Doha: Qatar chaired on Tuesday the 27th Conference on Archaeology and Cultural Heritage in the Arab World, reflecting Qatar's growing role in preserving Arab heritage.

Minister of Education and Higher Education HE Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater who is also Chairperson of the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, assumed the presidency of the 27th session from HE Director-General of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar.

The inugural ceremony was held at the opening of the conference, hosted by Qatar Museums (QM), in cooperation with the ALECSO.

The three-day conference, held under the theme "Sustainability of Cultural Heritage: Challenges and Future Strategies," was attended by a number of distinguished guests, officials, and archaeology experts representing 22 Arab countries.

In her opening remarks, HE Al Khater underlined the importance of preserving Arab cultural heritage as a pillar of national identity and sustainable cultural development.

She noted that protecting heritage is not the sole responsibility of specialized institutions, but rather a collective duty stemming from the belief in the right of the Arab people to tell their story and pass it on to future generations.

Her Excellency praised the pioneering role of HE Chairperson of Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani, who has made culture and heritage the heart of national development and a bridge to creativity.

She emphasized that culture has become a vital force that connects the past to the present and establishes new visions for dialogue and innovation at the regional and global levels.

Her Excellency explained that this year's conference comes at a critical moment that calls for a redefinition of the concept of heritage protection.

This protection goes beyond physical preservation from erosion and neglect, but rather encompasses the preservation of memory and cultural heritage as an effective force in the conscience of peoples and in shaping future generations.

She emphasized that the State of Qatar has made significant strides in integrating heritage protection into its national policies, through cooperation between the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, Qatar Museums, and ALECSO, to develop national initiatives that protect tangible and intangible heritage and address the environmental and human challenges threatening archaeological sites.

She noted the destruction and devastation of Arab heritage in a number of sister countries, affirming Qatar's support for joint Arab efforts to preserve heritage and protect the dignity of Arab people. She also emphasized solidarity with the Palestinian and Sudanese peoples in facing current challenges.

The ceremony of Qatar assuming the presidency of the current session of the conference included the issuance of the "Doha Youth Declaration 2025," which embodies the visions and aspirations of the new generation of Arab researchers toward a more sustainable future for cultural heritage.

The declaration represents an open invitation to unify efforts between cultural and academic institutions in the Arab world, emphasizing the role of youth in leading future cultural work with a spirit of innovation and responsibility.

For his part, CEO of Qatar Museums Mohamed Saad Al Rumaihi, said in his speech that hosting the conference embodies shared commitment to protecting the rich cultural heritage of our Arab nation and ensuring its continuity for future generations.

He added that Qatar Museums' hosting of this conference coincides with its 20th anniversary celebrations, and that through the launch of the 18-month "Nation of Progress" campaign, it honors Qatar's vibrant cultural journey while renewing its commitment to shaping a vibrant and creative cultural landscape, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

The CEO of Qatar Museums reiterated the commitment to continuing to build a vibrant cultural scene that aligns with national aspirations and Qatar National Vision 2030, describing the conference as a stimulating platform for constructive dialogue and the exchange of knowledge and expertise, and a space for innovating solutions to address environmental, social, and technological challenges that touch upon our shared cultural reality.

Al Rumaihi said that the Doha Youth Declaration 2025 highlights the contributions of young researchers, affirming their pivotal role in shaping a future based on authenticity and a spirit of collective responsibility.

In his speech, HE ALECSO Director-General, Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, emphasized that the current session of the conference is in line with the current phase, given the challenges facing heritage, including climate change and human encroachment.

This requires establishing a concept of awareness of these risks and achieving heritage sustainability as part of comprehensive development.

He praised the efforts of the State of Qatar to preserve Arab heritage, represented by Qatar Museums, by hosting this conference. The activities of this edition are advanced and keep pace with global developments in the field of heritage preservation and sustainability.

He stated that the importance of the conference also lies in its being an important occasion to discuss successful Arab experiences in heritage preservation, with the aim of achieving a cognitive dimension. He pointed to ALECSO's tireless efforts to protect heritage in general and its relationship with youth in particular.

For his part, Director of the Culture Department at the League of Arab States, Yousef Badr Al Mishari, noted that the League's participation in the conference embodies the commitment of Arab countries to preserving their shared cultural and civilizational heritage and reflects a deep awareness of the importance of protecting and preserving Arab heritage as a foundation of identity and a source of pride and belonging.

He expressed his gratitude to the State of Qatar for hosting this event, which reflects its continued commitment to supporting joint Arab cultural action.

