Federal Minister for National Heritage & Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, leading Pakistan’s delegation at the 34th General Assembly of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation & Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to global heritage protection.
Addressing the Assembly in Rome, the minister underscored the urgent need for collective action to safeguard cultural heritage amid increasing threats posed by climate change, natural disasters, and armed conflicts. “Pakistan remains fully committed to working with ICCROM to safeguard our shared heritage for future generations,” he stated in his national address.
He highlighted Pakistan’s active engagement with ICCROM’s flagship initiatives, including World Heritage Leadership, Disaster Risk Management, and programmes focused on youth participation in heritage conservation.
Khichi also endorsed ICCROM’s new strategic directions for 2026–2031, emphasising the importance of enhanced South-South cooperation. He shared Pakistan’s experience in post-flood heritage recovery, a contribution that was warmly received by member states.
His participation in the ICCROM GA aligns with Pakistan’s broader cultural diplomacy efforts, including recent engagements such as the OIC Cultural Festival in Baku. The visit is expected to open further avenues for technical assistance, training, and knowledge exchange to strengthen national conservation projects.
