Rome, 11 December 2025 — Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi, leading Pakistan’s delegation to the 34th General Assembly of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), underscored the urgent need for collective action to protect cultural sites threatened by climate change, natural disasters and armed conflict. “Pakistan remains fully committed to working with ICCROM to safeguard our shared heritage for future generations,” he said in his national statement.
The minister highlighted Pakistan’s active involvement in ICCROM initiatives including World Heritage Leadership, Disaster Risk Management and youth engagement programmes, underlining that these collaborations are central to Pakistan’s approach to heritage protection. He formally endorsed ICCROM’s strategic directions for 2026–2031 and called for stronger South‑South cooperation to build regional capacity.
Drawing on recent domestic experience, Khichi shared Pakistan’s work on post‑flood heritage recovery and practical measures taken to stabilise and restore damaged sites. His account of field-level recovery, emergency planning and community mobilisation drew positive response from member states and positioned Pakistan as a contributor to shared learning on disaster response and resilience.
The minister’s participation in the ICCROM assembly complements Pakistan’s wider cultural diplomacy, following engagements such as the OIC Cultural Festival in Baku. Officials say the visit is expected to unlock further technical assistance, specialised training and knowledge exchange that will strengthen national conservation projects and local capacities.
By reaffirming partnerships with ICCROM and advancing collaborative programs, Pakistan aims to translate international cooperation into concrete outcomes on the ground. Continued focus on heritage protection, capacity building and regional collaboration remains a priority as the country prepares for future conservation challenges.
