Sharjah’s Coastal Fortified Network Added to UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List

Sharjah: The Coastal Fortified Network of South Eastern Arabia in the Emirate of Sharjah has been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List for World Heritage, marking another step in the emirate’s efforts to preserve and promote its archaeological and cultural heritage. 

The serial cultural property brings together three historic coastal centres — Dibba Al-Hisn, Khor Fakkan and Khor Kalba — which collectively illustrate the development of an interconnected maritime and defensive network along the UAE’s eastern coast. 

A Strategic Maritime Corridor

According to UNESCO, the three locations developed around sheltered coastal inlets where the Hajar Mountains meet the Oman Sea. Their natural harbours allowed vessels to anchor safely, take on supplies and connect maritime trade routes with inland caravan networks. 

Over centuries, these ports played an important role in trade, fishing, agriculture and navigation across the western Indian Ocean.

The network also reflects changing political and maritime control in the region — from the commercial influence of the Kingdom of Hormuz, through Portuguese control in the 17th century, and later to the emergence of Al Qasimi maritime authority. 

Three Historic Components

The proposed heritage property consists of:
•    Dibba Al-Hisn 
•    Khor Fakkan 
•    Khor Kalba 

Together, they represent an integrated system of fortified coastal settlements that helped regulate navigation, protect trade routes and support coastal administration along the Sea of Oman. 

Archaeological evidence at the sites includes fortifications, wells, settlement remains, date-processing installations and other structures associated with the communities that lived and traded along the coast. 

Recognised for Cultural Significance

The UAE submitted the property to UNESCO on July 28, 2026, under cultural criteria (iii), (iv) and (vi). The submission was made by the UAE’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, with the site falling under the jurisdiction of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority. 

The Sharjah Archaeology Authority said the addition represents an important milestone in strengthening Sharjah’s position on the international cultural heritage map and supports ongoing efforts to document and safeguard historically significant sites. 

The property is legally protected under Sharjah Law No. 4 of 2020 on Cultural Heritage. 

What Does UNESCO’s Tentative List Mean?

Being placed on UNESCO’s Tentative List does not mean the site has already been inscribed as a World Heritage Site.

The Tentative List is an official inventory of properties a country may consider nominating for future inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The Coastal Fortified Network is now one of the UAE properties appearing on that list. 

The latest inclusion highlights the historical importance of Sharjah’s eastern coastline and its role in centuries of trade, maritime defence, cultural exchange and regional political development.