The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has inaugurated the International Forum titled “Cultural Heritage and Knowledge Advancement: Promoting a Comprehensive Protection Culture,” which is being held today and yesterday at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi.
The forum, organized in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), features participation from various international organizations, including:
The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), the World Customs Organization, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (AILEF), the Archaeological Alliance, and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).
The forum gathers a distinguished roster of policymakers, scholars, educators, cultural heritage experts, legal professionals, technology specialists, and artists to discuss the connections between culture, knowledge, and heritage preservation. The discussions are set to highlight the social, economic, and historical value of cultural heritage in sustainable development.
Additionally, innovative approaches to knowledge advancement, educational support, creative industries, and the use of technology for regional and global heritage protection will be explored.
Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, stated, “This forum represents an ideal platform for bringing together experts from around the globe to ensure the sustainability of heritage conservation efforts. It is a pivotal achievement in our journey towards enhancing cultural education. Through our close partnership and productive collaboration with UNESCO and other international organizations, we continue our comprehensive endeavors both in the UAE and abroad to elevate its leadership role in initiatives that enable current and future generations to understand, appreciate, and take pride in their cultural heritage as a major driver of sustainable development.”
The organization of this forum is a response to the recommendations from the UNESCO Global Conference on Arts and Culture Education, held in Abu Dhabi in February last year, which brought together ministers of culture and education from around the world.
During that conference, the process of establishing the UNESCO Framework for Arts and Culture Education, initiated in March 2021 by UNESCO member states, was completed, and the final version of this framework was approved to support member and associate countries in its implementation.
This interdisciplinary approach promoted by the forum aims to enhance appreciation for cultural heritage through a better understanding of its historical, social, and economic values, enabling everyone to become active participants in its protection.
By identifying synergies between cultural education and in-depth studies on heritage preservation, stakeholders can develop a more comprehensive and effective strategy for cultural protection.
It is noteworthy that the forum will be followed by five educational programs tailored for various UNESCO agreements and related legal mechanisms, scheduled to take place in May, June, and September 2025.