Message from the President

Teresa Patrício at the ICOMOS General Assembly in Marrakech, 2019

I am delighted to share with you the Annual Report of ICOMOS’ activities in 2021, the result of the collaboration of our members, our partners and our Secretariat.

The health crisis we have been experiencing for the past two years demonstrates the universal nature of the challenges we are called to address today. In the face of accelerating societal change, ICOMOS plays a crucial role in providing solutions for heritage conservation around the world. This report illustrates the wide range of efforts being made by ICOMOS as a whole to overcome these challenges.

The results of our work in 2021 prove that ICOMOS is a proactive and informed organisation and that we are developing new approaches and continuously integrating diverse perspectives.

This underlying framework is the basis for the conversations and exchanges that have taken place at our statutory meetings, conferences and webinars that continually demonstrate that we are an active network. I am delighted to see the ever-increasing number of participants in our activities. As President, I would also like to thank all those who donated on GivingTuesday to support ICOMOS Culture-Nature initiatives! We appreciate your efforts and regularly reflect on what our growth means for our ability to serve our members as well as our partners who look to ICOMOS for support and expertise.

We continue to act on our responsibilities and defend our field of expertise. In 2021, ICOMOS organised and participated in multiple activities that attest to ICOMOS’ leadership in cultural heritage conservation. To name a few, we actively participated in the G20 Culture Ministers’ meetings, and we co-sponsored the International Meeting on Culture, Heritage and Climate Change with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and UNESCO. This meeting opened new perspectives for understanding the cultural

dimensions of the climate emergency. ICOMOS is also part of the CVI-Africa Climate Vulnerability project, which aims to improve preparedness measures for African cultural heritage sites and communities in light of climate change. Creating new alliances is part of our global position and our responsibilities in the field. In 2021, ICOMOS signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Organization of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) to promote the role of culture and heritage in sustainable development. We have already collaborated on several initiatives, enabling our two organisations to develop a common understanding of the need to recognize the transformative potential of cultural development for the future of cities and the world.

I am particularly proud of our new publications which are the result of our multiple partnerships. The European Cultural Heritage Green Paper was produced by Europa Nostra in close collaboration with ICOMOS and the Climate Heritage Network, with contributions from other members of the European Heritage Alliance. This unique document focuses on the role of cultural heritage in achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal. The joint ICOMOS-ICCROM publication “Analysis of Case Studies in Recovery and Reconstruction” and the study “Exploring Cultural Heritage of the Arab Region: Potential offered for a more balanced World Heritage List” by ICOMOS and the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage are some examples of ICOMOS’ work that reaffirm that being a strong voice is also being firm on its commitments. For ICOMOS, advocacy is at the core of our actions.

Reflecting on what we stand for, serving our members better, devising innovative approaches, defending our relevance and promoting our work has been an exercise that ICOMOS has consistently undertaken in 2021 and will continue to undertake in 2022.

Thanks to the commitment and support of our members and partners, we will continue our shared work for the benefit of the world’s heritage.

Teresa Patrício

President

From left to right: Gwenaëlle Bourdin, Evaluation Unit Director; Teresa Patrício, President; Marie-Laure Lavenir, Director General; and Regina Durighello, Advisory and Monitoring Unit Director, virtually attending the Extended 44th session of the World Heritage Committee

An Active Network

Wanshou Pagoda in the twilight, Quanzhou Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan, China, a 2021 World Heritage inscription