Sharjah Book Authority Funds $6M Effort to Digitise UNESCO’s Archives

The Sharjah Book Authority has officially committed USD 6 million to a five-year global preservation initiative that will see UNESCO’s archives digitised for the first time. 

Aiming to protect and democratise access to nearly eight decades of international cultural, educational and diplomatic records, the project will convert 2.5 million pages of historical documents, 165,000 rare photographs, and thousands of hours of audio and video recordings into open-access digital formats. Currently, only 5% of UNESCO’s extensive archive has been digitised—leaving the remaining 95% vulnerable to time, fragility, and limited accessibility.

Launched at a formal signing ceremony held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the project was attended by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. During his visit, Sheikh Dr. Sultan toured the archive, reviewing deteriorating documents that underscore the urgency of the preservation effort.

The digitisation initiative will protect key records that reflect UNESCO’s global mission—from peace treaties and summit documentation to educational initiatives and cultural heritage strategies. The resulting archive will provide a vital resource for scholars, educators, students, and institutions worldwide, offering unprecedented access to the historical backbone of multilateral collaboration.