14 September. His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, received a visit from Mounir Bouchenaki, Director-General of ICCROM on 11 September 2011. At the meeting an Agreement of Implementation was signed between the Government of Sharjah, UAE, and ICCROM to establish a Regional Centre for the Management and Conservation of Cultural Heritage in the Arab States, which will be based in the Emirate of Sharjah.

Also present at the meeting were Zaki Aslan, ATHAR Programme Manager at ICCROM, Abdulaziz al Musallam, Director of Heritage, Judge Hassan El Amin, Legal Advisor in the Ruler's Office, and Architect Peter Jackson of the Ruler's Office.

His Highness stressed that this Centre will become a nucleus for the development of cultural heritage conservation and management in the Arab region. Its location will be in Sharjah University City. The Director-General of ICCROM highlighted the importance of this agreement, as this is currently the only centre of its kind in the Arab region.

The achievements of the ATHAR programme, under the patronage of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, have provided a strong foundation for the creation of the Centre. Training activities and advisory services have been provided to the United Arab Emirates over the past four years in the areas of architectural and museum conservation and of documentation and management of heritage sites.  In addition, ATHAR has assisted in the preparation of the World Heritage Tentative List with the UAE's National Council of Antiquities and Tourism and the participation of all the Emirates.

Since the launch of ATHAR nearly eight years ago, the programme has successfully trained 189 professionals from 19 Arab countries. However, there is a need to further the work of the programme, building partnerships that will strengthen the role of the Regional Centre in cooperation with other specialized bodies in the Arab and Islamic world. The establishment of the Centre marks the third phase of the ATHAR programme. Its creation will ensure sustainability and achievement of the programme's overall goal of protecting and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Arab region through broadened access, appreciation, and understanding of its past.

Support for the programme was additionally given at the latest ALECSO Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Arab Region in its 17th session in October of last year in Doha, Qatar, when the UAE first offered to host the Regional Centre.

In conclusion, His Highness stressed the importance of raising public awareness and understanding in the field of cultural heritage, and using this knowledge to enhance cultural dialogue and develop cultural policies in the Arab and Muslim world. He also welcomed support for the Centre from other regional and international organizations including the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO), the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), and UNESCO.

The Director General also held meetings with Mr. Mohammad Al-Muhairi, Director General of Tourism and Antiquities of UAE, and Mr. Bilal Al-Budour, Deputy Minister of Culture of UAE. Discussions addressed collaboration mechanisms and consolidation of the Regional Centre’s role in serving the needs of Arab Member States.

updated on: 20 September, 2011