• Three online sessions of the World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum are taking place in June and July before an in-person meeting in September hosted by Saudi Arabia. 
• The sessions will equip participants with the right tools, resources and knowledge required to ensure the effective management of World Heritage properties.  

RIYADH, 25^th JUNE, 2023 (GPN): – The 5^th edition of the World Heritage Site Managers’ Forum began last week, with the first of three online sessions, ahead of an in-person conference in September, which will be held in Riyadh.

The first online session provided an introduction to the Forum, the World Heritage system and framework, and the participants. It discussed heritage conservation and monitoring processes, as well as the tools and resources available for World Heritage Site Managers and other professionals working in the World Heritage site management systems across the world.

Two further online sessions will be held on 4 July and 13 July that will delve deeper into topics such as management requirements and approaches, the significance of heritage, the outstanding universal value of heritage sites and their attributes, and factors affecting World Heritage properties around the globe. In addition, the sessions will cover the types of issues that could arise at the sites and the different management responses needed to solve them. Participants will also get a chance to share their experiences and learn from others through group discussions and interactive activities.

Held under the theme of ‘Managing World Heritage for the Next 50 Years’, the World Heritage Managers’ Forum is organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture represented by the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture and Science and the Heritage Commission, alongside the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the ICCROM-IUCN World Heritage Leadership Program, in partnership with ICOMOS. The Forum is held in conjunction to the extended 45th session of the World Heritage Committee.

Saudi Heritage Commission CEO, Dr Jasir Al Herbish, said, “World Heritage properties all over the world continuously face threats and challenges caused by a range of factors including natural disasters, development, climate change and other issues. Faced with these numerous and complex challenges, World Heritage Site Managers need to be supported and equipped with the means to ensure the long-term sustainability of their sites. That is why this Forum is especially important for anyone working in this field. We are honoured that Saudi Arabia is playing a leading role in facilitating discussion and cooperation in the pursuit of impactful outcomes that will protect world heritage sites for generations to come.”

Facilitating cooperation and action-orientated coordination in heritage management and conservation, the Forum serves to strengthen an international network of heritage experts, World Heritage Site Managers and professionals as they formulate policies and programmes that advance the sustainable development of the heritage sector in support of the work of the World Heritage Committee.Ends