Doha, January 04 (QNA) - Secretary-General of the National Archives of Qatar Dr. Ahmed Abdullah Al Buainain affirmed that the Archives has completed an integrated documentation structure in cooperation with around 80 entities, as part of a national project aimed at preserving the country's historical memory and safeguarding national identity through a contemporary vision that combines institutional documentation, digital transformation, innovation, and sustainability.

In an interview with Qatari newspaper Al-Sharq, published Sunday, Al Buainain explained that the National Archives of Qatar represents the historical memory of the State and plays a pivotal role in managing, preserving, and providing access to documents through an integrated system. He stressed that, despite the Archives' relatively recent establishment, its achievements have extended from the local level to regional and international participation, reflecting growing confidence in Qatar's role in the field of documentation and archiving.

He noted that the Archives is close to completing a major project to document the history of Qatari newspapers, aimed at preserving the legacy of the national press and recording its evolution. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to prepare a directory of owners of documents and private libraries, contributing to the identification, registration, and digitization of this important heritage.

The Secretary-General pointed out that Qatar enjoys broad Arab confidence in the field of documentation, crowned by its chairmanship of the Memory of the World Committee t in the Arab region. He added that Doha will host an upcoming meeting of the Memory of the Arab World program under Qatar's leadership, in addition to preparations for a forthcoming Gulf meeting aimed at strengthening joint cooperation in the field of archives.

Regarding international cooperation, Al Buainain said that the National Archives of Qatar works with numerous entities abroad to identify documents related to Qatar's history, emphasizing that this work is conducted within clear legal frameworks that preserve the rights of institutions and individuals. Under the law, each entity retains the right to access its documents at any time and in any manner it chooses, he added.

He confirmed that private documents remain the property of their owners, and that the role of the Archives is limited to registering, digitizing, and preserving them. He noted that the Archives has observed a high level of cooperation and growing awareness among owners of private documents and libraries of the importance of documentation. He added that the "Journey of Knowledge" project was built entirely on private documents belonging to individuals and companies, serving as a model that reflects the value of this type of documentation in recording social and economic history.

In the same context, Al Buainain explained that the Archives places special emphasis on the “Oral History” project, which he described as a national initiative aimed at documenting the memories of pioneers and institutions, and preserving living testimonies that constitute an essential part of national history.

At the level of institutional development and capacity building, the Secretary-General revealed that 26 training courses were implemented during the first two months of the "Ousus" program, as part of the Archives' plans to promote a culture of documentation and build national competencies in this field.

He also announced the launch of a website for the National Archives of Qatar on Jan. 16, along with ongoing work to develop a dedicated search engine, given the significant informational and knowledge value of documents in supporting scientific research and decision-making.

Al Buainain expressed his pride in the efforts of the Ministry of Culture in registering the "Bisht" on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, considering it a national achievement that reflects the importance of documentation in preserving cultural heritage.

He concluded by affirming that the National Archives of Qatar is moving forward in building an integrated system for document management, based on digital transformation, innovation, and sustainability, ensuring the preservation of national memory and its accessibility to future generations in accordance with the highest professional standards. (QNA)