Qatar Strengthens its Leadership Position in Preserving Arab Documentary Heritage (پاکستان پوائنٹ نیوز 30 أغسطس 2025ء) Doha, August 30, 2025, SPA (FANA) -- In a move that reflects the State of Qatar's commitment to preserving documentary heritage and enhancing regional cooperation, the National Archives of Qatar, in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), announced the establishment of the Memory of the World Committee for the Arab Region (MOWCAR), during the regional conference hosted by Doha in January 2025 under the title ‘Memory in Heritage: Enhancing Cooperation on Documentary Heritage in the Arab Region.’
The conference, organized under the auspices of the National Archives of Qatar and UNESCO, saw the election of Secretary-General of the National Archives of Qatar Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Al Buainain as Chairman of MOWCAR, a step that represents the culmination of Qatar's growing role in supporting Arab documentary memory.
In addition to this achievement, Qatar National Library (QNL) witnessed the opening of the Regional Office for the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) with the aim of enhancing coordination between institutions concerned with preserving documentary heritage in the Arab world and the middle East.
In the same context, the establishment of the Qatari National Committee to implement UNESCO's Memory of the World (MoW) Program was announced as a national mechanism to prepare a national register of documentary heritage under the name Qatari Memory of the World Register. It also proposes documents eligible for World Heritage status for registration in the MoW Register, in addition to the cooperation and coordination with the MoW Program's Secretariat, Gulf regional committee for the MoW Program and the relevant authorities in the country.
In this context, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Chairman of the National Committee on Memory of the World Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali said in a statement to Qatar news Agency (QNA) that the establishment of the National Committee on Memory of the World came as a result of a Cabinet decision to implement the MoW Program, established by the UNESCO to protect and preserve the world's documentary heritage in coordination with the relevant authorities.
He added that the committee is concerned with proposing partnerships with the public and private sectors regarding the implementation of the country's MoW program. It will be activated through the Ministry of Culture and will organize programs, events, and activities to introduce the MoW program and raise awareness of the importance of the preservation of documentary heritage, in coordination with the relevant authorities.
He pointed out that the National Committee on Memory of the World is currently working on collecting documents, developing a mechanism to sort them, classifying the original copies, and working on the MoW project in its initial stages.
During the coming period, it will organize a series of workshops aimed at training in methods of preserving documents, raising awareness of their importance, and shedding light on efforts to preserve them for future generations.
The committee, in cooperation with relevant authorities, also aims to introduce the MoW Program and raise awareness among segments of society about the importance of preserving documentary heritage by organizing several events.
Al Ali affirmed that the State of Qatar attaches great importance to the protection and preservation of documentary heritage, as it constitutes a true and sustainable legacy for future generations. From this standpoint, the National Committee on Memory of the World works closely with UNESCO to coordinate its mandate and implement its tasks and programs.
He said that cooperation with UNESCO is ongoing and intensive, in a way that serves efforts to protect and preserve world documentary heritage, indicating that the State of Qatar is keen to enhance its initiatives in the field of documentary heritage preservation by supporting local, regional, and international efforts to preserve historical documents and raise awareness of their importance. Documentary heritage is one of the fundamental pillars that reflect the identity and history of nations, which makes its protection and preservation a collective responsibility that requires integrated efforts to ensure its sustainability for future generations.
Secretary-General of National Archives of Qatar: Preserving Arab Documentary Heritage is an Integral Responsibility
Considering the transformations taking place in the Arab world and the accompanying increasing risks that threaten national archives and the historical memory of peoples, the importance of the role played by the Memory of the World Committee for the Arab Region (MOWCAR), affiliated with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is highlighted. Last January, the State of Qatar was elected chair of the committee, which reflects the great confidence that the Arab world places in the State of Qatar and its distinguished role in preserving documentary heritage.
In this context, Secretary-General of the National Archives of Qatar and Chairman of MOWCAR Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Al Buainain affirmed in exclusive statements to QNA the importance of preserving Arab documentary heritage, based on it being an integrated responsibility that requires institutional coordination and a strategic vision, pointing to the State of Qatar's efforts to preserve its documentary heritage through an ambitious strategy and leading projects based on advanced infrastructure and high technical expertise in the fields of digital preservation and preventive maintenance.
Dr. Al Buainain explained that MOWCAR represents a regional organizational framework with a strategic function in preserving Arab documentary heritage, as it contributes to raising awareness of the importance of historical documents as an integral part of collective memory and a fundamental lever for the identity of peoples, pointing out that since the launch of the Memory of the World (MoW) Program of the UNESCO in 1992, it relied on an organizational structure that includes two levels of subcommittees: regional, and national committees.
