Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak honoured with the Hadrian Award for cultural stewardship

The Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi receives international recognition from the World Monuments Fund for his visionary leadership in preserving the emirate's rich cultural legacy

The elegant ballrooms of New York fell silent as Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, stepped forward to receive the Hadrian Award from the World Monuments Fund. It was a moment that distilled years of dedication to the protection and preservation of cultural identity into a single, luminous acknowledgement on the international stage.

Presented at the 37th annual Hadrian Gala in November 2026, the award recognised Al Mubarak’s exceptional leadership in safeguarding the world’s shared cultural heritage. The distinction placed him among an illustrious lineage of recipients, including King Charles III of the United Kingdom, celebrated architect Peter Marino, art historian Marilyn Perry, and philanthropist David Rubenstein. Since its establishment in 1988, the Hadrian Award has honoured leading figures whose contributions to heritage conservation resonate across borders and generations.

In his address before international cultural leaders, philanthropists and conservation experts, Al Mubarak reflected on the profound responsibility this recognition entails. “I receive this award with immense pride on behalf of the millions across Abu Dhabi, particularly the dedicated teams at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and our partners, who share a commitment to protecting cultural identity and heritage,” he said. He positioned the award not as a personal accolade but as testament to a collective vision rooted in the emirate’s foundational principles.

That vision traces directly to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father, who placed heritage preservation at the very centre of the nation’s identity. As Al Mubarak noted, “today we continue to carry this vision forward.” This commitment manifests across Abu Dhabi in tangible forms: the opening of the Al Hosn area in central Abu Dhabi, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites that grace the Al Ain Region, and the careful stewardship of the capital’s modern heritage. As we reported previously, His Excellency has reflected deeply on how childhood memories shaped his vision for keeping Abu Dhabi’s culture alive and accessible to all.

Beyond Abu Dhabi’s shores, Al Mubarak extends this commitment through his role as Vice-Chair of the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas, an organisation that supports vulnerable cultural sites across the globe. The World Monuments Fund, itself a formidable custodian with over 60 years of experience preserving more than 700 sites across 112 countries, recognised in Al Mubarak a kindred spirit in this urgent work of protection.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

This recognition elevates Abu Dhabi’s profile as a leader in global heritage conservation, signalling to the international community that the emirate’s commitment to cultural stewardship stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s most respected institutions. It underscores the sophistication and gravitas with which Abu Dhabi approaches the preservation of both its own heritage and vulnerable sites worldwide.

For Abu Dhabi and its people, the award affirms that heritage protection is not merely custodianship of the past, but an investment in identity, continuity and the cultural soul that binds communities together. It demonstrates that the vision established by the UAE’s Founding Father continues to guide the emirate’s trajectory, positioning Abu Dhabi as a beacon for thoughtful, visionary heritage leadership in an era when cultural protection has never been more vital.

Source: WAM