UAE Reaffirms Commitment To Cultural Heritage Preservation At ACHA General Assembly In China

The UAE, through its Ministry of Culture, took part in the Second General Assembly of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia (ACHA) in Chongqing, China. This event gathered culture ministers, senior officials, and experts from over 20 nations. Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, led the UAE delegation and delivered an opening speech.

Al Nakhi emphasised that cultural preservation is a national priority for the UAE. He stated that creative and heritage industries are vital for sustainable development. The UAE's commitment extends internationally, with contributions exceeding US$50.4 million to Iraq’s "Revive the Spirit of Mosul" initiative and other global heritage projects.

The assembly served as a strategic platform to enhance regional and global cooperation in safeguarding shared human heritage. As a founding member of ACHA, the UAE collaborates with partner states on scientific research, restoration, digital documentation, and preserving both tangible and intangible heritage. These efforts address emerging threats like climate change, natural disasters, and conflict.

During the assembly, discussions centred around joint international projects and new funding mechanisms to support heritage preservation efforts. The decision to establish Chongqing as the permanent headquarters for ACHA's General Secretariat was also finalised. This move underscores a global shift towards using advanced technologies and AI to protect cultural assets.

Participants stressed the need to improve member states’ ability to mitigate risks from natural disasters and armed conflicts. They also focused on advancing modern legal and technical frameworks to ensure sustainable global heritage preservation efforts. The UAE’s involvement highlights its role in shaping ACHA’s institutional development.

The UAE supports collaborative initiatives in research, restoration, and capacity building within ACHA. This participation reaffirms its dedication to advancing regional and global heritage preservation. The assembly welcomed interest from additional countries seeking to join the Alliance.

The gathering highlighted how member states can enhance their capabilities against risks posed by natural disasters and conflicts. It also emphasised developing modern legal frameworks for sustainable heritage preservation globally.

With inputs from WAM