Hoor appointed Ambassador Extraordinary for Arab Culture

Sheikha Hoor Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation, has been appointed the 2025-2026 Ambassador Extraordinary for Arab Culture by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO) in recognition of her transformative role in advancing contemporary art and fostering cultural exchange across the region and internationally.

The announcement was made during a ceremony held on Monday in Africa Hall, Al Manakh, Sharjah in the presence of government officials, leaders and directors from various cultural institutions across Sharjah.

Through her leadership of Sharjah Art Foundation and numerous global initiatives, she has created platforms that amplify Arab voices, preserve cultural heritage and promote dialogue among diverse communities.

Speaking about her appointment, Sheikha Hoor said, “I am deeply honoured to be appointed ALECSO Ambassador Extraordinary for Arab Culture. This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of many individuals and institutions dedicated to nurturing, promoting and preserving our shared cultural heritage. I look forward to working closely with ALECSO to strengthen cultural dialogue and foster deeper understanding across the region and beyond.”

The ALECSO Ambassadors for Arab Culture Programme recognises distinguished Arab figures whose cultural and artistic contributions advance the organisation’s objectives and highlight the richness and diversity of Arab culture.

Ambassadors serve as advocates for ALECSO’s mission across national, regional and international platforms, promoting values of creativity, peace and coexistence.

Dr Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, commented, “We look forward to working closely with Sheikha Hoor Bint Sultan Al Qasimi to advance ALECSO’s cultural programmes and promote culture as a driver of sustainable development and shared values across the Arab world. This honour also reaffirms the UAE’s pioneering role in fostering Arab cultural cooperation and the universal values of peace, dialogue and tolerance.”

Sheikha Hoor has directed the Sharjah Biennial since 2003, curating landmark exhibitions that foreground Arab and Global South narratives, including Sharjah Biennial 15 (2023) and Hassan Sharif: I Am The Single Work Artist (2017-2018).

She also serves as President of The Africa Institute and the International Biennial Association, advancing cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration across regions.

In 2023, she was named an Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture in recognition of her contributions to the arts.

In April, ALECSO awarded His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Arab Cultural Merit — First Class, in the inaugural edition of this distinguished honour.

Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Culture, accepted the award on Sheikh Sultan’s behalf during a solemn ceremony at ALECSO’s headquarters in Tunis.

The ceremony was attended by Dr Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO; Dr Eman Al Salami, Ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of Tunisia; ambassadors from Arab countries to Tunisia; and distinguished intellectuals, thinkers, and media professionals from around the Arab world.

The event began with a speech by ALECSO’s Director-General, who announced the inauguration of the first edition of Arab Cultural Merit, a prestigious award given to individuals, organisations, or institutions for outstanding contributions to Arab culture. The award is a high-level recognition of quality and originality in cultural domains, and it encourages worthwhile efforts to develop knowledge and cultural services.

Dr Ould Amar spoke about the award, saying, “This award aims to recognise the efforts of pioneering individuals and institutions that have contributed to presenting Arab culture to the world with its humanitarian and civilisational depth while enriching the cultural landscape and promoting Arab identity and knowledge values. It is natural that the organisation’s first recipient is a remarkable individual in every human, intellectual, academic, and political sense – a decision that validates the credibility, validity, and stature of this high-level initiative.”

WAM