GLACIER BAY, ALASKA – A delegation from Saudi Arabia participated in the fourth session of the World Conference of Managers of World Maritime Heritage Sites, organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), at the Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska in the United States. A number of specialists, experts, UNESCO officials and representatives of the entities involved in the management of the most prominent sites of the marine environment and heritage around the world participated in the event. The conference discussed the experiences and challenges related to world marine heritage, especially the management, development and preservation of the world heritage sites. Saudi Arabia participated in the conference for the first time, represented by a delegation led by the Ministry of Culture and experts from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, as well as officials from mega projects being implemented in the context of Vision 2030 such as NEOM, Red Sea Project and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. The Ministry of Culture said that its sponsorship of this global event is a reflection of its commitment to support international efforts to protect marine heritage sites and natural wonders around the world. The Kingdom is making significant efforts in the management of coral reefs in the Red Sea, using the latest technology and in collaboration with a number of specialized experts at the highest levels, to provide the experience of coral reefs and marine environment in the Red Sea as a pilot experiment at the level of marine environments around the world. Coral reefs in the north of the Red Sea are a global focus for their remarkable resilience to climate change, becoming a model of a hopeful experience in managing coral reef sites in other parts of the world. Taking into account the importance of coral reefs in the Red Sea and other distinct marine systems and environments in Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Culture has been working with UNESCO, as a member of the World Heritage Convention since 1978, to classify coral reefs in the Red Sea and other unique sites in the Red Sea as UNESCO as sites protected and listed as a World Heritage Site, with the aim of protecting them as important natural assets for future generations. The ministry has established a special working group for this purpose and this group participated in the Alaska conference. In a message to the opening session of the conference, Minister of Culture Prince Badr Bin Abdullah Bin Farhan said that coral reefs on the Kingdom's coasts in the Red Sea are among the most resilient in the face of the challenges of climate change, which makes them more important internationally. "Our ecosystem and natural environment are vital to the health and safety of our planet, as well as to our future in Saudi Arabia, which is why we are committed to working together to preserve, nurture and care for our marine heritage," he said. The Kingdom's delegation pointed out that all commitments made by the Kingdom toward preserving the common human heritage, improving its ability to adapt to global challenges, especially climate change, and reducing other pressures, are also building blocks that support the Kingdom in its preparations for its role and global status. For her part, the coordinator of the World Maritime Heritage Program Dr. Fannie Dover welcomed the participation of Saudi Arabia, highlighting the Kingdom's role in this regard. "The list of 50 World Heritage sites is currently the most valuable asset in the oceans around the world, but it faces many challenges. We look forward to supporting Saudi Arabia in this field, to implement solutions learned from the Kingdom's experiences, and to work out a path for future together, to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals of 2030," she said.
