21 June 2018
Gathering More than 60 Directors from 40 Countries, World Heritage Site Managers Forum Kicks off at the Art Center
UNESCO’s “ Heritage Site Managers Forum 2018” has kicked off today, 21 June 2018, at Manama Arts Center, in the presence H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, the President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, Mrs. Mechtild Rössler , Director of the Division for Heritage and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, representatives of The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), The National Heritage Board of Poland, as well a number of world heritage site managers from all around the world coming to attend the forum.
In her inaugural speech, H.E Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa welcomed the participants saying “ The Kingdom of Bahrain welcomes you, Director of the Division for Heritage and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Consultative bodies and all experts taking part in this forum aimed at enhancing the role of world heritage site managers”. H.E has pointed out that this is an opportunity for world heritage site managers from all over the world to come together and build stronger bridges between the procedural core of the World Heritage system and its outer segments – those in the field whose ongoing work to safeguard OUV constitute the real expression of the Convention. H.E lauded the extraordinary work undertaken by world heritage site managers, saying “ Your work is wonderful given that it safeguards our universal heritage and preserve it for the future generations”. H.E also expressed sincere appreciation and gratitude to all those who have contributed to the success of this important forum and to the participants.
Mrs. Mechtild Rössler, for her part, said that there are today more than 1000 natural and cultural heritage sites, adding that the biggest challenge is how to safeguard them in a very challenging and ever changing world. Mrs. Mechtild Rössler has argued that world heritage site managers are the first protection line to keep these sites safe and durable, adding that this forum will help them identify and determine the threats and challenges they are facing daily. Mrs. Mechtild Rössler ended by sending a message of hope that world heritage site managers creative solutions will certainly guarantee a very impressive outcomes with regard to safeguard of this universal heritage, wishing them all success for their professional and expertise relations.
The “World Heritage Site Managers Forum 2018” held from 21-June 28-Jun-2018, coincides with the 42nd session of the World Heritage Committee, held under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa , May God Protect Him. The forum is organized by Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities, (ICCROM), (IUCN), in cooperation with the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), The National Heritage Board of Poland.
The Forum shed lights on the achievements and recommendations of Poland 1st World Heritage Site Managers , shedding lights after on the emergency situations resulting from conflict that was of the utmost concern in the state of conservation of the World Heritage properties, as the number of properties affected by such situations continued to escalate. Issues of reconstruction, climate change, extractive industries, dams and ground transport infrastructure continued to make up the wide range of problems addressed within the state of conservation reports. Heritage impact assessments, environmental impact assessments and integrated management, decision-making and governance were noted as tools and solutions that could effectively prevent and manage such issues.
65 World Heritage Site Managers from 43 countries are attending the Forum to try to understand and discuss the increased understanding of the World Heritage decision-making processes among site managers, which has become crucial in order to achieve more effective protection of the Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage properties. Such improved understanding will allow the Convention to fulfill its potential as a tool and catalyst for World Heritage protection and heritage protection in general.
Worth to mention that Bahrain Ritz Carlton Hotel has contributed and facilitated the setting of a specially set tent designed for the 42nd session of UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting. Ammar Basheir Designs & Creative art bureau has elaborated the idea of setting a UNESCO village, and that the same bureau had previously promoted Bahrain in UNESCO meetings abroad as a representative of Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities.
