Organised by Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, inaugural International Forum on Cultural Heritage & Knowledge Development to take place in emirate

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote cultural education and enhance heritage protection, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has launched the inaugural International Forum on Cultural Heritage & Knowledge Development.

The event, organised in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with the participation of international organisations, will take place in Abu Dhabi from 1-2 May 2025.

Participating international organisations include the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT); the International Council of Museums (ICOM); the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS); the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM); the World Customs Organization (WCO); the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); Aliph Foundation (ALIPH); Antiquities Coalition (AC), and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO).

The event will bring together a leading group of policymakers, academics, educators, cultural heritage experts, legal professionals, and technology specialists to explore the intersection of culture, knowledge, and heritage preservation. Discussions will highlight the social, economic, and historical value of cultural heritage in sustainable development, while also exploring innovative approaches to supporting educational systems and creative industries, and the use of technology in regional and global heritage protection efforts.

His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “Organising the International Forum on Cultural Heritage & Knowledge Development in Abu Dhabi is a pivotal milestone in our journey to enhance cultural education and ensure continued efforts in heritage protection. We firmly believe that culture and knowledge form the foundation for preserving and sustaining cultural heritage. Through a strong collaboration with UNESCO and other organisations, DCT Abu Dhabi's integrated efforts in the UAE and abroad continue to lead initiatives that empower current and future generations to understand and cherish their cultural heritage as a key driver of sustainable development. We remain dedicated to driving cultural education strategies and pioneering initiatives which facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen cultural identity. These efforts are anchored in international, regional, and national collaboration, ensuring that cultural heritage remains an integral part of our future.”

This forum is a response to the recommendations of UNESCO’s World Conference on Culture and Arts Education, hosted in Abu Dhabi in February 2024. The conference gathered Ministers of Culture and Education from around the world to finalise the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education, which was initiated in March 2021 by UNESCO Member States, endorsing the final version of the UNESCO Framework to support Member States and Associated States in its implementation.

By implementing the UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education while focusing on Cultural Heritage Protection based on UNESCO’s International Culture Conventions, DCT Abu Dhabi is committed to promoting the crucial role of cultural heritage as an integral part of culture at large, which is directly related to contemporary human creativity.

This interdisciplinary approach will enable the appreciation of cultural heritage by understanding its historical, social, and economic value, empowering the public to become active participants in its preservation. By finding synergies between cultural education and in-depth studies of heritage protection, such as risk management and fighting illicit trade in antiquities, DCT Abu Dhabi is creating a more holistic and impactful approach to cultural preservation, ensuring its transmission and continued relevance for generations to come.

The intensive programme of the forum includes: The UNESCO Framework for Culture and Arts Education (UFCAE) and its Implementation; Digital Transformation in Culture and Arts Education; Strengthening Policy, Governance, Cooperation and Legal Frameworks for Heritage Protection; Cultural Heritage in Crisis and Danger – Strategies for Protection and Recovery; and The Future of Cultural Heritage – Community Development.

The forum will be followed by five education modules, each dedicated to the UNESCO Conventions and related legal instruments, organised in May, June, and September 2025.