Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA), an entity established to make Diriyah one of the world’s great gathering places has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Arabian National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (Saudi ICOMOS).
The agreement aims to promote collaboration between the two parties in matters related to cultural and natural heritage sites in the Kingdom.
The cooperation agreement was signed by Mr. Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of DGDA and Princess Dr. Nouf bint Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, President of the Saudi ICOMOS.
The partnership will particularly focus on protecting the World Heritage site in the historic At-Turaif district in Diriyah, as well as preserving other exceptional heritage sites to be identified in the future.
This will help to raise the level of coordination and cooperation between the DGDA and Saudi ICOMOS and enhance their respective efforts to protect heritage sites in accordance with the best practices of ICOMOS as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Conventions.
Commenting on the agreement, Princess Dr. Nouf bint Mohammed bin Fahd praised the association between the two sides and highlighted the benefits of Saudi ICOMOS’s support to DGDA’s efforts to build capacity and knowledge.
Dr. Nouf remarked that the partnership with Saudi ICOMOS would enhance the DGDA’s position as a center of international expertise through its global network, and would include the transfer of expertise to professionally assess and protect the cultural and natural heritage of Diriyah in line with global best practices.
Under this agreement, both sides will conduct specialized scientific research on culturally significant areas in Diriyah and formulate joint recommendations to preserve the values and characteristics of such sites.
Meanwhile, Mr. Jerry Inzerillo emphasized the importance of the MoU and coordination between DGDA and Saudi ICOMOS in promoting joint efforts to achieve shared goals and objectives.
CEO of DGDA further added that “We are extremely excited to have partnered with Saudi ICOMOS, as it enables future cooperation and collaboration on projects, initiatives, and strategies that are focused on preserving the rich heritage of sites located in Diriyah by applying the World Heritage Convention criteria.”
“Not only does this partnership cover the World Heritage area in the At-Turaif district in Diriyah, but it will also include other cultural and natural heritage sites in the future. We will work hard to establish a solid knowledge base related to preservation and control of the World Heritage sites in At-Turaif and boost future cooperation in events, exhibitions, conferences, and delegation visits” Mr. Inzerillo added.
