In a significant move to enhance cultural heritage preservation in the Arab world, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, signed the renewal of a five-year agreement for the regional centre for cultural heritage preservation, “ICCROM-Sharjah”. The signing took place at Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi’s residence in the University City on Tuesday morning, formalising the ongoing partnership between the Government of Sharjah and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM).
This renewed agreement, signed by ICCROM’s Director-General, Aruna Francesca Maria Gohral, aims to strengthen the role of the “ICCROM- Sharjah” regional centre. It reflects the shared vision of both the Government of Sharjah and ICCROM, focusing on placing heritage at the heart of human development, serving as a catalyst for economic and social growth, stability, and peace.
Under the new terms, ICCROM- Sharjah will implement projects with specialists, experts, site managers, and craftsmen from the Arab world and beyond. These projects will facilitate learning and sharing of conservation techniques, disaster risk management practices, climate adaptation strategies, and improve craftsmanship skills necessary for the betterment of communities’ livelihoods.
Moreover, ICCROM- Sharjah will continue to establish itself as a centre of excellence through various innovative initiatives aimed at building capacity in the field of cultural heritage. The centre plans to undertake numerous educational, academic, and research projects while fostering fruitful collaborations with various entities and supporting communities in executing joint projects across the Arab region.
Following the signing ceremony, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah received a commemorative plaque from ICCROM, in recognition of his unwavering support and patronage of the cultural heritage preservation efforts.
Present at the ceremony were notable figures including Dr Abdul Aziz Muslim, Head of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage; Abubakar Al Kindi, Director of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage; Nasser Al Darmaki, Director of the regional ICCROM- Sharjah centre; along with several specialists.