We recently wrapped up the 3rd Bi-Monthly Meeting of the ICOMOS Sustainable Development Goals Working Group (SDGWG) for 2026. Led by our Focal Point, Dr. Naima Benkari, the session brought together global experts to discuss critical intersections of heritage, policy, and global advocacy.
Here are the key takeaways from our latest updates:
📊 1. Culture in Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs)
Our guest Stephen Wyber shared a promising analysis of the 36 VNRs published in 2026.
- 100% Inclusion: Every single report mentioned culture at least once.
- Leading the Charge: Nations like Estonia (introducing a dedicated “SDG 18” for culture), Italy, and Jamaica are formally pushing for a standalone Culture Goal in the post-2030 framework.
- Rising Trends: We are seeing an upward trend in recognizing cultural rights and international artist mobility alongside traditional heritage protection.
💧 2. Amplifying Water Heritage & Diplomacy
Our guest Meisha Hunter (ISC Water) brought critical insights from the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York.
- The Missing Link: While global state actors are pushing to accelerate SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), there remains a critical gap in recognizing traditional water management systems.
- Water Diplomacy: Traditional stewardship practices are powerful tools for peace-building and climate resilience. SDGWG is actively collaborating on a side event proposal for the upcoming UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi this December to bridge this gap.
🍂 3. Scaling Up for COP31 in Antalya
Ege Yıldırım outlined our expanding roadmap for COP31 (November 2026).
- ICOMOS is structuring a robust presence targeting archaeological risks, historic built environments, and vernacular water systems.
- Work has officially commenced on the Antalya Declaration on Climate Change and Cultural Heritage.
🚀 4. Looking Forward to GA2026 in Kuching
Our preparations for the ICOMOS General Assembly (GA26) in Malaysia are officially expanding into three major areas:
- Session 11 focused on research and article submissions.
- An Indigenous Knowledge Side Event highlighting native practices from Sarawak and Western Australia.
- A Live Workshop to train urban planning officials on successfully integrating culture into future VNRs.
A huge thank you to our brilliant presenters, guests, and dedicated Task Teams (including TT3 on Assessment Tools and TT9 on Communications) for their tireless work in translating global policy into localised action.
Together, we continue to prove that heritage is not just about the past; it is an indispensable blueprint for a sustainable future. 🌿
