Yemen Expands UNESCO Tentative List with Key Cultural and Natural Sites

Yemen Expands UNESCO Tentative List with Key Cultural and Natural Sites
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UNESCO has added 26 cultural and natural sites in Yemen to its World Heritage Tentative List, expanding the country’s total entries to 35, according to a report by UNESCO. The newly listed sites range from ancient cities like Ma’in and Tarim to incense trade routes and biodiversity reserves in Hadhramaut, showcasing Yemen’s historical and environmental richness.

The nomination was led by Yemen’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, with support from regional heritage bodies and local experts. Despite ongoing conflict and humanitarian challenges, the effort underscores a renewed dedication to safeguarding Yemen’s cultural heritage.

Yemen’s UNESCO representative, Mohammed Jumaih, called the development a major step toward protecting the nation’s historical legacy. Sites such as Shibam Kawkaban’s mudbrick architecture and the Himyarite Kingdom’s ancient water systems reflect centuries of innovation and cultural exchange.