The World Heritage Site of Al-Hijr in Al-Ula Governorate, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, concluded the ‘Capacity Building Programme for Incorporating Sustainable Development into the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention in the Arab States Region’ in a continued effort to enhance the implementation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention in Arab countries. A workshop was held in person between 8 to 12 September 2024, with the participation of a wide range of experts and specialists from across the Arab region.
The programme was organized in two phases by the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage (ARC-WH) and the Heritage Commission of Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and its SDG Working Group. The workshop in Al-Ula included a series of sessions, seminars, and field visits to Saudi heritage sites, including the archaeological site of Al-Hijr, which was the first site in Saudi Arabia to be inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008.
The workshop was held in collaboration with Saudi National Committee of ICOMOS, the Royal Commission for Al-Ula, and the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science.
The first phase of the programme included a series of online sessions in June 2024, focusing on exchanging ideas and experiences to achieve the programme’s goals. These goals included developing new strategies to ensure the preservation of the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of World Heritage sites in the Arab States while promoting sustainable development.
The programme also aimed to enhance understanding and application of sustainable development concepts and the protection of World Heritage in Arab countries, in addition to integrating the Historic Urban Landscape approach with the 2030 Agenda. It provided a platform for exchanging experiences, knowledge, information, and successful practices in heritage management, conservation, and development.
It is hoped that the capacity building programme will contribute to creating a sustainable balance between the preservation of World Heritage and the promotion of economic and social development in the Arab region. It is also expected to empower World Heritage professionals in the Arab world with various skills and abilities, leading to greater recognition of the role of heritage in sustainable development.
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