Online technical workshops to support World Heritage properties in Iraq

A series of online workshops were organized by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (WHC) in collaboration with ICOMOS to support Iraq in its efforts towards the conservation of World Heritage properties, particularly those inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Within the framework of the UNESCO/Netherlands Funds-in-Trust project for 'Strengthening capacities in state of conservation reporting on properties inscribed on the list of World Heritage in Danger in Iraq,' an online meeting was organized on 9 May 2022 on the Reactive Monitoring process and state of conservation reporting envisaged by the Operational Guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention. The workshop, which was attended by representatives of the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities (SBAH) and site managers of World Heritage properties, aimed at contributing to strengthening the conservation, protection, and management of World Heritage properties, as well as and to reinforcing capacities on the effective use the Reactive Monitoring process. This meeting was followed by a two-day online workshop on 16 and 17 May 2022, to provide technical assistance for the preparation of Retrospective Statements of Outstanding Universal Value (RSOUV) for properties that do not yet have such a statement adopted by the World Heritage Committee. The workshop was conducted through an interactive format, with brief presentations and practical exercises.

Earlier, on 21 March 2022, and in follow up to an initial online meeting that took place on 13 January 2021, an online workshop was organized to support the Iraqi authorities and experts in the elaboration of a Desired state of conservation for the removal of Hatra from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), and to establish a programme for corrective measures with a timeframe for implementation. The workshop brought together representatives and experts of the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH), as well as experts of the International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies (ISMEO) and the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH), who are currently implementing a project at the site.

During the meeting, presentations were made, followed by discussions and an agreement on the way forward, which includes continued assistance towards the finalization of this process, with support by the World Heritage Fund and the Government of the Netherlands through the UNESCO/Netherlands Funds-in-Trust (NFiT).

Support in the organization of the meetings and workshops was provided by the Government of the Netherlands through the UNESCO/Netherlands Funds-in-Trust (NFiT).