Paris: Under the patronage of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Sharjah hosted a gala dinner at The Peninsula Paris Hotel to honour and celebrate the successful inscription of the Faya Palaeolandscape on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Faya Palaeolandscape was the only Arab nomination considered by the World Heritage Committee for its 47th session, making this achievement even more historic and meaningful for Sharjah, UAE, and the wider region. Moreover, Faya now stands as the second site in the UAE to receive this recognition, after The Cultural Sites in Al Ain that was inscribed in 2011.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event gathered key figures from the World Heritage Committee, diplomatic representatives, and experts to reflect on this achievement. Sheikha Bodour expressed pride in Sharjah's continuous efforts to inscribe Faya and bring the site's instrumental role in shaping early human history to light. She spoke about the significance of this achievement and Sharjah's commitment to preserving Faya's legacy for future generations.
Ali Alhaj Al Ali, Permanent Delegate of the United Arab Emirates to UNESCO, emphasised the country's steadfast commitment to heritage and the broader significance of this milestone. Guests reflected on the collective work that made Faya's inscription possible, celebrating not only this achievement but also the shared commitment and momentum driving the preservation of human heritage.
Eisa Yousif, Director-General of Sharjah Archaeology Authority, acknowledged the contributions of those who made this achievement possible and emphasised the importance of continued collaboration to safeguard Faya's legacy. He highlighted the role of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi in protecting cultural heritage and praised Sheikha Bodour's stewardship of the nomination.
The Faya Palaeolandscape is a site of historical discovery, providing insights into the adaptive capacities of early humans in one of the harshest environments on Earth over 200,000 years ago. Archaeological work has revealed 18 distinct layers of human settlement, reshaping our understanding of the past and its relevance to the present.
For 11 years, Faya Palaeolandscape has been a cornerstone site within UNESCO's Human Evolution, Adaptations, Dispersals and Social Developments Programme, advancing global palaeoanthropological research and international heritage cooperation.
