The Sharjah Institute for Heritage inaugurated a capacity-building workshop for focal points under the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage on October 26, 2026, at the Arab Heritage Centre in Sharjah. The event drew representatives from various cultural and heritage organizations across the Arab region along with UNESCO experts serving as facilitators. According to the institute, the workshop forms part of a broader training initiative designed to foster specialized competencies and encourage regional as well as international collaboration in heritage preservation practices. The sessions are scheduled to continue through October 29, after which a follow-on training program on preparing nomination files will take place from November 2 to 5.
Participants will focus on methodologies for documenting, safeguarding and nominating elements of intangible cultural heritage in line with the UNESCO convention’s established frameworks. The Sharjah Institute for Heritage reported that these programs seek to elevate the quality of institutional work while reinforcing professional standards in the protection of living heritage. Such training directly supports efforts to maintain cultural practices that define community identities across the Arab world. UNESCO data indicates the convention has facilitated the recognition of hundreds of intangible heritage elements globally since its adoption.
Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, addressed the opening session and stated that the organisation of such workshops is a clear reflection of the Institute’s dedication to supporting Arab and international initiatives in the preservation of intangible cultural heritage and in the development of expertise in the practices and systems involved. Al Musallam emphasized the role of these activities in strengthening cross-border partnerships. His remarks underscored the institute’s ongoing commitment to advancing knowledge in heritage safeguarding mechanisms.
Aisha Rashid Al Hosan Al Shamsi, director of the International Centre for Capacity Building in the field of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Arab States, highlighted the significance of the training in developing the knowledge of professionals working in this domain. Al Shamsi pointed to the programs’ focus on methodologies linked to documentation, preservation and the preparation of nomination files according to approved standards. She noted that enhanced expertise would contribute to more effective implementation of safeguarding measures throughout the region. The director’s comments aligned with the workshop’s goal of professional development for heritage practitioners.
The United Arab Emirates maintains a strong presence on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity with 19 inscribed elements as of December 2025, according to UNESCO records. These include falconry, majlis cultural gatherings, Arabic coffee traditions, date palm knowledge and camel racing among others. The list also features joint Arab files such as Al Bisht and kohl application practices. Such inscriptions reflect sustained national and collaborative efforts to protect living heritage, which the current Sharjah workshop aims to further support through targeted capacity building.
The initiative builds upon previous regional programs coordinated by the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and UNESCO to improve nomination processes and institutional performance. Sharjah-based facilities have hosted multiple training events in recent years focused on oral traditions, documentation techniques and digital preservation of cultural knowledge. These activities form part of a wider strategy to ensure the transmission of intangible heritage to future generations while adapting to contemporary challenges. The institute’s collaboration with UNESCO continues to expand opportunities for Arab experts to engage with global safeguarding standards.