Irina Bokova, director general of Unesco, visited Al Ain today, home to the UAE's first Unesco World Heritage Site.

Led by Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), the tour started with Al Ain Oasis, inscribed on the Unesco list of World Heritage Sites, and included visits to key historic and cultural sites of Al Ain such as Qasr Al Muwaiji and Al Jahili Fort.

The tour coincided with the Culture Summit 2017 Abu Dhabi (April 9-13), which brings together leaders from the worlds of government, arts and media, technology and policy makers at Manarat Al Saadiyat to address the role culture can play in relation to some of the challenges of our time.

The oasis of Al Ain is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited oases and includes spectacular archaeological remains from over 5,000 years ago and wonderfully lush palm groves.

During the tour of Al Ain's sites, Al Mubarak said: "Al Ain is a prime example of Abu Dhabi's continued dedication to the preservation of historic sites that represent the rich and diverse history of the UAE. We are committed to ensuring that the wheels set in motion continue to move towards a tangible framework for the protection of culture for future generations."

Commenting on the tour of Al Ain's sites, Bokova said: "The world heritage sites of Al Ain testify to the wealth of cultural traditions in the United Arab Emirates. Unesco is committed to working with TCA Abu Dhabi to make the most of this potential for social cohesion, identity and dignity, as well as economic growth. I wish to pay tribute to the dedication of cultural authorities in fostering a strong vision of culture as a force for sustainable development and peace. We must continue working together to showcase the depth of this heritage and the values it carries for the young generation; this is also how we can respond to those who seek to exploit ignorance, distort history and manipulate culture. This is how we can defeat hatred and extremism." - TradeArabia News Service