Saudi Arabia has been voted to become part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee for the first time last November 27, Saudi Gazette reported.
This came after becoming a member of UNESCO’s Executive Board and the Information for All Program (IFAP)
In an interview with Saudi Gazette, the Minister of Culture and Chairman of the National Commission for Education, Sciences and Culture Prince Badr Bin Abdullah Bin Farhan said the newly acquired membership shows the Kingdom’s commitment to enhance its cultural sector.
“This also reaffirms the confidence of the international community in the Kingdom’s standing and its role in supporting the conservation and preservation of the World Heritage,” Saudi Gazette quoted him as saying.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee evaluates areas that have the potential to be on the World Heritage List, and for making sure they are well-maintained. It is also the one that decides which property will be included or removed from the list of World Heritage in Danger.
Saudi Arabia has five sites included on the World Heritage List, including Al-Hijr (Madain Saleh) in Al Ula governorate, the Historic Diriyah, the Historic Area in Jeddah, the rock paintings in Jubbah and Shuwaymis, and the Oasis of Al-Ahsa.