He said that the committee was launched with a pivotal role in coordinating Arab efforts and directing them toward integrated action in addressing the challenges of preservation, documentation, and digitization.
He added that the committee's launch also highlights the importance of Arab documentary heritage, which has not received the utmost representation in the MoW Register, with its representation not exceeding 4%, an unrealistic percentage compared to the size of Arab documentary heritage, its richness, long history, and its vast geographic area.
Dr. Al Buainain affirmed that the committee's approach relies on the principle of regional cooperation as a practical tool for strengthening institutional capacities in Arab countries, as it seeks to direct activities towards joint approaches that include vocational training, expertise transfer, and sharing of best practices in the field of documentary heritage preservation, as well as works to support collective nomination files for the MoW Register, which contributes to enhancing cognitive integration among countries with shared historical or cultural ties.
Regarding the coordination mechanisms adopted between Arab countries within the committee, he explained that the committee adopts an organizational structure based on National Contact Points (NCPs) in each member state, in addition to subcommittees and thematic working groups concerned with various aspects of documentary heritage preservation. The committee also relies on a mechanism of periodic meetings and training workshops, which are held regularly to enhance the exchange of expertise and capacity building, in addition to partnerships with regional and international bodies. This structure contributes to achieving a high level of technical and institutional coordination and enables flexible and integrated field intervention.
Dr. Al Buainain outlined the committee's most prominent plans to preserve Arab documentary heritage in four main areas; the first includes training and rehabilitation, and the organization of specialized training programs in the fields of conservation, indexing, and restoration to raise the efficiency of workers in the archive and documentation centers in the Arab countries, while the second axis depends on digitization, by supporting national and regional projects to convert paper documents into digital copies, which can be preserved in the long term, and facilitate access to them. The importance of the third axis lies in preparing nomination files, by assisting Arab countries in preparing integrated files to register its documents of historical value in UNESCO's MoW Register. Meanwhile, the fourth axis depends on building unified databases, considering the committee seeks to create unified regional databases that allow systematic access to historical documents and enhance the capabilities of scientific research and academic cooperation in this field.
Dr. Al Buainain praised the State of Qatar for its contributions to preserving Arab documentary heritage, describing the State of Qatar as one of the Arab countries that has provided an advanced model in the field of national memory preservation, through its ongoing support for documentary projects with local and regional significance.
He said that the State of Qatar, represented by the National Archives of Qatar, has a forward-looking vision for enhancing national memory by investing in documentary heritage and linking it to sustainable cultural development paths, in addition to its commitment to supporting regional institutions concerned with preserving national heritage.
In this context, he recalled the prominent role played by the National Archives of Qatar in organizing the international conference last January entitled Memory in Heritage: Supporting Documentary Heritage Preservation in the Arab Region. This conference constituted a pivotal event, as it resulted in the inauguration of the regional committee for MOWCAR in coordination with UNESCO, a practical embodiment of the State of Qatar's keenness to represent Qatari documentary heritage in particular, and Arab documentary heritage in general, on the World Heritage List.
He explained that this conference was preceded by UNESCO organizing three virtual meetings, spanning three months, with the participation of a select group of documentary heritage professionals in the Arab world. These meetings were dedicated to discussing various provisions of the statute for the regional committee, in preparation for its final adoption during the conference in Doha, in addition to preparations for the elections to form the committee's executive office during its first session, achieved at the conclusion of the conference.
On the role of the National Archives of Qatar in preserving cultural heritage, he affirmed that it plays a pivotal role in preserving documentary heritage, based on an ambitious strategy, leading projects based on advanced infrastructure, high technical expertise in digital preservation, preventive maintenance, technical processing of documents, which contributes to training competencies, and participates in Arab documentation projects at the regional level, enhancing its position as a leading reference in the region in the field of preserving and protecting historical memory.
Dr. Al Buainain stressed that preserving the Arab documentation heritage is not merely a technical or specialized task, but rather a collective responsibility that requires the combined efforts of all parties, including institutions, researchers, and communities.
He said that a document is more than just a static record; it embodies identity, serves as a tool for building historical awareness, enriches knowledge, and strengthens national and cultural identity for future generations.
Director of National Collection and Special Initiatives at Qatar National Library (QNL) Abeer Saad Al Kuwari affirmed that the QNL's selection as the first Regional Office for the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) in the Middle East and North Africa is a historic achievement for the Arab world, reflecting the QNL's pioneering role in spreading knowledge and heritage preservation.
