Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced the inclusion of 26 new Yemeni cultural and natural sites on its World Heritage Tentative List. This brings the total number of Yemeni sites on the list from 9 to 35, encompassing archaeological, natural, and historical locations across various governorates of the country.
This achievement comes after the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Yemen to UNESCO submitted the nomination files, in coordination with the organization’s regional office for Gulf States and Yemen, and the Arab Regional Center for World Heritage in Bahrain. The effort was supported by a team of Yemeni experts specifically trained for this purpose.
The newly added sites include:
- Ancient Ma’in Kingdom cities in Al-Jawf
- Al-Amiriyah School – Rada’a
- Ruins and Water Management Systems of the Himyarite Kingdom in Zafar
- Shibam Kawkaban
- Jabal Irf Nature Reserve
- Hayd Al-Jazil and Wadi Do’an – Hadhramaut
- Al-Qarah City – Yafa’
- Tarim City – Historic Mukalla City
- Seiyun Palace
- The Cultural Landscape and Heritage Landmarks of Sana’a
- Archaeological Sites of the Hadhramaut Kingdom in Shabwah
- Archaeological Sites of the Qataban Kingdom in Bayhan
- Aden Wetlands Nature Reserve
- Historic Aden City
- Habban City in Shabwah
- Al-Hawtah City (Hawta Al-Faqih Ali) in Shabwah
- Balhaf/Burum Nature Reserve
- Ancient Incense Trade Routes
- Jiblah City in Ibb
- Historic Fortifications in Al-Hudaidah
- Old City of Al-Hudaydah
- Shaharah City and its Bridge
- Sharma-Jathmun Reserve
- Biodiversity Sites in Hadhramaut
- Landmarks of Taiz City
- Al-Mokha City
- Historic Sa’dah City
- Dar Al-Hajar
- Baraqish Archaeological Site in Al-Jawf
- Agricultural Terraces in Yemen
- Historic Thula City
- Jabal Hura
- Jabal Bura
- Hawf Reserve in Al-Mahra
Additionally, data for five previously listed sites was updated as part of ongoing efforts to preserve and internationally document Yemeni heritage, despite the challenges the country faces.
Mohammed Jumaih, Yemen’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, commended the efforts of the participating entities and the specialized Yemeni team. He extended his gratitude to the UNESCO office in Doha, the Arab Center in Bahrain, technical supervisor Dr. Hussam Mahdi, and everyone who contributed to this step, which is considered a significant gain for Yemen in the field of heritage protection.
