New York City:Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, has been awarded the prestigious Hadrian Award by the World Monuments Fund (WMF). The award ceremony took place during the 37th annual Hadrian Gala in New York City, which was attended by international cultural leaders, philanthropists, and heritage conservation experts.
According to Wam, the recognition was bestowed upon Al Mubarak for his significant leadership in the protection and preservation of cultural heritage. The Hadrian Award, established in 1988, honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to conserving and protecting the world's cultural heritage.
Al Mubarak's recognition underscores Abu Dhabi's commitment to heritage preservation, as demonstrated by initiatives such as the protection of historic landmarks like the Al Hosn area and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Al Ain Region. It also highlights his role as Vice-Chair of the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH), supporting vulnerable cultural sites globally.
In his acceptance speech, Al Mubarak expressed pride in receiving the award on behalf of the people of Abu Dhabi and highlighted the UAE's dedication to cultural identity and heritage preservation, a vision originally championed by the UAE's Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The World Monuments Fund, founded in 1965, is a leading independent organization focused on safeguarding cultural heritage, having preserved over 700 sites in 112 countries, including several projects in Arab countries.