Architectural Archaeological Tangible Heritage in the Arab Region (ATHAR)

Since 2004, ICCROM’s Architectural and Archaeological Tangible Heritage in the Arab Region (ATHAR) programme has been a vital part of fulfilling our mandate. This was further enhanced in 2012 with the opening of our Regional Office in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, which took the lead in implementing the ATHAR programme.

With the support of the Government of Sharjah and the Government of the United Arab Emirates, the ICCROM-Sharjah Regional Office has become an important force for cultural heritage education and advocacy in the region, leveraging collaboration among professional networks and communities.

ATHAR contributes to the protection of the Arab region’s rich cultural heritage by promoting its value and encouraging greater access. We empower heritage institutions to manage their sites and museum collections and support regional policy development by bringing together specialists to address diverse themes, including those relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals.