"Sharjah Antiquities" divorce "World Heritage Office"

Sharjah, May 13 / WAM / The Sharjah Archeology Authority launched the Sharjah World Heritage Office in an institutional step aimed at enhancing the inclusion and management of World Heritage sites in the emirate and coordinating efforts related to the protection of sites listed and nominated for inclusion on the lists of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in accordance with the highest international standards.

The launch of the office comes in light of the issuance of the Emiri Decree by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, approving the general organizational structure of the Authority, and in conjunction with the inclusion of the Al Faya site on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025, which reflects Sharjah’s transition to a more advanced stage in managing its cultural and natural heritage through a permanent work system that combines scientific research, preparation of nomination files, documentation, site protection, and coordination with relevant local, federal, and international bodies.

The office specializes in developing and managing nomination files for sites of exceptional universal value in the emirate and administrative follow-up of sites included on the World Heritage List and the Preliminary List, in addition to preparing digital databases and accurate records for cultural heritage sites and special studies that serve world heritage in a way that supports monitoring, documentation and protection work and enhances the emirate’s readiness for future nominations based on clear scientific and institutional standards. The office also launched the Al-Faya Research Grant, which it supervises in coordination with the Scientific Committee of the Al-Faya World Heritage Site, which is an international grant with a total of two million dirhams. In the name of the Government of Sharjah.

His Excellency Issa Yousef, Director General of the Sharjah Archeology Authority, said: The launch of the World Heritage Office represents an important step in developing the system for managing heritage sites in Sharjah, especially after the inclusion of the Al Faya site on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This achievement placed on us a greater responsibility to protect sites of exceptional universal value and ensure their management in accordance with international standards in a way that preserves their authenticity, integrity, and scientific and human value for future generations.

He added: The vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah established an advanced approach in dealing with heritage as part of human knowledge and not just a witness to the past. From this standpoint, the office is working to transform this vision into a clear institutional framework that links scientific research with sustainable protection and supports Sharjah’s presence in international platforms concerned with world heritage.

The World Heritage Office cooperates with the competent authorities inside and outside the country. The office also works to follow up on the nominated and listed sites, develop their management, protection and preservation plans, and prepare the periodic reports required by the World Heritage Center and relevant international organizations in a way that ensures the sustainability of the exceptional universal value of these sites and supports the emirate’s obligations towards the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 1972.

The office’s scope of work includes proposing and developing local policies, legislation and regulations related to the management of World Heritage sites in line with national legislation and international best practices in this field.

The office also coordinates with relevant government agencies to develop and update urban planning and development requirements in the areas surrounding listed and qualified sites to ensure a balance between development requirements and protecting the historical and cultural value of the sites. This includes implementing heritage impact assessment studies for development projects and infrastructure to ensure their compliance with internationally approved protection standards.

The office is working on creating comprehensive digital databases for World Heritage sites and nominated sites in the emirate and linking them to the archaeological monitoring and documentation systems approved by the Authority, in a way that enhances the accuracy of the data, facilitates monitoring the status of the sites, and supports decision-making in protection and management work.

The office also enhances cooperation with UNESCO, ISESCO, ICCROM, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the International Union for Conservation of Nature and other specialized organizations with the aim of exchanging experiences, building capabilities, and representing Sharjah in international forums and meetings concerned with World Heritage.

In addition to its technical and institutional role, the office implements local and international awareness programs to enhance society’s understanding of the importance of World Heritage sites and their role in protecting cultural identity and supporting sustainable development, in addition to building local capabilities and consolidating Sharjah’s position within the map of common human heritage.

The office is working to form advisory and technical committees that include local and international experts to support the preparation of nomination files, evaluate sites, and review management and protection plans in order to enhance the chances of international recognition of sites that possess exceptional global value in the emirate.

The launch of the World Heritage Office confirms Sharjah’s commitment to protecting its cultural and natural heritage according to a long-term scientific and institutional approach that strengthens the emirate’s position as a center for research, knowledge and heritage preservation and contributes to presenting its historical and natural sites as part of the common human memory.

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