(National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters): Stakeholders support UNESCO's efforts to protect cultural and natural heritage
Kuwait City, 24 July (KUNA) -- The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters affirmed Kuwait’s continued commitment to supporting the efforts of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to protect cultural and natural heritage and to enhance its presence at international forums concerned with heritage, thereby contributing to consolidating cultural cooperation and exchanging expertise with member states and relevant international organizations. This was stated in a statement issued by the Council on the sidelines of Kuwait’s current participation in the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, held in the city of Busan, Republic of Korea. The Kuwaiti delegation is headed by its Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Ambassador Dr. Ali Al-Mutairi, and includes the Council’s Secretary-General, Dr. Mohammed Al-Jassar, along with several specialists in the fields of cultural and natural heritage.
The Council noted that the World Heritage Committee is one of UNESCO’s most prominent committees, tasked with implementing the 1972 Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. It does so by reviewing nomination files for new sites to be inscribed on the World Heritage List, assessing the state of conservation of listed sites, and making decisions regarding their protection and preservation of their outstanding universal value. The Committee also discusses policies and programs aimed at strengthening international cooperation in heritage conservation.
It was clarified that Kuwait won a seat on the Committee, becoming one of the 21 member states representing the Arab States group for a four-year term, following elections held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris in November 2025.
The Council pointed out that the current session is expected to discuss a number of heritage nominations submitted by various countries around the world, as well as review reports on the conservation of previously inscribed sites. It will also examine mechanisms to support State Parties in fulfilling their obligations under the Convention, enhance capacity-building, and exchange technical expertise in the management and conservation of heritage sites.
The Kuwaiti delegation will, on the sidelines of the session, participate in coordination meetings and bilateral meetings with several participating delegations and UNESCO officials to explore cooperation opportunities in heritage conservation, exchange technical expertise, and benefit from international best practices in the management of cultural and natural heritage sites, thereby supporting national efforts to protect cultural heritage and enhance its sustainability.
The 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee kicked off on July 19 at the BEXCO Convention and Exhibition Center in Busan and will continue until July 29, with the aim of protecting world heritage and strengthening international cooperation. (End) S.H.D./M.Kh.
