Abu Dhabi’s cultural leader receives Hadrian Award for heritage stewardship
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, has been honoured by the World Monuments Fund with the Hadrian Award, recognising his distinguished work in protecting and preserving global cultural heritage.
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The Hadrian Award, presented at the 37th annual Hadrian Gala at the Waldorf Astoria New York on 28 October, recognises champions of conservation who have made distinguished contributions to safeguarding the world’s shared cultural heritage. Established in 1988 by the World Monuments Fund, the award carries considerable weight within international preservation circles, with past honourees including His Majesty King Charles III, architect Peter Marino, art historian Dr. Marilyn Perry and philanthropist David M. Rubenstein.
His Excellency Al Mubarak’s recognition reflects Abu Dhabi’s sustained commitment to heritage stewardship across multiple dimensions. The emirate has championed the revitalisation of Qasr Al Hosn, one of its most significant historic landmarks, whilst advancing the protection of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the Al Ain Region. Beyond these domestic endeavours, his leadership extends to international conservation efforts through his role as Vice Chair of ALIPH, the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas, which directs resources towards vulnerable cultural sites across the globe.
In accepting the award, His Excellency underscored the collective nature of Abu Dhabi’s heritage mission, crediting the thousands of individuals and teams within the Department of Culture and Tourism and partner organisations who share a commitment to protecting cultural identity and preservation. He traced this vision to the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father, who positioned heritage conservation at the centre of the nation’s long term development decades ago.
The World Monuments Fund, founded in 1965, stands as the leading independent organisation dedicated to safeguarding cultural heritage globally. With over six decades of experience, it has preserved more than 700 sites across 112 countries, including 68 projects spanning 13 Arab nations since the 1990s.
Imagery courtesy of Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.
