United Arab Emirates | World Heritage Explorer

The United Arab Emirates joined the World Heritage Convention in 2001. It is home to three World Heritage Sites. The United Arab Emirates ranks 29th worldwide and 14th in Asia by number of World Heritage Sites. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage.

United Arab Emirates as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: May 11, 2001

Status: Accession

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 2009-2013

Total of Mandate Years: 4

Total of Mandates: 1

WHC Electoral Group: V(b) (Arab States)

World Heritage Sites in United Arab Emirates (3)

Cultural: 2 | Natural: 1 | Mixed: 0

Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas) · Cultural
Faya Palaeolandscape · Cultural
Wadi Wurayah · Natural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in United Arab Emirates.

World Heritage Inscription Timeline

2011

Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas)

2025

Faya Palaeolandscape

2026

Wadi Wurayah

Tentative World Heritage Sites (16)

Hatta Archaeological Landscape (Emirate of Dubai) · submitted: May 15, 2023
Wadi Al Helo: Testimony of Bronze Age Copper Production · submitted: February 1, 2023
The Rock Art of the Emirate of Sharjah · submitted: February 1, 2023
Mleiha, Late Pre-Islamic Center of a South-East Arabian Kingdom · submitted: February 1, 2023
Wadi Wurayah National Park · submitted: September 19, 2021
The Cultural Landscape of Dhayah · submitted: July 26, 2020
The pearl trading town of Jazirat Al-Hamra · submitted: July 26, 2020
Trading town of Julfar · submitted: July 26, 2020
Shimal · submitted: July 26, 2020
Abu Dhabi Sabkha · submitted: June 20, 2018
Sharjah: the Gate to Trucial States · submitted: November 13, 2014
Settlement and Cemetery of Umm an-Nar Island · submitted: January 30, 2012
Sir Bu Nair Island · submitted: January 30, 2012
Khor Dubai · submitted: January 30, 2012
Ed-Dur Site · submitted: January 30, 2012
Al Bidya Mosque · submitted: January 30, 2012

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile United Arab Emirates

Official Name: United Arab Emirates

Continent: Asia

Subregion: Western Asia

UNESCO Region: Arab States

Capital: Abu Dhabi

Population (2024): 10,876,981

Land Area: 71,020 km²

Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham (AED)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party United Arab Emirates

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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