UAE, UNESCO work together to preserve Arab cultural heritage
The United Arab Emirates and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) signed an agreement to establish an international center for the preservation of the Arab cultural heritage in the Emirate of Charjah.
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The center is located at the Charjah Heritage Institute (SIH), which aims to enhance the efforts of Charjah and the United Arab Emirates in preserving and promoting rich cultural heritage.
Minister of Culture and Youth Nora bint Mohammed al-Kafi and Director General Audrey Azoulay signed the agreement at a ceremony at the House of Wisdom in Charjah. Abdullah Al-Muslim, President of the International Publishers Association (IPA) and founder and CEO of the UAE-based KG Words Group, President of the Charjah Heritage Institute and President of the Charjah Heritage Institute, in the presence of the UNESCO Chief. Badr bint Sultan Al Qasimi Owais, Salma Al Darmaji, Secretary General of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and Sheikh Salem Al Qasimi, Permanent Representative of the UAE to UNESCO.
Global cooperation
The center stressed the important role the UAE plays in preserving its rich cultural heritage, adding that the country’s work in this area benefits all humanity. Global cooperation and partnership were necessary to preserve that heritage for future generations and to establish institutions that could achieve that goal.
The establishment of the International Center for the Preservation of Arab Cultural Heritage in Charjah confirms UNESCO’s confidence in the United Arab Emirates and its ability to provide the necessary capabilities, as well as its special status in the field of culture and heritage, he said. .
Al-Muslim welcomed the announcement of the establishment of the center, which will undoubtedly raise the status of Charjah and the United Arab Emirates in the creative and cultural economy and establish them as leaders in preserving and promoting the intangible cultural heritage. We appreciate the directives and efforts of His Highness Sheik Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed al-Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Charjah, in supporting and preserving the entities concerned with the development and preservation of exceptional cultural heritage regionally and globally.
The revival and advancement of people and communities
Al-Muslim said: “The innocent cultural heritage is a pillar of human civilization and is a symbol of the renaissance and progress of peoples and societies. The Center will be a beacon for achieving these goals and all States will strive to achieve them”.
Improving the potential of those working in the field of intangible cultural heritage contributed to promoting intercultural dialog and mutual respect for all. It was essential to preserve the identity and cultural diversity of the population and all elements of tradition — from customs, traditions, rituals and practices to skills, arts and crafts — must be preserved.
Awareness raising
According to the agreement, the center will focus on strengthening the 2003 conference on the preservation of the strange cultural heritage, implementing it in the Arab world, expanding its institutional capabilities to preserve its exclusive cultural heritage in the Arab world, and promoting the goals and objectives of the conference, community, collective and individual participation in the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, raising awareness of intangible cultural heritage and promoting regional and international cooperation for the preservation of intangible cultural heritage.
Under the auspices of UNESCO, the Center will implement short- and long-term projects and activities to develop skills in the field of exclusive cultural heritage, based on the UNESCO plan for the effective implementation of the 2003 Conference. Stresses the capacity-building materials and data developed by UNESCO to adapt to the regional context and translate them into Arabic.
The Center will establish a network of contacts among relevant communities, groups and individuals, support the dissemination and dissemination of extraordinary cultural heritage, organize events and public meetings at the regional and international levels, and exchange information and knowledge on the preservation of intangible cultural heritage.
