United Arab Emirates Strengthens Cultural Leadership As Four New Elements Join UNESCO Intangible Heritage List

The United Arab Emirates gained fresh global recognition when UNESCO added four cultural elements from the country to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and approved the transfer of Al Sadu to the same list during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee in New Delhi from 8th to 13th December 2025.

The newly inscribed practices are Al-Ahala, listed as a national file, along with Al-Bisht, the bride’s procession, and Kohl, which were accepted as joint Arab files, confirming that these shared traditions link the UAE with neighbouring Gulf and wider Arab societies through common customs, values, and artistic expressions passed down through generations.

Al Sadu, a traditional weaving practice, had been on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding since 2011, yet the Committee has now agreed to transfer it to the Representative List after the UAE implemented long-term safeguarding plans, ensuring the craft remains active in cultural life and that knowledge continues to reach younger generations across the country.

UNESCO’s decision on Al Sadu is described as an international acknowledgement of the UAE’s success in meeting strict global criteria for conservation, with comprehensive programmes, artisan support, and community participation helping protect the practice from decline and turning it into a visible, living craft within cultural festivals, educational initiatives, and heritage events nationwide.

Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture, said, "The inscription of four new elements on UNESCO’s lists marks a significant milestone in the UAE’s ongoing efforts to safeguard its intangible cultural heritage. It reflects our commitment to enhancing the global presence of our heritage practices. The transfer of the Al Sadu file to the Representative List also highlights the successful collaboration between relevant institutions and the community to ensure the preservation of this ancestral craft and its transmission to future generations."

Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi added, "We will continue working to document and safeguard our living heritage in ways that strengthens our national identity and reinforces the UAE’s position as a leading cultural and knowledge hub in the region and the world." The Ministry of Culture is expected to keep coordinating with local and federal bodies to expand documentation and training linked to these elements.

Commenting on the wider impact of the UNESCO decisions, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, said, "The UNESCO inscription is a profound and strategic investment in the future of our identity. Securing this global recognition for our cultural legacy is a milestone that reflects Abu Dhabi’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding and celebrating the living heritage that shapes our national identity. Through long-term programmes, community partnerships and festivals that bring these traditions into everyday cultural life, we have ensured that practices such as Al-Ahala, Al-Bisht, the bride’s procession and Kohl continue to thrive as part of our shared experience and contribute to global heritage.

"The successful transition of Al Sadu is a source of pride for every Emirati, showing how the dedication of master artisans, as well as the younger generations who carry their knowledge forward, can transform a heritage craft into a vibrant expression recognised on the global stage. As we continue to share Abu Dhabi’s rich culture with the world, we remain committed to empowering local communities, nurturing creativity, and ensuring that our heritage is not only preserved, but also lived and confidently passed on to future generations with pride and continuity."

With these latest inscriptions, the UAE now has 19 elements on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, in addition to one item that remains on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, underscoring a regional leadership role in cultural protection efforts among Arab states.

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The Representative List currently includes Falconry, Al Sadu, Al Taghrooda, Al-Ayyala, Majlis, Gahwa, Al-Razfa, Date Palm, Al Aflaj, Camel Racing, Arabic Calligraphy, Alheda’a (camel calling), Al Talli, Harees, Henna, Al-Ahala, Al-Bisht, Kohl, and the bride’s procession, while Al Azi appears on the list that identifies heritage elements requiring urgent safeguarding at the international level.

UAE UNESCO intangible cultural heritage files and regional cooperation

The nomination and follow-up of these files result from cooperation between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of Culture, the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO), and several heritage organisations, which continue to coordinate research, community consultations, and file preparation for future national and joint submissions to UNESCO.

These developments demonstrate how coordinated action by UAE institutions, craftspeople, and communities is helping secure UNESCO recognition for both long-established and still-practised traditions, supporting national identity, strengthening regional cultural ties, and ensuring that crafts, performances, and social customs remain active parts of everyday life while also contributing to the wider register of global intangible cultural heritage.

With inputs from WAM