The UAE Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development has observed the World Heritage Day at its headquarters and all its offices across the country under the patronage of Minister Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan.

Art and traditional handicraft exhibitions and folklore shows were organised in the seven emirates to showcase the country's cultural assets and raise public awareness about the importance of protection, preservation and propagation of cultural heritage.

Celebrating this occasion reflects the importance of heritage for development because it is a pillar of the cultural identity, commented Waleed Al Zaabi, Director of Heritage and Arts at the Ministry Waleed Al Zaabi.

Preserving national heritage is the responsibility of all organisations and individuals, he stressed.

This year, the theme of the World Heritage Day is 'Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism' within the framework of the 17 sustainable development goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Plan adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at a historic UN Summit held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA.

The global celebrations aim to reflect international co-operation on preservation and propagation of world heritage sites, Al Zaabi further noted.

18th April was identified as the World Heritage Day in 1982 by International Council for Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). It was suggested that a special day should be marked and celebrated all through the world in the name of "International Day for Monuments and Sites". In 1983, the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, UNESCO, also approved the idea and since then, 18th April is marked as the World Heritage Day