JEDDAH: Discussions were held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Islamic Cooperation Organization (ICO) in Jeddah to establish a platform to preserve cultural heritage. The platform aims to preserve the heritage and monuments of the Muslim world. The Secretary-General of the ICO Dr. Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen stressed that the project is a confirmation of the organization’s unwavering commitment to promote joint Islamic work in the field of heritage conservation. “It also translates the organization’s desire to catch up with the international community in its increasing efforts to preserve and protect the cultural heritage of member states, as a living witness to the richness and diversity of the Muslim world,” he said. He added that safeguarding Arab heritage adds a cultural dimension to development policies and promotes cohesion between national cultural policies and international cooperation programs. Ismail Al-Hammadi, director of the physical heritage department at the UAE Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, said the platform would contribute to empowering the pillars of culture, which in turn would strengthen the economies of the organization’s countries. In his speech to the session, the French consul general in Jeddah and envoy to the organization, Mustafa Maharaj, stressed the need for foreign expertise in heritage conservation so as to integrate efforts between the ICO and the international community.