[18 July 2008]

SANA'A, July 18 (Saba) -The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) expressed willingness to continue its contacts with Arab and western countries to support the project of setting up a science museum in Yemen's capital Sana'a.

Upon his return from the French capital Paris on Friday, Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Saleh Ali Basura said to Saba that he had participated in a meeting held at the UNESCO for providing support for the establishment of the National Museum of Science in Sana'a.

Basura pointed out he had discussed with the Director General of the UNESCO Mr. Koichiro Matsuura mechanisms of providing the necessary support for the museum, adding that the project's total cost reaches $38 million and it would be established at the University of Sana'a covering an area of 15000 square meters.

Basura highlighted the UNESCO efforts and cooperation to add the Socotra archipelago to its list of World Heritage Natural Sites.

The UNESCO explained that Socotra is of universal importance because of its rich and distinct flora and fauna and high level of endemism.

37% of Socotra's 825 plant species, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else in the world.

The site also supports globally significant populations of land and sea birds (192 bird species, 44 of which breed on the islands while 85 are regular migrants), including a number of threatened species.

YA

Saba