Sharjah launches World Heritage Office after UNESCO recognition for Faya
New authority to manage nominations, conservation and global coordination
SHARJAH – The Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) has announced the launch of the Sharjah World Heritage Office, a new entity tasked with overseeing the protection, management and international coordination of World Heritage sites across the emirate.
The move follows an Emiri Decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, approving the authority’s organisational structure. The launch also comes shortly after the inscription of Faya on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2025, a milestone that has elevated Sharjah’s role on the global heritage stage.
World Heritage Office
The newly established office will lead the management of sites already listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as locations on the Tentative List and those under consideration for future nominations. Officials said the initiative reflects a broader institutional approach aimed at preserving cultural and natural heritage in line with international standards.
The office will be responsible for preparing and managing nomination files for sites considered to hold Outstanding Universal Value. It will also oversee administrative and technical processes linked to listed and nominated locations, including conservation planning, documentation and monitoring.
According to SAA, the office will develop digital databases and specialised records linked to archaeological monitoring systems to improve site tracking, documentation accuracy and decision-making processes. The authority said these systems are intended to support future nominations while strengthening the long-term protection of heritage assets across the emirate.
The office will additionally supervise the international Dh2 million Faya Research Grant programme established by the Sharjah government for the Faya World Heritage Site. The grant programme supports scientific studies and research linked to the site’s archaeological and historical significance.
Eisa Yousif, Director-General of SAA, said the launch marks a major step in Sharjah’s heritage management strategy following Faya’s inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
“This places greater responsibility on us to protect sites of Outstanding Universal Value and ensure they are managed in line with international standards, preserving their authenticity, integrity and value for future generations,” he said.
Heritage plans
The World Heritage Office will coordinate with local and international entities on the preparation of nomination files covering cultural, natural and mixed heritage sites. It will also monitor existing World Heritage locations and prepare periodic reports required by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and other international organisations.
Authorities said the office will play a key role in balancing development projects with heritage preservation. It will work with government departments to update planning and development regulations in core and buffer zones surrounding listed and potential heritage sites.
This includes carrying out Heritage Impact Assessments for infrastructure and development projects, alongside the preparation of Urban Guidelines aimed at ensuring compliance with international heritage standards.
Yousif said Sharjah’s approach to heritage has evolved beyond the preservation of historical records into a wider knowledge-based framework.
“The vision of His Highness has established a more advanced approach to heritage as part of human knowledge, not just a record of the past,” he said. “The office translates this into a clear institutional framework linking scientific research with sustainable protection, while strengthening Sharjah’s presence on international heritage platforms.”
The office is also expected to strengthen cooperation with global heritage organisations including UNESCO, ICESCO, ICCROM, ICOMOS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The partnerships will focus on expertise exchange, professional training and representation at international heritage forums.
Alongside its technical responsibilities, the office will organise awareness initiatives and programmes locally and internationally to highlight the importance of World Heritage sites in protecting cultural identity and supporting sustainable development.
Officials said the establishment of the office reinforces Sharjah’s long-term commitment to cultural and natural heritage conservation, while positioning the emirate as a regional centre for research, documentation and international heritage collaboration.