23 March. In the framework of the ATHAR programme’s activities for 2012, the Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi received the Director-General, Dr Stefano De Caro on 8 March in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. At the meeting, a number of topics related to the establishment of the Regional ATHAR Centre at University City were reviewed in addition to the Centre’s upcoming activities to be held in 2012. At the meeting, His Highness and the Director-General also discussed the composition of the consultative board of the Centre, and its role in contributing to the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage in the Arab Region. The Director-General was accompanied by Dr Zaki Aslan, ATHAR Programme Manager and Director of the Regional Centre for conservation and management of cultural heritage in the Arab region. Also present were Ms Manal Ataya, Director-General of the Sharjah Museums Department, Mr Abdel Aziz Al-Mussallam Al-Khalidi, Director of Heritage in Sharjah and current ICCROM Council Member, as well as Mr Peter Jackson, Architect Adviser of the Ruler’s Office.

Following this encounter, the Director-General and Dr Aslan responded to an invitation by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman, and were received on 10 March by H.E. Mr Salem bin Mohammad Al-Mahrouqi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, and Mr Hassan Al-Lawati, Director-General of Antiquities in Muscat. The meeting discussed collaboration work with the Regional ATHAR Centre and ICCROM in the areas of capacity building and training.

updated on: 23 March, 2012