Rafiq al-Akouri is a researcher and national expert in Yemeni cultural heritage. He holds a postgraduate diploma from the Higher Institute of Folk Arts, specializing in folklore methodologies and preservation techniques, and serves as a focal point and supervisor for Yemen’s cultural heritage files with UNESCO. Al-Akouri is the President of the Yemeni Organization for the Preservation of Yemeni Cultural Heritage and has participated in numerous national and international projects aimed at safeguarding cultural heritage. These include UNESCO projects focused on preserving Sana’ani singing and documenting children’s traditional play songs in Yemen. He is also Yemen’s representative to the International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance (ICTMD).