Doha: Participants in the 4th edition of the Doha Conference on Combating the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property condemned the Israeli occupation's destruction of cultural institutions and heritage sites in Gaza, Palestine. This came during the launch of the conference organized by Qatar National Library (QNL) and attended by international experts, policymakers, and government officials to enhance institutional readiness and strengthen global cooperation in safeguarding cultural heritage during times of crisis. It was held under the theme 'Crisis Preparedness and Cultural Heritage Protection: from Prevention to Recovery.'
According to Qatar News Agency, in his opening remarks, HE Minister of State and President of QNL Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari stated: 'The Fourth Doha Conference on Combating the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property is not merely a platform for dialogue; it is a call to intensify regional and international cooperation, to unite the efforts of institutions and global partners, and to activate practical programs such as Himaya, launched by the Library to fight the illicit trade in cultural heritage and to build the capacity of institutions in confronting the challenges that threaten the identity and collective memory of nations. Protecting heritage is a shared responsibility and a moral and human duty that safeguards the identity of peoples, supports the stability of societies, and builds bridges of dialogue between civilizations.'
The President of QNL condemned the practices of the Israeli occupation in Palestine and Gaza, saying: "Today we meet at a time when we are witnessing the systematic destruction of cultural memory in Gaza, where mosques, markets, libraries, and rare manuscripts have been struck by bombardments, a cultural and humanitarian catastrophe that calls for an urgent response from the international community." In this context, QNL's hosting of the fourth edition of the Doha Conference on Combating the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property reflects its deep commitment to its strategic role in safeguarding cultural heritage, coordinating regional partnerships, sharing expertise, innovating in digital preservation, and affirming Qatar's standing as a custodian of human and civilizational heritage.
Talking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the QNL President noted the Library's commitment to promoting human heritage and combating attempts to obliterate it, particularly in Palestine and Gaza, as it is an Islamic heritage, at a time when international cultural institutions turn a blind eye to these shameful practices. His Excellency continued by saying that the QNL has important programs in this field, most notably the Library's Himaya program, launched in 2020. This program aims to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property and strengthen the capacities of institutions and individuals in the Arab region.
QNL Executive Director Tan Huism stated, 'Today's conference is about taking collective action to protect our cultural heritage. Together, we are establishing a path toward more resilient and better-prepared institutions capable of confronting crises.' She added that Qatar National Library is committed to its mission to safeguard cultural heritage for future generations. Effective protection demands a comprehensive approach that integrates proactive planning, legal and policy alignment, and crisis preparedness.
HE Ambassador of the Italian Republic to the State of Qatar Paolo Toschi said, "Italy is proud to participate in the 4th Doha Conference on Combating the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property hosted by Qatar National Library. The protection of cultural heritage is not only a moral duty but a shared responsibility to safeguard the memory, identity, and creativity of humanity."
HE Ambassador of the French Republic to the State of Qatar Jean-Baptiste Favre reflected that France is proud to assert its commitment and determination in the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property. Charge d'Affaires at the US Embassy in Doha Stefanie Altman-Winans emphasized the importance of protecting cultural heritage to preserve identity, resilience, and shared bonds between nations.
UNESCO Representative for the Gulf States and Yemen Dr. Salah Khaled emphasized the importance of focusing on crisis preparedness and protecting cultural heritage from prevention to recovery. He noted that UNESCO is working to develop the legal system to keep pace with renewed crises, including a new monitoring mechanism based on satellite images to track threatened heritage.
The first session of the conference was titled "A Cultural Crisis: Case Studies of Illicit Antiquities and the Potential for Capacity-Building in the Middle East." The conference is part of the QNL's Himaya program, which focuses on protecting cultural heritage in the MENA region. It is organized in collaboration with UNESCO's Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, along with the Embassies of the United States of America, France, and Italy in Doha.
The four-day conference continues with a comprehensive agenda that includes sessions on innovative approaches to heritage protection, emergency preparedness, law enforcement collaboration, and post-crisis recovery.