Page 104 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025

2/21/25, 4:44 PM UNESCO chief hails UAE's leading role in restoration of Mosul at WGS - Aletihad News Center
"UAE and Unesco worked together to bring the identity back to the city."

The Mosul project was launched at the World Governments Summit 7 years ago, less than a year after the liberation of
the Iraqi city from Da'esh. Fighting and purposeful vandalism had destroyed much of the ancient city's historical

landmarks.

As the project nears completion, Azoulay reminisced about the enthusiasm of President His Highness Sheikh

Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to help support UNESCO at the time, saying that His Highness jumped on board the
project immediately. The UAE was the key financier of the $115 million project but also helped in training and

implementation.

Azoulay was joined on stage by Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, the UAE's Minister of Culture, who noted the restoration

of two churches in conjunction with the mosque as an example of the UAE's commitment to tolerance and cultural and
religious harmony and tolerance.

"These are the values of the UAE and our late father," he said. "The UAE's efforts are about reviving the multi-faith
identity, and with the help of UNESCO, we were able to do that."

Al Qassimi said in addition to the engineering and restoration work, it was empowering the people that formed the
centre of the country's strategy.

He said the UAE had trained 1500 Mosul residents for the project, empowering them with the professional skills
needed to maintain and implement the restoration and reconstruction of the historic sites.

"At the end of the day, those physical structures need to be there. They need to be constructed. But it's all about the

people with this project," he said. "Now those people can handle their jobs themselves."

The Mosul project has received worldwide acclaim and has become symbolic of Iraq's rise following decades of

devastating conflict.

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