At a specialized conference on cultural heritage protection during conflicts and crises, experts examined the role of international legal frameworks in safeguarding cultural heritage and discussed Iran’s responsibilities and opportunities in this field.
Dr. Rasoul Vatandoust, distinguished cultural heritage scholar and former Director of International Relations at Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organization, emphasized the importance of active international engagement and proposed a global campaign to support damaged heritage sites.
Dr. Fatemeh Davari, Senior Advisor to the Deputy Minister of Cultural Heritage and former Director General for Conservation and Restoration of Historical Sites, highlighted the need to utilize international legal mechanisms such as the Hague Convention’s Enhanced Protection system and strengthen heritage crisis management.
Dr. Omid Ghanami, Director General of Legal Affairs and Properties at Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, stressed the importance of documenting heritage damage and using international legal instruments to pursue accountability for deliberate destruction.
Shahab Talaei, Director of the Think Tank for Tourism and Heritage Studies, described cultural heritage as a pillar of Iran’s national identity and called for a stronger Iranian role in shaping international heritage governance.
The speakers agreed that recent challenges underscore the need for stronger legal protections, international cooperation, and proactive heritage preservation policies.
