Saudi Arabia, UNESCO launch Programme on Culture and Digital Technologies “Dive into Heritage" to promote and conserve World Heritage sites for future generations

Riyadh (UNA-OIC) - At the extended 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Riyadh this week, Saudi Arabia and UNESCO organized a side event on the Dive into Heritage initiative. This groundbreaking project will leverage digital technologies to explore and conserve UNESCO World Heritage sites and their related intangible heritage.

Dive into Heritage has been made possible through the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and has seen the team develop an online platform that will create unique ways to digitally experience World Heritage. The platform harnesses the power of digital technology such as 3D models, Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), interactive maps and geolocated narratives to recreate a truly accurate and immersive digital viewing experience.

The ‘Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Funds-in-Trust for Culture at UNESCO’ was established in 2019, following a commitment of US$25 million from the Government to fund UNESCO projects in support of the strategy and actions for the preservation of heritage. Phase I (2022-2024) of the Dive into Heritage initiative will see the development of a platform that allows people to digitally discover World Heritage sites in the Arab States region. A full public release of the platform is planned by the end of Phase I in 2024, when other regions will benefit from the Dive into Heritage programme.