Mosul: In the presence of Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, the UAE took part in the official opening ceremony for several cultural and heritage sites in Mosul, which were reconstructed with UAE funding in partnership with UNESCO and the European Union.
According to Emirates News Agency, the UAE delegation was led by Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State, and included Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture. The ceremony was also attended by senior Iraqi officials, ministers, and representatives of UNESCO. The opening represented a milestone in restoring the city's most prominent historic landmarks as part of the 'Revive the Spirit of Mosul' initiative.
In her remarks at the ceremony, Al Kaabi expressed her gratitude to the Iraqi government and UNESCO for their productive cooperation, which made possible the successful reconstruction of Mosul's historical and cultural sites. She noted that since signing the agreement with Iraq and UNESCO, the UAE has remained committed to restoring the Great Mosque of Al-Nuri, its Al-Hadba Minaret, and the Al-Tahera and Al-Sa'aa churches.
Al Kaabi emphasised that, under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, the UAE has regarded the reconstruction of Mosul as a shared international responsibility. She highlighted that the UAE worked with partners in Iraq and UNESCO to make this project a model of international cooperation in safeguarding human heritage.
Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture, reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to preserving cultural heritage in conflict-affected areas and highlighted its conviction in the role of culture in fostering coexistence and supporting community recovery. He noted that the UAE's strategic partnership with UNESCO reflects its vision of supporting international efforts aimed at safeguarding human heritage and strengthening cultural dialogue among nations.
Sheikh Salem added that the 'Revive the Spirit of Mosul' project not only involved the reconstruction of historic landmarks but also included training and educational programs that helped build and empower the local community. The UAE allocated $50.4 million for the reconstruction of Mosul, with $48.2 million contributed by the European Union, in addition to support from the international community.
The ceremony was attended by Abdulla Matar Al Mazrouei, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq; Ali Al Haj, UAE Permanent Delegate to UNESCO; Khaled Al Nuaimi, Director of the Federal Youth Authority; and several senior officials.