He noted the efforts of ALECSO in protecting and supporting Arab heritage at various levels, whether through programs and initiatives or through its ongoing support for national and regional projects.

He emphasized the League of Arab States' commitment to protecting Arab heritage,by adopting resolutions aimed at protecting cultural property, supporting the inscription of Arab sites on the World Heritage List, and other efforts aimed at preserving the shared Arab heritage and protecting its artifacts, which represent the nation's memory and present-day identity.

Director of International Cooperation at Qatar Museums Dr. Fatema Al Sulaiti affirmed in a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that Qatar's hosting of the 27th edition of the conference underscores its pivotal role in leading joint Arab cultural efforts and reflects its vision of integrating culture and heritage into sustainable development.

She noted that Qatar does not view heritage merely as a celebrated past, but as a cornerstone of its contemporary identity and a bridge to the future. Through this conference, Doha reaffirms its position as a platform for Arab dialogue in the fields of culture and antiquities, and as a destination that welcomes minds and expertise dedicated to preserving the shared Arab memory and elevating its global presence.

The 27th edition's sessions address key issues such as heritage protection strategies amid urban and environmental transformations, the role of local communities and international partnerships in safeguarding heritage, and the use of modern technologies and digitization in documenting and managing archaeological sites.

The conference also highlights Arab experiences in balancing development with cultural identity preservation, offering a valuable opportunity for experts, decision-makers, and specialists to exchange insights and shape collective strategies for heritage protection.

Speaking to QNA, ALECSO's Director of Culture Dr. Humaid bin Saif Al Noufli said the full participation of 22 Arab countries reflects a shared commitment to protecting cultural heritage.

He emphasized that the conference comes at a time when environmental and social challenges are accelerating, posing threats to heritage sites and making Arab cooperation indispensable.

He also praised the launch of the Youth Forum, held for the first time in Doha ahead of the conference, which provided a platform for young people to express their ideas and aspirations and transform them into practical projects serving Arab heritage.

He noted that the inclusive participation underscores the importance of representation and collaboration among Arab nations in preserving shared heritage.

Meanwhile, Khalid Rashid Al Balushi, senior cultural expert at the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science stated that Qatar's hosting of the conference crowns its distinguished efforts in preserving both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, which form an integral part of the nation's identity.

He added that the conference reflects significant pan-Arab efforts in heritage protection and reaffirms Qatar's leading role in supporting joint Arab cultural work.

He highlighted the added value of youth participation, which brings a renewed dimension to the concept of sustainability in cultural heritage, given their potential to carry forward the mission of preservation for future generations.

Al Balushi pointed out the major challenges facing cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, including rapid digital transformations and the spread of artificial intelligence technologies, which may pose risks to documentation and preservation.

He stressed the importance of instilling positive attitudes in youth toward heritage conservation and enabling them to adapt to digital advancements in documentation and protection, while developing a comprehensive strategy to ensure cultural heritage sustainability and enhance its role in Arab cultural and civilizational development.

The conference's first day featured several sessions where officials, researchers, and experts from across the Arab world presented papers on successful heritage preservation experiences, enriching discussions and opening avenues for cooperation and knowledge exchange in heritage sustainability.

The Conference on Archaeology and Cultural Heritage in Arab World serves as a key forum for scientific dialogue, policy exchange, and strategic planning in sustainable heritage management, bringing together policymakers, experts, and academics to address shared challenges and strengthen regional cooperation.

Qatar Museums' hosting of the event reflects its commitment to supporting regional and international efforts to raise awareness of Arab cultural heritage, protect shared human legacy, and build national capacities in archaeological research and heritage conservation.

The conference aims to spotlight the importance of cultural heritage sustainability amid global environmental, technological, and social changes, while developing future strategies based on scientific methods and innovative practices.

It also seeks to elevate heritage as a source of inspiration and knowledge, and a driving force for sustainable development.

Key objectives of the conference include addressing environmental, climatic, and human challenges affecting archaeological and heritage sites in the Arab world; contributing to long-term strategies for cultural heritage sustainability; supporting Arab cooperation in heritage preservation and institutional knowledge exchange; and ensuring that cultural heritage remains a symbol of identity and history, and a source of creativity and inspiration for current and future generations.

Preceding the conference was the inaugural Arab Youth Forum, held under the theme "Empowering Arab Youth for Sustainable Heritage" last Sunday, in collaboration between Qatar Museums and ALECSO, with participation from officials, experts, and specialists in antiquities representing 22 Arab countries.

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