His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, witnessed the signing of an agreement to digitise Unesco’s global archive with a $6 million grant from the Sharjah Book Authority.

The signing took place on Wednesday at the Unesco headquarters in Paris, in the presence of his wife, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, and Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of Unesco.

The agreement was signed by Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), and Jennifer Linkins, Assistant Director-General for Administration and Management at Unesco.

Sheikh Sultan, Sheikha Jawaher, Bodour and other dignitaries at the Unesco Headquarter in Paris. WAM

The project, based on directives from the Ruler of Sharjah, aims to preserve global heritage, protect important documents, and ensure digital accessibility. It will span five years and include the digitisation of books, manuscripts, audio recordings, documentaries, and various archival materials.

Sheikh Sultan conducted a tour of the Unesco Library and Archive, examining significant collections including global documents, books, and manuscripts. He was also informed about the essential functions of the library in supporting the organisation's objectives and utilising its cultural resources to enhance Unesco’s mission and the work of its staff.

During the visit, Sheikh Sultan viewed a number of aging historical documents, some of which had been impacted by deteriorating conditions. This emphasised the importance of the digitisation agreement in protection Unesco’s cultural, intellectual, and historical holdings.

The Unesco archive stands as one of the largest and most important institutional archives globally, which includes nearly 80 years of historical records. The collection features more than 2.5 million pages of documents, 165,000 rare photographs, and thousands of hours of audio and video recordings, These materials capture pivotal moments in global cultural and educational history, including major meetings, treaties, international correspondence, and heritage preservation projects.

Only 5 per cent of the archive has been digitised, highlighting the significant value it holds, yet constrained by limited resources and various logistical and technical challenges. This underscores the critical necessity for assistance to expedite comprehensive digital transformation and protect the archive as an invaluable global resource.

Approximately 95 per cent of the archive remains undigitised, making Sharjah’s initiative a significant move towards converting this global legacy into accessible digital content for researchers, academic institutions, and cultural communities around the world.

Sheikha Bodour remarked, ”This grant exemplifies Sharjah’s commitment to preserving human heritage and protecting the world’s memory, highlighting knowledge as a fundamental element of sustainable human development. UNESCO’s global archive stands as a vital centre for the preservation of heritage, intellect, education, and culture, emphasising that its preserving is a shared moral responsibility.”

Sheikha Bodour stated, "Sharjah has always held the belief that access to knowledge should be fair and inclusive, and that protecting human memory is vital for fostering creativity and progress. With this initiative, we are creating a new avenue for international collaboration aimed at building a future that respects the past while providing future generations the chance to learn from history and draw inspiration from its lessons.”

This agreement demonstrates Sharjah’s ongoing leadership, under the direction of Sheikh Sultan, in fostering knowledge and humanitarian initiatives. It reinforces the emirate’s position as a global hub for cultural preservation, heritage protection, and the promotion of Arab representation in international intellectual and scientific organisations.

WAM