National Archives, Regional Conference for Preservation of Documentary Heritage commences Tuesday

The National Archives of Qatar marks Tuesday the commencement of the regional conference on "Memory in Heritage: Fostering Co-operation on Documentary Heritage in the Arab Region”.It organised by the National Archives in partnership with Unesco.The two-day conference will be held at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha, bringing together international and regional experts, decision-makers, and representatives of national libraries, museums, and archives from across the Arab world.This event, which underscores Qatar’s commitment to its leadership in fostering cultural co-operation and safeguarding Arab documentary heritage, is aimed at developing innovative solutions to address the major challenges threatening this cultural legacy, such as climate change, regional conflicts, and limited technical resources.The conference also seeks to establish mechanisms that ensure the sustainability of Arab documentary heritage while enhancing its role as a source of cultural identity and a cornerstone for global cultural dialogue."Hosting this regional conference reaffirms Qatar’s steadfast commitment to leading Arab efforts in protecting documentary heritage,” said National Archives secretary-general Dr Ahmed Abdullah al-Buainain. "The National Archives of Qatar continues to act as a hub for experts and decision-makers to discuss current challenges and develop innovative strategies that enhance the sustainability of this cultural legacy.”"This event is a pivotal moment for unifying efforts and promoting international co-operation to ensure that Arab documentary heritage remains an integral part of cultural identity and a source of global inspiration,” he said.Salah Khaled, Unesco Representative for the Gulf States and Yemen and Director of the Unesco Office in Doha, said: "The conference will explore solutions to these challenges through regional collaboration.”"One key initiative is the proposed establishment of a regional Memory of the World Committee to enhance the representation of Arab documentary heritage on the global stage,” he said. "This regional register is a crucial step toward strengthening co-operation among national committees and institutions.”"It will highlight the Arab region’s contributions to science, culture, communication, and education, ensuring stronger representation at the international level,” Khaled added.