World Heritage Day, Syria, the cradle of civilizations

Since the dawn of history, Syria has been a cradle of civilizations and a compass for humanity's pursuit of knowledge. In Ebla, the oldest archives in the world were recorded, and in Ugarit, the first alphabet in history emerged. From ancient Damascus to Palmyra, Bosra, the Citadel of Aleppo, Krak des Chevaliers, and the Citadel of Saladin, all the way to the villages of the north and the fortresses of Semaan, Ja'bar, Rahba, and Sukkar in eastern Syria, landmarks abound, telling unique stories that reflect a rich cultural diversity. Today, on the occasion of World Heritage Day, we celebrate this heritage that remains a testament to the greatness of Syrian civilization, and we reaffirm that protecting this heritage is a shared responsibility, for protecting the past is a step towards shaping a bright future.