Sheikh Jassim attends heritage conference

HH Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, Personal Representative of HH the Emir, yesterday attended the closing session of the two-day Conference on Safeguarding Endangered Cultural Heritage, held in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi.
The session was attended by a number of heads of states and governments as well as Sheikhs, ministers, senior officials and other guests.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces has urged all countries to work together to curb the illicit trade in antiquities and protect archaeological sites and cultural heritage from violence and terrorism during armed conflicts.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s call came in his speech delivered at the closing session of the Safeguarding Endangered Cultural Heritage Conference, a joint initiative of Sheikh Mohamed and the French President, Francois Hollande, in the presence of a number of foreign heads of states, prime ministers, ministers and dignitaries.
“This conference gives us the chance to call on governments worldwide to work together to safeguard global human heritage, which, as a result of civil wars, conflicts, terrorism and trafficking of antiquities by criminal gangs, has been more endangered than ever.
‘’These disruptions and crimes aim at erasing the memories of entire nations and destroying their human heritage.
‘’Needless to say, any damaging actions against our human heritage are rejected by all religions, norms and international charters,” Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed said.
Later, HH Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani attended the luncheon banquet hosted by Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.
The function was held in honour of the leaders, heads of states and governments and delegations participating in the Cconference on Safeguarding Endangered Cultural Heritage.
Later, HH Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani left Abu Dhabi after participating in the conference.
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and the accompanying delegation were seen off at Abu Dhabi International Airport by Chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Qatar’s ambassador to the UAE, Hadi bin Nasser Mansour al-Hajri, UAE ambassador to Qatar Saleh Mohamed bin Nasra al-Ameri, and members of the Qatari embassy in Abu Dhabi.