The Yemeni representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) warned of the possibility of Socotra Island being listed among the world heritage sites at risk due to its exposure to investment violations, urban distortion, and the introduction of plants from outside the island that have affected the plant life. Ambassador Mohamed Jumeh stated on Thursday that the meetings of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee currently taking place in New Delhi discussed the status of the island, which is located off the eastern coast of Yemen and has been listed since 2008 as a site of global marine significance.
He added that "reports from the UNESCO committee meeting mentioned several risks, including unauthorized construction investments, urban expansion, intensive fishing operations, and the introduction of non-native plants that have impacted the botanical life." He continued, "We have been working over the last few days with delegations from brotherly and friendly countries to avoid placing the island on the list of danger, while adhering to UNESCO's requirements which decided to send a monitoring committee."
He pointed out that the continuation of these activities and the current situation threatens the possibility of listing Socotra on the endangered World Heritage list. Socotra Island is the largest of the Yemeni islands, located near the Gulf of Aden, and is the main island in an archipelago consisting of six islands in the Indian Ocean. The island is classified among the four most important islands in the world in terms of biodiversity and plant life. Cultural stakeholders in Yemen state that Socotra is currently experiencing changes to its natural environment due to increasing urban sprawl, lack of services and development projects, and low environmental awareness.
