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Saudi Arabia recently unveiled its stellar initiative: the ‘Dive into Heritage’ project in a dazzling intersection of tradition and modernity. This state-of-the-art undertaking, birthed in partnership with UNESCO, is set to transform our interaction with World Heritage sites, transporting them right into our digital realm.

The bustling city of Riyadh was abuzz during the 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Amidst the various deliberations, what stole the limelight was the ‘Dive into Heritage’ sideline event. The premise? To revolutionize how we perceive, conserve, and promote our past’s treasures for future generations wonderment.

The program’s backbone is a digitally immersive platform powered by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture. This isn’t just a step into the future—it’s a leap. With tech jewels like 3D modelling, Virtual and Augmented Reality, interactive mapping, and geolocated narratives, the Dive into Heritage initiative promises an unparalleled visual fest, as close to reality as digital can get.

Notably, Saudi Arabia’s dedication to cultural preservation isn’t new. In 2019, they put their commitment into numbers, establishing the ‘Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Funds-in-Trust for Culture at UNESCO’ with a substantial $25 million. The focus? To bolster UNESCO’s efforts in heritage preservation.

The Dive into Heritage program is split into phases. Phase I, spanning 2022-2024, zeroes in on the Arab States region, seeking to capture and recreate their rich World Heritage sites digitally. And this is just the beginning. By the end of this phase in 2024, a full public release of the platform is slated, promising a digital voyage of World Heritage marvels from other regions.

Ernesto Ottone, UNESCO’s Assistant Director General for Culture, didn’t mince his words. For him, Dive into Heritage isn’t just a project—it’s the dawn of a new digital age for World Heritage. With the limitless horizons of Artificial Intelligence, we’re on the brink of an experiential transformation. Dive into Heritage isn’t just about presenting heritage sites—it’s about breathing life into them, narrating tales that will echo through time, and letting people be a part of that timeless story.

But what’s innovation without discussion? A panel discussion enriched the event, drawing insights from the brains behind this colossal endeavour. Luminaries like Mr Suhail Mira from Historic Jeddah, Dr. Heba Aziz from the German University in Oman, Dr. Ona Vileikis of ICOMOS CIPA, Mr. Olivier Van Damme from UNITAR/UNOSAT, and Sheikh Ebrahim Alkhalifa, the Acting Director of the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage, enriched the discourse with their visionary perspectives.

The audience was treated to the project’s first fruits in a stunning climax. A mesmerizing display of high-definition 3D models of World Heritage sites, accompanied by tangible 3D printed replicas. It wasn’t just a showcase—it was a testament to what lies ahead, a tantalizing peek into the future of World Heritage, digitally reborn.

Discover more: whc.unesco.org/en/dive-into-heritage/.