Big Data's Role in Heritage Preservation Highlighted at 46th UNESCO World Heritage Committee Session

A side event titled "Big Data for Sustainable Development of World Heritage Sites" was held on July 26 during the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, India. The event was co-hosted by the International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST) under the auspices of UNESCO, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT), China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation and Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau.

The event attracted representatives from over 20 countries, including the United States, France, Australia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Tanzania. Notable attendees included QIN Changwei, Secretary General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO; GUO Huadong, Director of HIST; Marie-Laure Lavenir, Director General of ICOMOS; and Guy Debonnet, Chief of Natural Heritage Unit at the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

In his video remarks, GUO Huadong warmly welcomed the participants and highlighted HIST's extensive collaboration with international organizations such as ICOMOS, along with its partnerships with over 50 countries. He mentioned that HIST has conducted more than 70 research projects across 30 UNESCO Member States and has trained over 500 heritage professionals, significantly advancing heritage conservation and management in relevant UNESCO Member States.

Guo also emphasized HIST's pioneering role in the field of space archaeology and called for the future use of digital technologies to further strengthen interdisciplinary research and cutting-edge application, enhance international coordination and collaboration among different UNESCO designation mechanisms, and increase capacity-building activities to enhance the conservation of UNESCO-designated sites. 

In his remarks, QIN Changwei highlighted China's great contributions to global heritage protection as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention. He praised HIST's remarkable achievements in international research, capacity building, and academic exchange since its establishment, noting that these efforts have been widely recognized by UNESCO and its member states. Qin also affirmed that the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO will continue to support HIST and its partners in advancing global heritage protection efforts.

The topics discussed encompassed the digitization of cultural heritage, the role of big data in promoting its sustainability, and risk monitoring and management. These discussions led to a consensus on the need to establish an international mechanism on the emergency monitoring and assessment of heritage sites in case of natural disasters. 

The event highlighted the critical role of big data in heritage conservation, management, and sustainable development. It also facilitated international collaboration among UNESCO, the advisory bodies to the World Heritage Convention, State Parties, heritage site management agencies, and research institutions, all working together to harness big data for the protection of world heritage.

GUO Huadong, Director of HIST, delivers a video address. 

QIN Changwei, Secretary General of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO gives a speech. 

A scene of the side event.