Doha, Qatar: UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, in cooperation with the UNESCO Chair for World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Management in the Arab Region (WH-STAR) and Qatar Museums, will convene the second edition of the “Opportunities for Heritage” Conference (O4H-II) from December 7-8 2025, in Doha.
This international conference will be held at Qatar Museums, bringing together policymakers, heritage professionals, international organisations, urban planners, economists and other experts to exchange best practices on how to integrate heritage conservation in development policies and plans.
Guided by UNESCO’s core normative instruments, including the 1972 World Heritage Convention, the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the 2011 Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, the conference aims to strengthen the role of culture as a driver of sustainable development and resilience.
Building on the momentum of the first edition, O4H-II underscores the understanding that safeguarding of heritage is not only a priority but also an economic, social, and environmental imperative. The conference will serve as a platform for addressing contemporary challenges in heritage management while generating innovative solutions tailored to the needs of the Arab region and beyond.
Over two days, O4H-II will offer a dynamic programme combining expert-led panel discussions and interactive workshops for stakeholders.
Local, regional, and international participants will examine key issues, including regulatory frameworks, financial sustainability, policy development, public-private collaboration, interpretation, and community engagement, aiming to identify best practices, challenges, and opportunities in heritage conservation today.
The first edition of “Opportunities for Heritage,” held in Muscat between 24 to 27 February 2024, was organized by the UNESCO Chair for World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Management in the Arab Region and in strategic partnership with the Oman National Commission for UNESCO and the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.
While O4H-I adopted a mixed academic and policy-oriented approach, for O4H-II, organizers have adopted a more collaborative and solution-oriented format, placing emphasis on practical applications for policymakers and the integration of heritage in local and national development strategies.
The conference also aligns with UNESCO’s broader efforts in the Gulf States and Yemen to advance sustainable tourism, reinforce community engagement in heritage protection, and support countries in implementing UNESCO’s conventions and recommendations.
Qatar continues to invest in cultural diplomacy, heritage conservation, and sustainable tourism, reflecting its strong commitment to advancing culture and safeguarding heritage, and reaffirming its role as a dynamic centre for global cultural exchange.
