Diriyah Gate Development Authority Celebrates World Heritage Day with Three Days of Engaging Activities

In collaboration with the Saudi National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (Saudi ICOMOS), Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) celebrates World Heritage Day, which falls on April 18 every year. The celebration included several engaging events and activities that took place over a period of three days in the historic At-Turaif district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed on that list in 2010.

On April 17, the opening day of the festivities, the schedule featured field visits and tours tailored for more than 20 esteemed local and international dignitaries, heritage experts, and specialists. The visits were centered around exclusive heritage sites undergoing rehabilitation and development in Diriyah. The visitors were given the unique opportunity to explore Wadi Hanifah, Al-Bahili Farm, and Ghasibah.

On the second day, which coincided with World Heritage Day, April 18, several panel discussions were arranged to explore various topics. The first session “Understanding the Challenge - Rain and Floods in Diriyah” delved into the unique environmental challenges faced by the region, while the second session, “Integrating Traditional Knowledge with Modern Engineering in Preservation - approach of preventing impacts on natural disasters” explored innovative approaches to heritage preservation. The day concluded with the thirdsession which summarized the key insights from the day’s discussions.

The planned activities served as a testament to the dedication of the Saudi ICOMOS and the impactful projects led by DGDA in developing and restoring heritage sites. These initiatives focused on construction and restoration, as well as the heartfelt commitment to preserving these sites and raising awareness of their historical and cultural significance to the Kingdom, a cause that deserves not just recognition, but also our collective support.

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) designated this day to be celebrated annually under the sponsorship of UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the World Heritage Organization, according to the convention adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris in 1972.

DGDA is implementing several major development projects to preserve, conserve, rehabilitate, and enhance heritage sites according to the highest global sustainability standards. These standards distinguish the ancient heritage sites and assets in Diriyah, which have a history of approximately 300 years.