In recognition of its outstanding role in backing the international efforts to preserve human heritage around the world, Bahrain won a seat in the World Heritage List by an overwhelming majority of 121 votes. This came during the 21st meeting of the General Assembly of the participating countries in the 1972 World Heritage Convention. The meeting is held on November 14 and 15 at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in the French capital, Paris.

President of Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), Shaikh Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, the Board Chairperson of the Regional Arab Centre for World Heritage, described the election of Bahrain to the committee as a dividend of the efforts made to preserve the Arab and Bahraini civlisational heritage. She paid tribute to Bahrain leadership for their support and keenness to boost Bahrain’s status on the map of advanced countries in protecting the world human heritage. She thanked all countries, particularly the Arab group at UNESCO, for voting for Bahrain which has been a host to the Regional Arab Centre for World Heritage since 2012. She also pointed out Bahrain’s winning of the committee’s membership in 2007 and its presidency in 2011. She also praised Bahrain’s success to register two sites on the World Human Heritage List (Bahrain Fort and the Pearl Trail), pointing out the ongoing efforts to nominate more sites for the list like A’ali Mounds and Manama Historical City.

The World Heritage Committee consists of 21 member states participating in the 1972 World Heritage Convention. Bahrain clinched a seat for four years during the 21st meeting of the General Assembly which also discussed the recommendations of the 20th session and spotlighted the committee’s achievements and activities as well as progress in carrying out the strategy 2012-2022.

Souece: BNA