Yemen’s Ambassador to UNESCO inspects the training workshop on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in Cairo

On Wednesday, Dr. Mohammed Jumeih, Yemen’s Ambassador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), visited the training workshop on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, held in Cairo, Egypt. He was accompanied by Mr. Salah Khaled, UNESCO Representative for the Gulf States and Yemen and Director of the UNESCO Office in Doha.

The Ambassador and the UNESCO representative observed the ongoing training benefiting thirty Yemeni men and women, who are learning core principles and concepts of intangible cultural heritage preservation under the guidance of UNESCO-certified expert trainers.

The trainees were also warmly received by Ms. Shurooq Al-Ramadi, Executive Director of the Hadhramout Culture Foundation; Mr. Abdulqader Ba’aisa, Member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees; and Mr. Tarek Balkhashar, Executive Director of the Hadhramout Foundation – Human Development.

During his address to the participants, Mr. Salah Khaled highlighted that Yemen was among the first countries to sign the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, yet it has not fully benefited from the opportunities the Convention provides. He expressed hope that the current truce in Yemen would enable the country to take full advantage of such agreements and promote peace.

Mr. Salah also extended his sincere thanks to the Hadhramout Culture Foundation for its dedication and active role in this field, and commended the trainees for their remarkable commitment to preserving their heritage.

The participants expressed their deep appreciation for the care and attention of the workshop organizers. During their interventions, they highlighted key issues, including the preservation of the Mehri and Socotri languages and the importance of supporting Yemen’s education sector, among other matters.

It is worth noting that the workshops on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage are organized by the UNESCO Office for the Gulf States and Yemen and the Hadhramout Culture Foundation, in collaboration with the Permanent Delegation of Yemen to UNESCO, the UNESCO Cairo Office, and the European Union under the Cash for Work Project. The eleven-day workshop runs throughout August.

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