HIST, ICCROM sign Agreement for Collaboration on Space Technologies for World Cultural Heritage Conservation

On 24 October 2022, an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST) under the auspices of UNESCO and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage (ICCROM) to advance collaboration on applying space technologies to monitor, conserve and protect World Cultural Heritage sites.

The MOU was signed by Prof. GUO Huadong, Director of HIST, and Dr. Webber Ndoro, Director General of ICCROM through an online ceremony.

Both HIST and ICCROM are committed to maintaining long-term strategic partnership for the protection and conservation of World Cultural Heritage sites and advancing specific areas of collaboration: monitoring and evaluation, research and consultation, capacity building and the exchange of experts and information sharing.

"As this year marks the 50th anniversary of World Heritage Convention, it is significant that both sides will take a series of concerted actions to offer global public goods and services to assist UNESCO and ICCROM Member States in the implementation of the Convention and UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development', said Prof. Guo.

Dr. Webber Ndoro held that the World Cultural and Natural Heritage properties are great treasures that ICCROM is committed to conserving. "We look forward to working with HIST to use advanced technology to better conserve, manage and sustainably care for our heritage", he added.

The International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST) under the auspices of UNESCO is an international organization established in 2011 by UNESCO as a Category 2 Centre in Beijing, China, and hosted by the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage (ICCROM) is an intergovernmental organization created by UNESCO in 1956 to act as a centre of global expertise on the conservation of cultural heritage.

World Cultural Heritage represents priceless and irreplaceable assets for humankind. There are 897 cultural heritage sites and 39 mixed (both cultural and natural) sites inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List.

The 44th extended session of the World Heritage Committee requested States Parties, the World Heritage Centre, the Advisory Bodies (of which ICCROM is a part), UNESCO Category 2 Centres and other relevant institutions to continue exploring collaborative partnerships with the aim of using cutting-edge technology and innovation for the benefit of maintaining our bond with the past.

Prof. Huadong Guo and Dr. Webber Ndoro sign the MOU. (Image by AIR)

Representatives from HIST and ICCROM during the online signing ceremony. (Image by AIR)