UAE fund to support world heritage restoration and rehabilitation projects in Africa

  • Date: 25-May-2023
  • Source: Zawya
  • Sector:Tourism
  • Country:UAE
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UAE fund to support world heritage restoration and rehabilitation projects in Africa

The United Arab Emirates, represented by the Ministry of Culture and Youth and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has announced a fund to support world heritage, document conservation and capacity building initiatives at a number of sites across Africa.

The fund will be launched in collaboration with the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) and the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF).

The announcement came during an event held by the Africa Group at UNESCO headquarters in the French capital, Paris, coinciding with Africa Day celebrations on May 25 and Africa Week.

The event was attended by Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture and Youth; Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations of UNESCO; Souayibou Varissou, Executive Director of the African World Heritage Fund; and Valéry Freland, Executive Director of the International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas (ALIPH).

Ambassadors and Permanent Delegates to UNESCO, and representatives of non-governmental organisations and the private sector were also present at the event.

The Ministry of Culture and Youth will represent the UAE, and become a Platinum Partner of the African World Heritage Fund.

The African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) is an intergovernmental organisation created