In exclusive statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al Kuwari said that this selection opens new horizons for enhancing regional cooperation and developing the library sector in the Arab world. It marks a profound strategic step that reflects the State of Qatar's commitment to establish an advanced information and knowledge infrastructure in the Middle East and North Africa, consolidating the partnership based on a shared vision in adopting international standards in the field of information and libraries, while considering the cultural specificity of the region.
Regarding the library's role as the IFLA Regional Office, she explained that the IFLA Regional Office at QNL is a coordination branch of IFLA in the region and is responsible for implementing IFLA's programs and initiatives regionally, in addition to supporting libraries and information institutions in the Arab world. She added that the office facilitates coordination between 22 Arab countries in developing policies and training programs, exchanging visions and experiences with international institutions and libraries, and acting as a link between IFLA and libraries in the Middle East and North Africa, serving as a platform for cooperation and exchange of expertise to improve library services, enhance IFLA's efforts at the regional level, promote regional library activities, and support initiatives to disseminate knowledge and preserve heritage on a broad scale in the Arab world.
She added that the office also contributes to supporting Arab representation in decision-making within the International Federation in an unprecedented manner. Its presence in Doha facilitates access to the global expertise hosted by the QNL through the various activities, exhibitions, and events it organizes, providing QNL with a direct window into global experiences in digitization and physical preservation technologies and facilitates engagement with decision-makers and specialists to launch joint projects in the fields of heritage disaster management and the preparation of qualified personnel in the field of preserving manuscripts and historical documents.
Al Kuwari pointed out that the presence of this Regional Office enhances QNL's capacity to serve cultural heritage, as it provides a platform to launch regional projects aimed at preserving manuscripts and historical documents, as well as combating the illicit trafficking of documentary heritage and heritage treasures in collaboration with partners.
She said they are working to train preservation specialists from various countries on modern conservation and restoration techniques, adding that QNL has led several regional initiatives in this field as the IFLA Preservation and Conservation (PAC) Regional Centre of library materials in the region since 2015. She pointed out that workshops and training courses have been organized to help Arab libraries adopt best practices in document preservation and restoration.
On the other hand, QNL is adopting pioneering efforts to combat illegal trafficking in cultural heritage, through Himaya project, launched to address the smuggling of manuscripts and historical documents in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as cooperation with international bodies such as UNESCO and International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to control these practices and protect the common heritage. All these efforts enhance the protection, preservation, and promotion of Arab and Islamic heritage to ensure its faithful transmission to future generations, and consolidates identity and awareness of the ancient, civilized history, she added.
Regarding QNL's efforts to preserve Arab and Islamic heritage, Al Kuwari said that preserving Arab and Islamic heritage is one of QNL's most important priorities and its core mission, as the library has established the Heritage Library, which houses a vast collection of rare manuscripts, historical books, maps, and photographs, preserving precious treasures that reflect the history of Arab and Islamic civilization. She pointed out that the library has digitized more than 16 million pages of heritage and cultural materials, including manuscripts, books, and maps, and that they will continue this effort to preserve them for future generations.
A few years ago, QNL launched the Qatar Digital Library platform in collaboration with international partners, which makes millions of pages of documentary and historical material available online for free to every researcher and interested person, she said adding that the library also has a specialized Preservation and Conservation Center, the most advanced in the Arab region, where manuscripts and historical documents restored using the latest scientific methods, she added.
In addition to direct research support, QNL regularly organizes lectures, seminars, and exhibitions that shed light on important milestones in the history and heritage of the Arab and Islamic world. This year's most prominent exhibition is on the history of manuscript bookmaking in Morocco.
Regarding the future library plans for heritage preservation, Al Kuwari revealed that the library’s future strategy in this field builds on what has already been achieved, emphasizing that the library will continue the comprehensive digitization project for its heritage groups to complete the preservation of the Arab and Islamic heritage and protect its treasures by converting it into an immortal, priceless digital legacy, as QNL affirms these initiatives on its comprehensive vision in preserving the collective memory, and enhancing the region's position as a source of inspiration and innovation globally.
Al Kuwari concluded her statements to QNA by saying that partnerships and initiatives will continue to be pursued to ensure unified efforts across the Arab world in protecting the region’s rich heritage. Additionally, QNL will launch awareness programs, especially among youth, of the importance of cultural heritage and encourage them to participate in its preservation through volunteering, research, and documentation activities. As the IFLA Regional Office, QNL will soon announce joint action plans with IFLA to strengthen the library sector and encourage heritage documentation and restoration projects across the Arab world, as it is essential to continue this leadership role so that QNL remains a beacon for heritage protection and dissemination, and a bridge connecting the nation's past, present, and future, she said.
