On 11 October, H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah met with ICCROM Director-General, Dr. Stefano De Caro in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The objective was to discuss programmes and plans being implemented in the Arab region through the recently-established ICCROM-ATHAR Regional Conservation Centre in Sharjah. Established in 2012 by the ICCROM and the Government of Sharjah, ICCROM-ATHAR focuses on architectural and archaeological tangible heritage in the region including heritage collections, rich and varied historic places, sites and monuments.
H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi and Dr. De Caro also signed an addendum to the agreement between the Government of Sharjah and ICCROM, providing technical support and assistance to ICCROM-ATHAR, ensuring the implementation of its five-year strategic plan to conserve and safeguard cultural heritage in the Arab world. Also in attendance were H.E.Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations, Ms. Marie Lavandier, Chairperson of ICCROM’s Council, Dr. Zaki Aslan, Director of ICCROM-ATHAR, ICCROM Council Members from the Arab Member States, chiefs of United Arab Emirates partner institutions including the National Council of Tourism and Antiquities of UAE, Sharjah Museums Department, and the Sharjah Institute for Heritage.
Dr. De Caro along with the other ICCROM delegates will subsequently attend a two-day meeting to finalize the schedule for the upcoming General Assembly to be held in Rome, 18-20 November 2015.