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UNESCO conference marks pivotal milestone for Saudi Arabia and Arab region documentary heritage
Organized by UNESCO under the patronage of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU), the hybrid conference gathered over 50 international experts from 36 organisations, including high-level representatives, scholars, and cultural heritage professionals. The conference aimed to spotlight the global significance of Arab documentary heritage and explore how innovative preservation approaches can support sustainable development. Over the course of two days, more than 750 participants engaged in vibrant discussions ranging from the evolution of the Arabic language and script; regional cooperation on documentary heritage, the fight against illicit trafficking, to using artificial intelligence and indigenous knowledge to preserve documentary heritage.
Taking stock of the underrepresentation of Arab heritage on the Memory of the World (MoW) International Register—dedicated to safegaurding and promoting documentary heritage—participants noted that the region accounts for only 3% of global inscriptions. They discussed the urgency of addressing this gap and building on recent initiatives, including the , which signals a collective commitment by memory institutions and governments to reverse this trend.
Furthermore, it highlighted the need to develop a Gulf-wide MoW digital platform and atlas. This initiative will be supported by outreach campaigns and capacity-building workshops aimed at empowering emerging memory institutions across the region and enhancing the preservation and accessibility of documentary heritage.
The conference also helped strengthen regional collaboration following the creation of the Memory of the World Committee for the Arab Region (MOWCAR) in January 2025 — a major milestone in building shared frameworks for preservation and advocacy across Arab countries.
In Saudi Arabia, increased collaboration with the MoW Programme through the UNESCO-RCU partnership for the Preservation of Documentary Heritage in AlUla has resulted in capacity-building workshops training memory institutions and cultural heritage professionals in the country, enhancing their understanding of core principles in the identification, preservation and access to Saudi Arabian documentary heritage. In 2024, activities ranged from hands-on training in conservation, disaster preparedness, and digital preservation for heritage professionals, to participatory sessions that brought together local educators, rangers, Rawis, and cultural stakeholders to collectively reflect on the value of documentary heritage and the role of communities in its safeguarding.
Complementing these efforts, the partnership also supported the establishment of a technical committee on MoW within the Saudi Arabian National Commission for UNESCO, laying the groundwork for the future creation of a fully-fledged national committee of the MoW Programme in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has emerged as a leader, advancing a forward-looking agenda to promote and preserve documentary heritage in the region.
With Saudi Arabia’s leadership and UNESCO’s global framework, the momentum from this conference promises to enhance the recognition and presence of Arab documentary heritage in the global cultural narrative — preserved, celebrated, and accessible for future generations.
The preservation of our documentary heritage is not merely an academic or archival concern — it is a global imperative...Together, we are not just protecting documents; we are protecting meaning, continuity, and the ability to learn from the past.
The conference also saw the launch of a new UNESCO publication, . Developed under the UNESCO–RCU partnership the study explores ’s ancient inscriptions and their role in promoting intercultural dialogue, cultural identity, and historical understanding. The publication, presented at the conference, shines a spotlight on ’s unique documentary heritage and amplifies local community voices as key guardians of this legacy.
Running alongside the conference, a special exhibition on AlUla and Saudi Arabia’s documentary heritage offered participants an immersive experience into the region’s historical records — from rock inscriptions and manuscripts to maps and archival materials. The exhibition underscored the importance of visual storytelling as a means for understanding the history of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Region.
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