The Cultural Heritage Law is an investment in the future of the nation and a protection of its national identity and cultural memory

Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Culture, stressed that true achievement is not measured only by what is built, but rather by what the state is keen to preserve in terms of national identity, authentic heritage and cultural memory that form the basis of its civilizational journey, pointing out that the Cultural Heritage Law represents a strategic step to protect the past and preserve the future at the same time.

He explained in his speech today, Wednesday, during the Federal National Council’s discussion of the draft federal law on cultural heritage, that the Cultural Heritage Law represents the beginning of a new era in which heritage moves from being seasonal activities and occasions to an organized institutional sector, with an integrated system for its management, development and protection, which contributes to enhancing the cultural renaissance of the UAE and consolidating its national identity at the local and global levels.

He said: “The importance of the law stems from its being an integrated legislative framework that consolidates the status of cultural heritage as one of the main pillars of national identity,” explaining that the Ministry was keen for the law to achieve 4 main goals that contribute to creating a qualitative shift in the organization and protection of cultural heritage in the UAE, keeping pace with international best practices and enhancing the sustainability of cultural heritage for future generations.

He explained that the law expanded the scope of protection and regulation in an unprecedented way, as it moved from focusing on protecting antiquities only to a comprehensive system that includes various elements of cultural heritage, including tangible heritage, underwater heritage, architectural heritage, natural heritage, and digital heritage, ensuring the preservation of all components of the country’s cultural heritage.

He added that the law also establishes an integrated national system that meets the requirements for registering, preserving and archiving cultural heritage elements at the local and federal levels, which contributes to unifying national efforts and enhancing the efficiency of managing this vital sector. He pointed out that the new legislation encourages the registration of cultural heritage elements, in a way that enhances their documentation and preservation, and maintains their continuity as an integral part of the Emirati identity.

He pointed out that the law includes an integrated system of licenses and permits, in addition to penalties and administrative sanctions against those who commit violations related to cultural heritage, including smuggling heritage objects, unlicensed excavation, forgery, distorting heritage elements, or violating the requirements and permits regulating this sector, which contributes to strengthening the protection of cultural heritage from any practices that harm it.

Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qasimi stressed that heritage and cultural memory represent the “silent language” through which people express their identity, values ​​and history, stressing that preserving them is an investment in the future of the nation, and not just a protection of its past.