The World Heritage Cities Organization was founded on September 8, 1993, by a group of cities that were among the first to be inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Based in Quebec, Canada, the organization is internationally recognized, and its member governments are committed to adhering to its regulations and standards.

It has been a member of the organization since its founding in 1993. Therefore, the organization celebrates the International Day of Solidarity with World Heritage Cities on September 8 each year, while UNESCO's celebration of monuments and sites (the International Council on Monuments and Sites) takes place on April 18 each year. In 1996, the cities of Shibam in Hadhramaut and Fez in Morocco were chosen to celebrate the International Day of Solidarity with World Heritage Cities. The General Authority for Historic Cities in the Republic, in cooperation with the authorities of Hadramawt Governorate and the Wadi Hadramawt region, tasked the Shibam branch of the Authority’s Studies and Documentation Department with preparing a program for the day. The celebration witnessed a blend of popular and official participation, with local residents playing a prominent and distinguished role. The costs of the celebration and festival did not exceed 120,000 Yemeni riyals at the time. Logistical and printing work, such as posters and informational materials about the city, were provided free of charge thanks to contributions from residents, particularly the Al-Ayyam newspaper, which generously donated its media, advertising, and promotional resources, in addition to printing all documents related to the international event and festival. The slogan of the celebration was: “Shibam: People Before Stones and Cities.” The festivities began early in the morning with the attendance of residents and government officials, including the Governor of Hadramawt, Saleh Abbad Al-Kholani, the Deputy Governor of Wadi Hadramawt, Awad Abdullah Hatem, and the Chairman of the General Authority for Historic Cities, Dr. Mohammed Hussein.

In the citadel's public square, heritage paintings were displayed, reviving ancient architectural styles and depicting the transport of water in a large vessel (the leather trough) that could only be carried by four strong men (as shown in the image). The exhibition also included wood carvings, decorative elements, doors, and the technique of splitting tree trunks, as well as a demonstration of traditional agricultural practices using oxen to plow the land around Shibam and the coast before the introduction of machinery for transporting water. The well and irrigation system were also on display. Thus, the architectural, craft, and agricultural landscape was presented as it was centuries ago. This exhibition was held outdoors on September 8, 1996. That same evening, the Dan and Shabwani dances were performed, complementing the presentation of Shibam's diverse arts, presented without ostentation, adhering to its traditions and passing them down to future generations without affectation. The World Heritage Organization later praised the high standard of Shibam Hadhramaut's presentation of these tangible and intangible aspects of its heritage, and indeed of Hadhramaut's heritage in general.