Sharjah Governor's Landmark Agreement to Digitize UNESCO's Global Archives

In a significant cultural initiative, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, a Supreme Council Member and the Ruler of Sharjah, has inked a $6 million agreement to digitize UNESCO's global archive. This agreement aims to protect and preserve the world's heritage and enhance accessibility to important documents. The formal signing took place on a Wednesday morning at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, where the Ruler was accompanied by his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, as well as UNESCO’s Director-General, Audrey Azoulay.

A Step Towards Preservation

The agreement was officially signed by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, who heads the Sharjah Book Authority, and Jennifer Linkins, Deputy Director-General for Administration and Management at UNESCO. The primary focus of this project is to safeguard the vast wealth of cultural and historical material collected over the years by UNESCO, ensuring that these invaluable resources remain accessible for future generations.

Spanning over five years, this transformative project will include the digitization of books, manuscripts, audio recordings, documentaries, and various other archival materials. It underscores the commitment of Sharjah to embrace technology in protecting and promoting cultural heritage.

The Significance of the Archive

During a tour of the UNESCO Library and Archives, His Highness examined notable collections, including crucial global documents, historical books, and manuscripts that reflect significant moments in human history. The visit highlighted the dire condition of several aging documents, which reinforced the pressing need for modern preservation techniques such as digital archiving.

The UNESCO Archive is considered one of the world’s largest and most important institutional archives, housing nearly 80 years of historical records. With more than 2.5 million pages of documents, 165,000 rare photographs, and countless hours of audio and video recordings, this collection captures pivotal moments related to cultural and educational evolution worldwide.

Urgent Need for Digitization

Currently, only 5% of the UNESCO archives have been digitized, revealing a substantial backlog of materials that require urgent attention. The limitations in resources and various logistical challenges underscore the necessity for expedited digital transformation to ensure the protection of the archive's rich content. The digitization initiative led by Sharjah is pivotal, as it aims to transition approximately 95% of the still-physical archive into accessible digital formats that can be shared with researchers and cultural institutions globally.

Commitment to Cultural Heritage

Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi emphasized that this grant exemplifies Sharjah's unwavering dedication to preserving human heritage and upholding the memory of the world. Highlighting the role of knowledge as a crucial driver of sustainable human development, she stated, “With this initiative, we are creating a new avenue for international collaboration that respects our past while providing future generations the opportunity to learn from history.”

She further asserted the importance of equitable access to knowledge, reinforcing that protecting our human legacy is vital to fostering creativity and progress.

Continuous Cultural Leadership

This agreement is a testament to Sharjah's ongoing leadership in the cultural domain, showcasing its commitment to supporting knowledge-sharing initiatives and humanitarian efforts. It solidifies the emirate’s reputation as a global hub for cultural preservation, heritage protection, and representation of Arab contributions in intellectual and scientific organizations.

The digitization of the UNESCO archive marks a strategic move that will not only enhance access to essential cultural resources but also reflect Sharjah’s vision in positioning itself as a leader in the preservation of global heritage. Such initiatives resonate with Sharjah’s broader goals of cultural sustainability and international cooperation, ensuring that the world’s history remains alive and accessible for all.