Qatar taking vibrant steps to protect cultural heritage
Qatar is rapidly establishing itself as a regional leader in the protection and preservation of cultural heritage, according to Professor Ryan Rowberry, an internationally recognized expert in cultural heritage law.
Speaking exclusively to The Peninsula during the recently concluded 4th Doha Conference on Combating the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property, Professor Rowberry praised Qatar’s efforts in fostering cross-border cooperation on issues that extend far beyond political boundaries.
“What it really takes is a leader to set the tone and bring people together—and that is exactly what Qatar is doing,” said Rowberry, a professor at Georgia State University and co-director of its Center for the Comparative Study of Metropolitan Growth.
Driving regional cooperation through global dialogue
The Doha Conference, organised by Qatar National Library (QNL) in partnership with the US Embassy in Doha, brought together global experts to address illicit trafficking, disaster preparedness, and the impact of climate change on cultural heritage.
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Rowberry, who also holds the Janice C. Griffith Chair in Law and specializes in cultural heritage and environmental law, commended QNL’s leadership, calling the conference “a critical platform for knowledge exchange and regional strategy development.”
“QNL did an unbelievably great job with this event. These kinds of regional collaborations are essential as the Gulf works to safeguard its heritage while preparing for threats like looting and climate change,” he said.
Qatar’s leadership in cultural preservation
Professor Rowberry highlighted Qatar’s unique position and growing momentum in the cultural heritage space, noting that initiatives by Qatar Museums and QNL are central to this progress.
“There is a real hunger in the region to protect culture. Qatar is not only investing in museums and preservation efforts, but also facilitating meaningful dialogue that sets a model for the rest of the GCC and beyond,” he said.
He emphasized that Qatar’s approach— uniting experts from across the region and internationally—is laying the groundwork for a sustainable and cooperative regional heritage framework.
“Cultural heritage threats like looting or environmental degradation do not respect borders. Qatar’s ability to bring diverse stakeholders together positions it as a driving force for regional resilience.”
A growing platform for global collaboration
Now in its fourth edition, the Doha Conference has evolved into an influential platform for international and regional cooperation. It reflects Qatar’s long-term commitment to cultural preservation as part of its broader vision for development and diplomacy.
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“This kind of leadership translates into stronger regional collaboration,” said Rowberry. “The work happening here—whether it’s protecting historical artefacts or preparing for climate impacts—is setting a precedent for how cultural heritage can be protected through unified efforts.”
As cultural heritage faces rising global threats—from armed conflict to environmental challenges—Qatar’s proactive stance and convening power are placing it at the forefront of efforts to safeguard history for future generations.
Source: The Peninsula