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Qatar Museums celebrated the tenth anniversary of the inscription of the Al Zubarah Archaeological Site on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of its participation in the 45th Expanded Session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and running until September 25.
In his speech during the celebrations, His Excellency Mr. Bandar bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said: “We are delighted to gather at this important event to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the inscription of the Zubarah Archaeological Site on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
His Excellency added: “This unique event is taking place at the same time as the sister Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is hosting the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting, reflecting the importance and influence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its leadership at the international level.”
He explained: “We are gathered in the heart of the Kingdom’s Arabian Peninsula, with whose brotherly peoples we share cultural and historical roots. We point out that the region is also considered a centre rich in values included in the founding statutes of UNESCO, in addition to the cultural dimension it possesses that is deeply rooted in history and constitutes the “World Heritage of the State of Qatar, both natural and cultural, is important in our national and international policies. This is why we believe in the effective role of World Heritage in building bridges between peoples, as well as being one of the pillars of sustainable development in achieving our National Vision 2030.”
He noted that “holding this event during the meeting of the Heritage Committee in Riyadh City has special meaning for us in Qatar, and it also strengthens the fraternal relations between the two countries and two brotherly peoples. As I mentioned, we have many common cultural elements that bring us together with our brothers in the Kingdom.”
His Excellency noted that the Ministry of Culture of the State of Qatar and the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recently signed an agreement to strengthen the two countries’ many partnerships in the cultural and creative fields and related industries.
Sheikha Aisha bint Mubarak Al Thani, head of the UNESCO section at the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, said that the Zubarah site is one of the most important archaeological sites in the State of Qatar and is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in Qatar. Located in the municipality of Shammar, the city of Zubarah is an example of a coastal city on the Arabian Gulf in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a fishing center and a pearl trading center. The Zubarah archaeological site is also located within the Al Reem Biosphere Reserve, which enhances the importance of the site and works with stakeholders to link the national network affiliated with UNESCO in a way that contributes to the realization of the National Strategic Plan for Protected Areas and Sites.
Sheikha Aisha bint Mubarak Al Thani, head of the UNESCO department of the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, explained that the State of Qatar is keen to protect its various cultural heritage as it is an integral part of the national identity and reflects its cultural heritage. The country has ratified a number of international agreements related to the protection of culture, and the country’s institutions are still seeking to study the inclusion of many archaeological and natural sites in regional and international heritage lists.
The Qatar National Committee for Education, Culture and Science, as a community body, plays a role in providing support and advice to national institutions in an effort to strengthen national directions and priorities and achieve the State of Qatar’s Vision 2030. The Qatar National Committee played a role in the country’s ratification of the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1985, adopted during the seventeenth session of the General Conference of UNESCO in 1972, which deals with the protection and natural heritage. The protection of cultural and natural sites and their inclusion as the common heritage of mankind is considered an effective tool to address the various challenges and issues facing heritage sites.
The Qatar National Committee also supported the submission of the Zubarah city dossier for inclusion on the 2013 UNESCO World Heritage List and supported the implementation of the strategic plan for the Zubarah archaeological site in collaboration with the Museums Authority and stakeholders.
She continued: “In this context, we want to emphasize that archaeological sites and historical monuments are one of the fundamental and stimulating tributaries of cultural tourism, and we are working to create a sustainable cultural tourism industry and achieve optimal investments.”
Dr. Nasser bin Hamad Al Hamzab, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), said: “Since the inscription of the Zubarah Archaeological Site on the World Heritage List, the State of Qatar has been committed to supporting all the efforts of the World Heritage Centre and the work of the Heritage Committee, especially in the face of contemporary challenges such as climate change and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It is also committed to empowering young people to manage heritage sites and linking them to the Qatar Vision 2030, which charts the way for the State of Qatar to build cultural and social capacities.”
Mr. Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi, Acting CEO of Qatar Museums, said: “With the support of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums, we strive to work hard to preserve cultural heritage and archaeological sites and protect the cultural and historical heritage of the State of Qatar. We also support all experts in the field to continue to collaborate and exchange experiences between all institutions. Great efforts have been made to develop and preserve the city of Zubarah and the Zubarah Archaeological Site, which will maintain the authenticity and integrity of the site.”
Dr. Fatima Al-Sulaiti, Director of International Cooperation and Government Affairs at Qatar Museums, said: “Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Zubarah Archaeological Site reinforces the role of the tremendous efforts made by Qatar Museums and specialized institutions at the archaeological site. The State of Qatar’s efforts to preserve this global heritage reflect the effective role played by the State of Qatar as a member of the World Heritage Committee.”
She added: “This event is a testament to Qatar’s ongoing commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and promoting its historical importance on the global stage, and is also a testament to Qatar’s ongoing efforts to foster a sense of pride and ownership among the local and global communities in preserving this unique historical site for future generations.”
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