The 18th annual meeting of the Arab Expert Committee on World Heritage was held, via Zoom, on June 18, 2025, in preparation for the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place at UNESCO headquarters on July 6-16, 2025.
The meeting was organized by ALECSO in coordination with the State of Kuwait, represented by the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters. It featured the participation of several Arab permanent delegations to UNESCO, along with representatives of relevant bodies from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, and Jordan.
Following opening remarks by Dr. Humaid Al-Nofali, Director of Culture at ALECSO, and by the representative of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, the meeting began with a presentation on the Arab natural and cultural heritage sites inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger, delivered by Dr. Imad Soula, Heritage Expert at ALECSO.
The representative of the State of Palestine then presented a report on the state of heritage sites in the city of Al-Quds, being a permanent agenda item in the meetings of the Arab Expert Committee on World Heritage. This was followed by a presentation from the United Arab Emirates on the “Jebel Faya” nomination file for inscription in the World Heritage List.
The meeting discussed the growing challenges facing Arab heritage and the need for more concerted efforts. Several experts and State representatives offered practical proposals in this regard. Member States were urged to maintain communication and coordination with Qatar and Lebanon, both representing the Arab Group on the World Heritage Committee. Emphasis was also placed on the importance of the meeting to be held on the sidelines of the upcoming session of the World Heritage Committee.
