Doha, Jan. 23 (Petra) -- A regional conference titled "Memory in Heritage: Fostering Cooperation on Documentary Heritage in the Arab Region" concluded in Doha, emphasizing the need to strengthen Arab representation in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Program.

The event called for leveraging the expertise of national committees in countries such as Jordan, Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, and Tunisia, alongside subcommittees within the GCC region.

Organized by the Qatar National Library in collaboration with UNESCO, the conference showcased successful regional initiatives and highlighted the critical role of collaboration in overcoming local challenges.

Delegates shared inspiring case studies, illustrating how collective action can secure sustainable and impactful representation in UNESCO’s International Register.

The conference convened leading international and regional experts, decision-makers, and representatives from national libraries, museums, and archives across the Arab world.

It concluded with a key recommendation to establish a dedicated regional committee for the Arab world under the Memory of the World Program.

This committee would serve as a unified platform to coordinate efforts, enhance regional collaboration, and elevate the Arab region’s presence in global heritage preservation initiatives.

Participants underscored the importance of this committee in fostering synergy across Arab nations. By adopting global best practices and tailoring them to the cultural and administrative contexts of the region, the committee would aim to ensure better representation of Arab heritage in the international arena.

During the conference, Linh Anh Moreau from UNESCO Bangkok Office presented procedural guidelines for forming effective regional committees, emphasizing the value of institutionalized cooperation in streamlining the preparation of proposals and projects under the Memory of the World Program.

Moreau also highlighted the need to establish robust networks to support documentary heritage, which would enhance both regional efficiency and global visibility.

Ming-Kuok Lim, Advisor for Communication and Information for UNESCO Office in Rabat, described the formation of a regional committee as a strategic step toward amplifying Arab contributions to international heritage preservation.

He noted that the committee would provide a platform for knowledge exchange, enhance cooperation with global heritage bodies, and strengthen the Arab region’s collective voice on the global stage.

Lim also addressed the challenges limiting Arab representation in the International Register, such as limited awareness of submission standards and insufficient collaboration among national heritage bodies.

He outlined essential strategies to address these gaps, including meticulous documentation, regional coordination, and showcasing the global significance of Arab heritage.

In addition, Lim proposed creating an Arab regional register to reflect the region’s rich documentary heritage. This register would serve as a cornerstone for showcasing the diversity and depth of Arab culture while reinforcing the Arab world’s contribution to global heritage preservation.

The conference closed on an optimistic note, with participants reaffirming their commitment to fostering regional unity and advancing Arab heritage representation in international forums.

//Petra// WH

23/01/2025 10:55:47