On 29–30 April 2025, the city of AlUla in Saudi Arabia hosted the international UNESCO conference “Innovating Documentary Heritage for Sustainable Development”. The event brought together experts, policymakers, and representatives from archives and libraries around the world to explore the vital role of documentary heritage in advancing sustainable development.

Organised under the Memory of the World Programme, the conference highlighted how historical, cultural, and scientific documentation can serve as a powerful catalyst for social cohesion, the protection of human rights, and community resilience, especially in fragile contexts or areas affected by natural disasters and conflicts.

Throughout the two-day programme, participants discussed the use of digital technologies to preserve and enhance access to documentary heritage, with examples of good practices from countries across Africa, the Arab world, and Asia. A central theme was also the connection between documentary heritage and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: from civil rights archives to the preservation of traditional ecological and agricultural knowledge, the past can provide meaningful insights into solving today’s global challenges.

The choice of AlUla as the venue is significant. As one of the most important archaeological sites in Saudi Arabia, AlUla stands as a symbol of cultural dialogue and the rich historical legacy of the region. The event also featured an exhibition entitled “Words on Memory: A Window into Saudi Arabia’s Documentary Heritage”.

For more information, read the official UNESCO article.