Abu Dhabi: A two-day international conference to formulate concrete measures for protecting cultural heritage during armed conflicts across the globe began in the capital on Friday morning.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Shaikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and other top officials of the UAE and around 40 nations across the globe and international organisations attended the opening session of the Safeguarding Endangered Cultural Heritage conference.
An initiative of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and François Hollande, President of France, the conference has attracted the presence of several heads of states.
It will establish an international network of safe havens to protect cultural heritage during armed conflicts, apart from setting up an international fund, said Mohammad Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority.
. @HamdanMohammed, in presence of @HazzaBinZayed, attends
Safeguarding Endangered Cultural Heritage Conference in Abu Dhabi #UAE pic.twitter.com/41ytOLmmT1— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) December 2, 2016
He said the UAE was committed to promote tolerance for peace and welfare of the entire humanity as envisaged by its founding father, Late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Jack Lang, the French President’s representative to the conference, said conference was a historic event to protect humanity’s heritage.
Irina Bokova, Director General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) thanked the UAE and France for supporting the Unesco’s struggle to protect cultural heritage across the world.
Experts from prominent museums across the globe and international organisations are participating in the panel discussions that will suggest concrete measures to protect heritage.
The proposals and recommendations will be incorporated in Abu Dhabi Declaration, which will be announced by the end of the conference on Saturday in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad and Hollande.
The French President will reach Abu Dhabi Friday evening and will attend the UAE National Day celebrations at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
He will have dinner and bilateral meeting with Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed, according to a press release issued by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On Saturday morning, Hollande will visit the Louvre Abu Dhabi construction site along with architect Jean Nouvel.
The President will also meet the French community in Abu Dhabi, one of the largest in the Arab World with over 25,000 people, said the press release.
