ICOMOS SDGWG Hosted International Panel on Heritage in Times of Crisis for IDMS 2026
As part of International Day for Monuments and Sites 2026 (IDMS 2026), the ICOMOS Sustainable Development Goals Working Group convened an international panel titled “Heritage during Natural Disasters and Armed Conflicts.” The event brought together global experts to examine how cultural heritage protection can align with sustainable development priorities, with a particular focus on community resilience and living heritage.
Community Resilience at the Core of Heritage Protection
Aligned with Step 2 of the International Council on Monuments and Sites Triennial Scientific Plan, the panel emphasized the central role of communities as custodians of heritage:
- Indigenous leadership and knowledge systems: Stacy Vallis highlighted bicultural partnerships in New Zealandas a leading model, while Usman Sami underscored the importance of respecting ancestral knowledge in the face of climate challenges.
- Restoration as a social contract: Luna Rajab stressed that historic urban spaces such as Damascus and Tunisremain “living heritage” only when restoration prioritizes local communities.
- Cultural justice in recovery: Geraldine Freyria Ojeda Flon advocated for inclusive recovery approaches that respect the diversity of communities, including the 16 ethno-linguistic groups in Oaxaca.
- Operational protection measures: Shervin Goodarzi highlighted the importance of vulnerability mapping and the use of the Blue Shield under the 1954 Hague Convention to safeguard heritage during conflict.
Strengthening Advocacy and the Rule of Law
The panel discussion underscored the urgent need for stronger implementation of international legal frameworks:
- Raising global visibility: Kerime Danis called for increased international awareness of the threats facing living heritage.
- Real-time advocacy: Clara Arokiasamy emphasised the importance of acting during crises, not only in their aftermath.
- Equal protection under the law: Dennis van Nieuwenhuijzen and Shireen Allan highlighted the need for consistent application of legal protections across all regions.
- Measuring preparedness: Fakhrisadat Ojaghzadeh proposed evidence-based indicators to assess risk preparedness in line with the Hague Convention.
- Heritage and recovery: James Ritson concluded by emphasising heritage as a foundation for psychological continuity and post-crisis recovery.
Looking Ahead
Ensuring the universal application of international law remains central to Sustainable Development Goal 16. As ICOMOS moves toward the 2027 “Recovery” phase of its Scientific Plan, the SDGWG reaffirms its commitment to equitable and inclusive heritage stewardship worldwide.
The Working Group extends its sincere thanks to the SDGWG TT9 Communications Team for their outstanding coordination of this international and cross-disciplinary dialogue.
The video of this event will be accessible through our YouTube Channel.
