As part of the initial steps to add the historical area of Jeddah on the list of the international heritage sites, a delegate including representatives from the UNESCO, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and the Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) visited many historical sites in Jeddah and listened to a presentation from the vice president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiques – Antiques and Museums Affairs Dept. Dr. Ali Bin Ibrahim Alghaban, and from the head of the Municipality of the historical area of Jeddah Eng. Sami Nowar, and also from the head of the Antiques Office in the historical area of Jeddah Mr. Mohamed Al Eidros about the most important cultural monuments in the historical area of Jeddah and about the efforts of reserving, maintain, developing, and rehabilitating the sites. The Executive Manager of the Tourism and Antiques Commission of Mecca Mr. Mohamed Alomari accompanied the delegate during the round, where the delegate participated in a workshop about the historical area of Jeddah lasted for two days. A number of officials from other concerned entities have also participated, amongst which were the Emirate of Makah Province, Jeddah Governorate, the Civil Defense, Jeddah Police, the Chamber of Commerce, Riyadh Region Water and Sewer Authority, Ministry of Islamic Affairs and Endowment, Ministry of Labor, City Centers Development Company, Historical Area of Jeddah Development Company, Municipality of the Historical Area of Jeddah, and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiques. SCTA – Antiques and Monuments Vice-President Dr. Ali Bin Ibrahim Alghaban assured that the commission works attentively as per the instructions of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Al Faisal, President of the Higher Committee for the development of the historical area of Jeddah, and in accordance with the instructions of the Commission's President His Royal Highness Prince Hultan Bin Salman on committing to the required standards and conditions identified by the UNESCO, and adhering to the technical principles pertinent to adding the historical area amongst the international cultural heritage list. Alghaban explained upon the inauguration of the workshop that the Commission is connected with the UNESCO in many cooperation aspects including the studies and the development of the cultural areas, as well as the provision of opportunities to the experts of the Kingdom by the Organization in an appreciation to its importance as one of the establishing countries of the Organization. He added:"we don't look forward only to record the historical area of Jeddah amongst the International heritage list, but also to achieve further results represented in the contribution to the development of the area, and in ensuring its development and transform it to cultural and economic sites, which guarantees constant protection and care for these sites." From his side, Eng. Sami Nowar – President of Jeddah Municipality explained that the visit of the delegate included a meeting with the Mayor of Jeddah, and that comes as part of the steps intended to record the historical area of Jeddah in the international Heritage list.
