Unlawful destruction of cultural heritage in the event of armed  conflicts can exacerbate conflicts - joint press statement of FMs`  meeting of Ancient Civilizations Forum 

ArmInfo.The Foreign Ministers and their alternates of the member states of the Ancient Civilizations Forum, the Republic of Armenia, the People's Republic of China, the Hellenic Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Iraq, and the Republic of Peru, held the meeting on 25 September 2024 on the margins of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting was chaired by Ararat Mirzoyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.

The Ministers:

Reaffirmed the commitments enshrined in the Athens Declaration (2017)  establishing the Forum and the Declaration of Tiwanaku (2018), the  Beijing Declaration (2019); the Declaration of the Lima Forum of  Ancient Civilizations (2020); the outcome of the fifth virtual  ministerial meeting hosted by Peru (2021), the Baghdad Declaration  (2022), the Tehran Declaration (2023) and stressed the key role of  the Ancient Civilizations Forum as a platform for intercultural  dialogue and cooperation among its member states, aimed at promoting  their ancient heritage and fostering a culture of peace and  non-violence.

Recalled the 70th anniversary of The Hague Convention for the  Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954)  as a key document for international cooperation on the protection and  preservation of cultural heritage in times of armed conflicts,  whether international or non-international.

Recalled all relevant resolutions of the General Assembly on  promoting understanding, development, and exchange among  civilizations and cultures, in particular the recently adopted  resolution entitled International Day for Dialogue among  Civilizations, recognizing that civilization achievements constitute  the collective heritage of humankind, and encouraging dialogue among  civilizations in order to promote international peace and security,  human welfare, freedom and progress everywhere, as well as raising  awareness of the value of the diversity of civilizations.

Emphasized that the unlawful destruction of cultural heritage, and  the looting and smuggling of cultural property, including religious  sites and artifacts, in the event of armed conflicts and the attempts  to deny historical roots, cultural identity, and cultural diversity  in this context can fuel and exacerbate conflict, thereby undermining  the security, stability, governance, social, economic and cultural  development of affected States and realization of human rights, in  particular cultural rights.

Underscored the need to strengthen the cooperation aimed at  protecting and promoting the historical and cultural heritage of  their peoples, as the common legacy of the whole mankind.

Stressed that the preservation of the cultural heritage of ancient  civilizations plays an important role in advancing tolerance, and  non-discrimination, combating hate speech and xenophobia, and  building just, peaceful, and inclusive societies.

Recognized the role of sustainable tourism including cultural and  religious tourism in protection, conservation and management of their  cultural heritage of outstanding universal value, including cultural  and religious sites while achieving sustainable economic development.

Emphasized the importance of ancient civilizations in providing  valuable collaborative solutions for the global challenges facing  humanity today, in particular, climate change, water scarcity,  poverty, and geopolitical tensions.

Emphasized the importance of addressing the underlying drivers of  hate, violence and conflict to promote a culture of peace and called  for promoting the virtues of interreligious and intercultural  dialogue, respect for diversity of civilizations, inclusion, and  human rights in advancing peace, security, and sustainable  development and responding to global challenges.

Emphasized the need to strengthen cultural heritage resilience, to  protect it from the effects of climate change and address its impact  in a coordinated way, both at international and national levels.

Underlined that the digital sphere and its ongoing transformation are  an important area for global action on building a culture of peace  and highlighted also the significant role of new technologies in the  monitoring, preservation and restoration of cultural heritage.

Welcomed the central role played by the United Nations Educational,  Scientific and Cultural Organization in protecting cultural heritage  and promoting culture as an instrument to bring people closer  together and foster dialogue.

Expressed appreciation for the ongoing efforts of the United Nations  Alliance of Civilizations in promoting a culture of peace through a  number of practical projects in the areas of youth, education, media,  and migration.

Emphasized the importance of the implementation of legally binding  decisions of the International Court of Justice, related to the  prevention and punishment of acts of vandalism directed against  cultural and religious heritage.

Supported engagement with civil society and other relevant  stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, national  human rights institutions, religious leaders and faith-based  organizations, indigenous peoples, women's organizations, youth,  media, and private sector in promoting the values of the culture of  peace, tolerance, and respect for religious and cultural diversity.

Agreed that strengthening of capacities of the Ancient Civilizations  Forum will raise its visibility in the international fora and enable  stronger, more coherent, and efficient cooperation among its member  states.

The Ministers thanked the Islamic Republic of Iran for hosting the  7th Ministerial Meeting of the Ancient Civilizations Forum and  expressed support for the Republic of Armenia to host the 8th  Ministerial Meeting of the Ancient Civilizations Forum in Armenia on  18 December 2024.