Jordan says protecting heritage sites an int’l responsibility

AMMAN — Deputising for His Majesty King Abdullah, Deputy Prime Minister for Services and Minister of Education Mohammad Thneibat on Friday attended the Safeguarding Endangered Cultural Heritage conference in Abu Dhabi, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

The two-day event was held at the initiative of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and French President François Hollande, and supported by UNESCO. 

Thneibat delivered Jordan’s speech at the conference, commending the UAE’s pioneering role in conserving Islamic and Arab heritage.

He noted Jordan’s efforts in conserving heritage, citing the Hashemite custodianship of Jerusalem that protects its Arab and Muslim identity, as well as its Muslim and Christian holy sites.

The minister stressed that the heritage of any country is an important part of world heritage, and protecting it is a joint responsibility that requires international collaboration.

Discussions at the conference, attended by representatives of 40 nations, aimed at finding ways to safeguarding cultural resources against armed conflicts, terrorism and illicit trade in artefacts.

Talks also focused on building the capacities of local archaeological experts at conflict zones, and improving legal and funding mechanisms to facilitate emergency protection of heritage sites, as well as post-conflict rehabilitation.