Sharjah, December 9 (BNA) The United Arab Emirates and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) signed an agreement to establish the International Center for the Preservation of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Arab Countries in the United Arab Emirates. Emirate of Sharjah.
The Emirates News Agency (WAM) stated that the center, which aims to enhance the efforts of Sharjah and the UAE in protecting and promoting intangible cultural heritage, will be located at the Sharjah Heritage Institute.
The agreement was signed by Minister of Culture and Youth, Chairperson of the National Committee for Education, Culture and Science Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, and Director-General of UNESCO Audrey Azoulay at a ceremony held at the House of Wisdom in Sharjah.
Al Kaabi stressed the UAE’s leading role in preserving and protecting the intangible cultural heritage, saying that the state’s work in this field benefits all of humanity.
She added that global cooperation and partnerships are required to preserve this legacy for future generations, and to establish institutions capable of achieving this goal.
She pointed out that the establishment of the International Center for the Preservation of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Arab Countries in the Emirate of Sharjah confirms UNESCO’s confidence in the Emirates and its ability to provide the necessary capabilities, as well as the distinguished position of the Emirate of Sharjah in the field of culture and heritage.
The head of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Musallam, welcomed the announcement of the establishment of the center, which will enhance the position of Sharjah and the UAE in the creative and cultural economy.
It establishes it as a leading company in the preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage at the regional and global levels.
Al-Musallam praised the directives and efforts of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in supporting and preserving the intangible cultural heritage and the parties concerned with its promotion and preservation.
“The intangible cultural heritage is one of the main components of human civilization and is an indicator of the renaissance and progress of peoples and societies,” he said.
“The preservation of it can help achieve reconciliation between cultures and nationalities, and consolidate the values of understanding, cooperation and peace among them. The International Center for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Arab countries will be a beacon to achieve these goals for which all countries strive.”
He stated that strengthening the capacities of those working in the field of intangible cultural heritage contributes to encouraging intercultural dialogue and promoting mutual respect among all. He added that protecting the identity and cultural diversity of the population is vital, and all elements related to heritage, from customs, traditions, rituals and practices to skills, arts and crafts, must be protected.
Under the agreement, the center will focus on strengthening the 2003 Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage, its implementation in Arab countries, and expanding institutional capacities for the protection of intangible cultural heritage in Arab countries.
It will also work to promote the purposes and objectives of the Convention, raise the level of community, collective and individual participation in the protection of intangible cultural heritage, increase awareness of intangible cultural heritage, and enhance regional and international cooperation to protect intangible cultural heritage.
Under the auspices of UNESCO, the Center will work to implement short and long-term capacity-building programs and activities in the field of intangible cultural heritage, on the basis of the program established by UNESCO for the effective implementation of the 2003 Convention.
It will also adapt the capacity-building and data materials developed by UNESCO to the regional context and ensure their translation into Arabic.
The Center will also build networks of communication between the communities, groups and individuals concerned to support the transmission and dissemination of intangible cultural heritage, organize public events and meetings at the regional and international levels, and exchange information and knowledge related to the protection of intangible cultural heritage.
Sharjah also hosts the Arab Regional Center for World Heritage (ICCROM-Sharjah), which was established in 2011 by the International Center for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), of UNESCO, in partnership with the Government of Sharjah.
The Center seeks to strengthen the capacities of personnel across the official heritage institutions of Member States to enable them to sustainably manage cultural heritage sites, historical monuments and museum collections.