Doha: The regional conference "Memory in Heritage: Fostering Cooperation on Documentary Heritage in the Arab Region" concluded in Doha on Wednesday, marking a key step in preserving Arab cultural legacy.

According to Qatar News Agency, the conference was organized by the Qatar National Archives in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It focused on uniting efforts to protect and promote documentary heritage.

The closing session announced the establishment of the Memory of the World Committee for the Arab Region (MoWCAR) to coordinate efforts in safeguarding heritage and raising its global profile. Secretary-General of Qatar National Archives, Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Al Buainain, was elected chairperson by majority vote, reflecting trust in Qatar's leadership.

Al Buainain described the initiative as a historic responsibility, stressing Qatar's commitment to fostering regional cooperation and building a robust system to preserve Arab heritage. He highlighted the committee's aim to unify efforts and ensure global prominence for the region's documentary treasures.

Participants emphasized the urgency of digitizing records to preserve heritage and improve accessibility, while leveraging modern technology to support these efforts. The conference also called for unified regulations and the creation of a regional register to document the diversity of Arab cultures.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Al Buainain thanked UNESCO and participants, emphasizing that documentary heritage is about building cultural bridges between the past and present, underscoring the importance of this legacy in shaping a sustainable future and reinforcing cultural identity.