Saudi Arabia Joins Global Leaders At UNESCO World Heritage Committee In India

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is actively participating in the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. This event, held from July 21 to 31 in New Delhi, India, sees representatives from 195 member states who ratified the World Heritage Convention of 1972. The Saudi delegation is led by Engineer Mohammed bin Youssef Al-Aidaroos, an advisor to the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.

During this session, the World Heritage Committee will review a proposal to add 27 new sites to the World Heritage List. Additionally, it will assess the preservation status of 124 existing sites, including 56 that are currently considered endangered. The committee comprises representatives from 21 countries elected by the parties to the convention.

The Saudi delegation has been involved in various activities supported by the Kingdom. These include discussions on a digital heritage platform and capacity building in African countries. They also participated in an event on Islamic World Heritage organized by ICESCO. The delegation delivered speeches emphasizing Saudi Arabia's commitment to UNESCO's efforts in preserving world heritage.

The digital heritage platform is a joint initiative between Saudi Arabia and UNESCO. It uses advanced digital technologies to explore UNESCO's cultural and natural world heritage sites as well as intangible cultural heritage. This platform aims to enhance global access and understanding of these significant sites.

In addition to their participation in scheduled activities, the Saudi delegation met with representatives from other official delegations attending the session. These meetings aimed at strengthening cooperation in heritage conservation efforts globally. Such interactions are crucial for fostering international collaboration and sharing best practices.

The World Heritage Committee oversees the implementation of the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage. This committee ensures that member states adhere to guidelines aimed at preserving cultural and natural heritage sites worldwide.

The session highlights Saudi Arabia's ongoing support for UNESCO's mission. By engaging in these discussions and initiatives, Saudi Arabia demonstrates its dedication to global heritage conservation efforts.

This active participation underscores the Kingdom’s role in promoting cultural preservation on an international scale. Through collaborative projects like the digital heritage platform, Saudi Arabia contributes significantly to safeguarding world heritage for future generations.

With inputs from SPA