Al-ahsa: The Heritage Commission in Al-Ahsa, in partnership with UNESCO and the Saudi Irrigation Organization, has launched a volunteer program titled ‘Al-Ahsa Deserves’ to raise awareness of the importance of Al-Ahsa Oasis, one of the Saudi sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
According to Saudi Press Agency, UNESCO’s World Heritage Center selected the Heritage Commission’s ‘Al-Ahsa Deserves’ project to be part of the World Heritage Volunteers 2025 Campaign, under the theme ‘World Heritage Volunteers 2025: Working on the Future.’ It marks the first global volunteering initiative for World Heritage Sites to be hosted by Saudi Arabia. This initiative aims to preserve and safeguard the cultural landscape of the oasis, boost shared responsibility, and raise awareness of the significance of its irrigation channels and agricultural water systems.
The program features field and awareness activities that introduce volunteers to the agricultural irrigation channels and their history. On-site meetings with farmers are organized to highlight their agricultural expertise, nature conservation efforts, and approaches to sustaining farming. Additionally, it includes visits to cultural heritage sites inscribed on the World Heritage List.
The initiative brings together international and local volunteers, in cooperation with King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa Development Authority, Al-Ahsa Municipality, the National Center for Palms and Dates, Al-Ahsa Chamber, the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, and security agencies.