RCU And UNESCO Conclude Conference On Documentary Heritage For Sustainable Development In AlUla

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) and UNESCO recently concluded a significant conference titled "Innovating Documentary Heritage for Sustainable Development in AlUla and Saudi Arabia." Held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris from April 29 to 30, the event was part of UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme. It gathered over 50 documentary heritage experts and high-level representatives from memory institutions worldwide.

More than 150 people attended in person, with an additional 600 joining virtually from 80 countries. The discussions underscored the vital role of archives, libraries, and cultural institutions in preserving collective memory. They also highlighted the importance of education and intercultural understanding through dialogue and knowledge sharing.

Participants stressed the necessity for international cooperation, capacity building, and digital innovation to protect vulnerable documentary heritage. This is especially crucial in regions facing conflict or environmental threats. RCU reiterated its dedication to sustainable development through heritage conservation and global knowledge sharing.

The conference also marked a milestone in regional coordination for documenting heritage preservation. Representatives from national commissions, memory committees, and cultural institutions across the Arab region shared updates on their strategic plans. These include forming specialized national committees for the Memory of the World Programme.

Alongside the conference, an exhibition titled "Words on Memory: A Window into the Documentary Heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia" was held. It showcased RCU's efforts in preserving collective memory through Islamic manuscripts, historical maps, archival photographs, digital displays, and a Virtual Reality (VR) experience.

This VR activation transported visitors to Jabal Ikmah, a site listed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World International Register. Known as an open library of inscriptions, it offers an interactive journey through AlUla’s epigraphic landscape and its narratives across civilizations.

Saudi Ministry of Culture's Contribution

The Ministry of Culture participated with a dedicated pavilion at the exhibition. It highlighted the Saudi cultural memory center and national digitization projects like the Cultural Hub. New Arabic typefaces were also introduced to reflect and preserve Saudi cultural identity.

Plans were presented for developing a Gulf-wide Memory of the World digital platform and atlas. Targeted outreach campaigns and capacity-building workshops aim to empower emerging memory institutions across the region.

Regional Collaboration Efforts

The conference emphasized regional collaboration with several countries committing to support joint nominations to UNESCO’s Memory of the World International Register. These nominations aim to reflect shared histories and cultural connections among nations.

The event builds on RCU’s long-term strategic partnership with UNESCO under its Memory of the World Programme. The Kingdoms Institute, evolving from RCU, serves as a regional hub for research and conservation of cultural heritage.

This gathering reinforced RCU's commitment to empowering national institutions and engaging communities in sustainable development through heritage conservation.

With inputs from SPA