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Saudi Arabia Hopes to Add More Sites to UNESCO World Heritage List

Dr. Jasir Al-Harbash, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission. (Turky al-Agili)
Dr. Jasir Al-Harbash, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission. (Turky al-Agili)
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Saudi Arabia Hopes to Add More Sites to UNESCO World Heritage List

Dr. Jasir Al-Harbash, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission. (Turky al-Agili)
Dr. Jasir Al-Harbash, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission. (Turky al-Agili)

After successfully adding the Al-Faw region to UNESCO's World Heritage list, Saudi Arabia is now aiming to register more sites to showcase their historical significance and attract global attention.

Dr. Jasir Al-Harbash, CEO of the Heritage Commission, revealed plans to add new sites on the international heritage list, including ancient pilgrimage routes like the Zubaydah trail, as well historic water systems and ancient Arabian oases.

These sites are valuable both historically and environmentally, featuring farms and freshwater springs.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Harbash said Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims to register eight sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, a goal reached ahead of schedule. He assured that work is ongoing for other eligible sites.

“We have a plan to register several sites within a set timeframe. One of these involves collaboration with a neighboring country, aiming to exceed the targets outlined in Vision 2030,” noted Al-Harbash.

He highlighted several key Saudi sites under consideration for the World Heritage list. Among them are ancient pilgrimage routes, especially the Zubaydah trail, one of the seven main pilgrimage paths in the Arabian Peninsula, with a history of over 1,000 years.

Additionally, the National Center for Wildlife Development is leading efforts on a natural heritage file, which recently achieved recognition for the “Uruq Bani Ma’arid Protected Area,” designated in September 2023 as Saudi Arabia’s first natural World Heritage site.

Separately, the Saudi Cabinet designated 2025 as the “Year of Handicrafts” to celebrate their unique cultural value and highlight Saudi craftsmanship to the international community.

Al-Harbash praised the decision, calling it a recognition of the Ministry of Culture and the Heritage Commission’s dedication to this important sector.

During the “Year of Handicrafts,” the Ministry of Culture will work to increase the visibility of Saudi handicrafts both at home and abroad, and enable Saudi artisans to display their creations at events and activities in the Kingdom and the world over.

The initiative also aims to increase the contribution of Saudi handicrafts to the local economy and to raise awareness about their cultural, historical, civilizational, and economic significance.

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Culture

Sumo to Stage Event in Paris as Part of Global Push

People gather at the entrance of Ryogoku Kokugikan for the arrival of sumo wrestlers during the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on January 19, 2025. (AFP)
People gather at the entrance of Ryogoku Kokugikan for the arrival of sumo wrestlers during the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on January 19, 2025. (AFP)
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Sumo to Stage Event in Paris as Part of Global Push

People gather at the entrance of Ryogoku Kokugikan for the arrival of sumo wrestlers during the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on January 19, 2025. (AFP)
People gather at the entrance of Ryogoku Kokugikan for the arrival of sumo wrestlers during the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on January 19, 2025. (AFP)

Sumo will stage a tournament in Paris for the first time in over three decades next year in a push to expand the ancient sport beyond Japan, organizers said Sunday.

Accor Arena, which hosted basketball and gymnastics events at last year's Paris Olympics, will stage a two-day competition featuring top wrestlers in the French capital in June 2026.

Japan Sumo Association (JSA) officials announced last month that they will also stage a tournament later this year at London's Royal Albert Hall -- the first overseas sumo competition in 20 years.

"It's important for us to show our sport to the world," JSA chairman Hakkaku told reporters at Tokyo's Kokugikan, where the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament is currently taking place.

"And for the wrestlers, they're the best in the world, they should be proud of that and see that they're admired all over the world."

Paris hosted sumo tournaments in 1986 and 1995 at the invitation of former French president Jacques Chirac, who was known to be a huge fan of the centuries-old sport.

Hakkaku, who competed at the 1986 Paris event, said he was "grateful for the long and deep relations between sumo and France".

"We feel renewed joy and great responsibility as we prepare for our third performance in Paris in 2026," he said.

"We are committed to fully sharing the charm of sumo... with the French people."

French organizers said they would pull out all the stops to recreate the atmosphere of a sumo tournament in Japan.

David Rothschild, promoter and executive producer for events organizers AEG, said the Paris tournament would be part of a "festival" celebrating Japanese culture.

"When you say the word sumo, everyone in France knows it represents traditional Japanese culture," he said.

"There was a time when it was shown on TV and there are people in France who are very knowledgeable about it," Rothschild added.

"But time flies and we want to introduce the beauty of sumo to a new generation."

Sumo has staged events in several countries around the world, including the Soviet Union, Mexico and the United States.

The last overseas tournament organized by the JSA was in Las Vegas in 2005.

Hakkaku, the JSA chairman, said the association's efforts to bring sumo to audiences abroad were meant to "introduce people to the traditional culture of Japan".

"We thought a lot about how to develop our sport after Covid and I think this was the best idea, but it was already in our plans before that," he said.