Paris, July 07 (QNA) – The State of Qatar is participating in the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which is being held from July 6 to 16 at the organization’s headquarters in Paris, France.
Qatar’s participation in this session comes as a member of the World Heritage Committee, elected in November 2021 and serving until November 2025. Qatar plays a pivotal role in supporting cultural heritage issues in the Arab region, representing the Arab Group as vice-chair of the committee.
HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to UNESCO Dr. Nasser bin Hamad Al Hanzab told Qatar News Agency (QNA) that Qatar’s participation comes within the framework of its commitment to supporting international efforts to protect human heritage, especially in conflict zones, emphasizing that Qatar plays a fundamental role in defending the interests of world heritage, particularly in the Arab region, through its continuous support for UNESCO’s efforts as well as through its direct initiatives aimed at protecting heritage sites at risk.
His Excellency explained that his speech during the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee reflected the State of Qatar’s commitment to its moral and cultural responsibility to enhance global awareness of the importance of heritage and encourage international cooperation to preserve and transmit it to future generations, especially in view of the increasing challenges of climate change and conflicts, particularly in light of the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza.
UNESCO also announced that it has been closely monitoring the damage to cultural sites in Gaza since October 2023, using satellite imagery, and is prepared to intervene as soon as the situation on the ground improves.
Previous reports from the Palestinian Ministry of Culture indicated that the Israeli occupation authorities destroyed more than 200 archaeological and historical sites in Gaza.
This year, approximately 30 new sites are being considered for inscription on the list, including sites from Poland, Cambodia, Sierra Leone, and the United Arab Emirates. Significant interest is also being shown in nominations from the African continent, such as Bijagos Archipelago Biosphere Reserve (Guinea-Bissau) and the Gola-Tiwai Forests (Sierra Leone), a rare habitat for elephants and other threatened species.
Approximately 250 sites currently inscribed are under review and monitoring during this session, providing a comprehensive picture of the state of World Heritage and the challenges they face. (QNA)