Education Ministry: Ministerial meeting to complete file for nominating Kuwait Towers to World Heritage List

Al-Tabtabaee, Al-Omar, and Al-Mushari Discuss UNESCO Requirements for Kuwait Towers with International Delegation

Completion of technical studies and coordination of government efforts to preserve the historical and architectural value of the towers.

A joint ministerial meeting was held, involving three ministers and an international advisory delegation, to discuss finalizing the nomination file for the Kuwait Towers to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as part of national efforts to safeguard cultural and architectural heritage and enhance Kuwait’s international presence.

The Ministry of Education stated in a press release that the meeting included Minister of Education Eng. Syed Jalal Al-Tabtabaee, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Affairs and Acting Minister of Media and Culture Omar Saud Al-Omar, and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Eng. Abdul Latif Hamed Al-Mushari, attended by representatives of relevant national entities and international experts.

It added that the meeting coincided with the visit of the international advisory delegation to Kuwait from November 9 to 12, to support the nomination process and preserve the historical and cultural status of the Kuwait Towers, considered one of the most prominent national landmarks embodying the country’s architectural renaissance and cultural identity.

The ministry clarified that the meeting was attended by the Secretary-General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, Dr. Mohammed Khaled Al-Jassar; the Assistant Secretary-General for the Arts Sector at the Council, Muassad Mohammed Al-Zamil; the Acting Director of the Kuwait National Commission for UNESCO, Adari Al-Qallaf; Alessandro Basamo, representative of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre; Nicholas Clarke, international expert in cultural heritage at the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS); along with a number of specialists and representatives of relevant entities.

The ministry indicated that the meeting addressed the technical and procedural aspects related to the nomination file, as well as the international requirements and criteria necessary for inscription. It also discussed ways to enhance coordination between national entities and the international advisory delegation, contributing to the completion of the file and highlighting the historical, architectural, and civilizational value of the Kuwait Towers.

The participants also discussed the importance of unifying visions and integrating government efforts to meet accepted international standards and preserve the site’s Outstanding Universal Value, while achieving a balance between the requirements for protecting national heritage and the needs of urban development and expansion.

Participants emphasized the necessity of continuing institutional coordination and completing the required technical studies and documents to support the nomination file, reflecting Kuwait’s commitment to protecting its historical and architectural landmarks and preserving its civilizational legacy for future generations.

The ministry noted that these efforts follow a series of coordination meetings held by relevant authorities in recent months, including a meeting held by the Minister of Education in April 2026, which addressed challenges related to inscribing the Kuwait Towers and water towers on the World Heritage List, and ways to meet the necessary technical and documentary requirements.