Abu Dhabi seeks to safeguard intangible heritage

ADACH's delegation was headed by Dr. Nasser Ali Al Humairi, Director of the Department of Moral Heritage, and its members included Dr. Awad Ali Saleh, Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO; Dr. Ismail Ali Al Faheel, Moral Heritage Expert at ADACH; Dr. Nick Fox, international falconry expert; and a number of experts and advisers.

The General Assembly discussed the practical means of implementing the convention and on the method of conducting an election the renewal of half of the Members of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

It stressed the importance of the participation of developing countries in all UNESCO activities and events, and the participation of non-governmental organizations from those countries.

Cherif Khaznadar, President of the 2nd General Assembly, praised the UAE for its efforts during the Committee's meetings, and for reaching an agreement to safeguard intangible heritage two years ago.

Saleh said UAE was able to create a unique and strong relationship with UNESCO in the preparation of a comprehensive strategy to preserve intangible cultural heritage, with the strengthening of the necessary legislation.

A regional meeting for Arab States was organized on the 'Implementation of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage: Inventory-making' in Abu in Abu Dhabi from 31 March to 4 April 2007.

Its objectives were to examine different questions relating to the implementation of the 2003 convention; to exchange of experiences in the field of methodologies for the establishment of national inventories; and to discuss of safeguarding approaches of intangible cultural heritage.

Representatives and experts from the 18 Arab countries took part in the meeting held in Abu Dhabi in 2007, in addition to UNESCO representatives, and regional organizations: ALECSO (Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization) and ISESCO (Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and three international participants from Japan, Mali and Vietnam.
Saleh pledged that the UAE will continue to support UNESCO's activities, particularly in assisting African countries with their conservation programmes.

The UAE delegation called for the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee in 2009 to be held in Abu Dhabi, promising to ensure all provision necessary for the success of the Conference.