the situation allows. The challenges in finalizing the National Strategy for the Preservation of the Historic Cities, Sites and Monuments 2016-2020, and implementing the Emergency Action Plan for the Safeguarding of Yemen’s Cultural Heritage, which have been noted previously, remain, and it is hoped that these may progress, following the Reactive Monitoring mission, with the benefit of international support.

The Old Walled City of Shibam remains subject to ascertained and potential danger and should remain on the List of World Heritage in Danger.