Doha: In a strategic move underscoring Qatar's commitment to preserving documentary heritage, the National Archives of Qatar, in collaboration with UNESCO, has announced the formation of the Memory of the World Committee for the Arab Region (MOWCAR). This announcement was made during a regional conference held in Doha, titled 'Memory in Heritage: Enhancing Cooperation on Documentary Heritage in the Arab Region,' in January 2025.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the conference, organized by the National Archives of Qatar and UNESCO, marked a significant milestone with the election of Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Al Buainain, Secretary-General of the National Archives of Qatar, as Chairman of MOWCAR. This development highlights Qatar's expanding influence in supporting the preservation of Arab documentary memory.
Moreover, Qatar National Library (QNL) celebrated the inauguration of the Regional Office for the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). The aim of this office is to improve coordination among institutions focused on preserving documentary heritage across the Arab world and the Middle East.
In line with these efforts, the establishment of the Qatari National Committee to implement UNESCO's Memory of the World (MoW) Program was announced. This committee will oversee the creation of a national register of documentary heritage, known as the Qatari Memory of the World Register, and propose documents for World Heritage status.
Dr. Ghanem bin Mubarak Al Ali, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Chairman of the National Committee on Memory of the World, noted that the committee's creation follows a Cabinet decision to implement UNESCO's MoW Program. The committee is tasked with forming partnerships with both public and private sectors to advance the MoW program and organize awareness activities.
The National Committee on Memory of the World is actively collecting documents and developing mechanisms for sorting, classifying, and preserving them. Future plans include organizing workshops to train individuals in document preservation methods and to raise awareness about the importance of preserving documentary heritage.
Dr. Al Ali emphasized Qatar's dedication to preserving documentary heritage as a sustainable legacy for future generations. Cooperation with UNESCO remains a key aspect of Qatar's strategy to protect world documentary heritage, illustrating Qatar's role in supporting local, regional, and international preservation efforts.
Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Al Buainain, in his capacity as Secretary-General of the National Archives of Qatar and Chairman of MOWCAR, further elaborated on Qatar's strategy for preserving Arab documentary heritage. He highlighted the importance of institutional coordination and strategic vision in preserving such heritage, supported by advanced infrastructure and technical expertise.
MOWCAR's role is pivotal in raising awareness about Arab documentary heritage, which is underrepresented in the MoW Register. The committee seeks to improve institutional capacities in Arab countries through regional cooperation, training, and expertise sharing.
The committee also focuses on creating unified regional databases for historical documents and supporting collective nomination files for the MoW Register. Dr. Al Buainain praised Qatar's contributions, noting its advanced model in preserving national memory and its support for regional institutions.
QNL's role as the first IFLA Regional Office in the Middle East and North Africa was highlighted by Abeer Saad Al Kuwari, Director of National Collection and Special Initiatives at QNL. This selection reflects QNL's leadership in heritage preservation and its commitment to developing the library sector in the Arab world.
The IFLA Regional Office at QNL facilitates coordination among Arab countries, enhances library services, and supports initiatives for knowledge dissemination and heritage preservation. It also plays a role in combating illicit trafficking of cultural heritage through initiatives like the Himaya project.
QNL continues to prioritize the preservation of Arab and Islamic heritage through its Heritage Library and digitization efforts. It has digitized over 16 million pages of cultural materials, contributing to the Qatar Digital Library platform, which provides free access to historical documents.
Future plans for QNL include ongoing digitization projects and launching awareness programs to engage youth in heritage preservation efforts. As the IFLA Regional Office, QNL aims to strengthen the library sector across the Arab world and maintain its leadership in heritage protection and dissemination.