On 16 June, ICCROM played host to the first meeting of the newly created ICOMOS Scientific Council.  The Council was created at the 15th General Assembly of ICOMOS held in Xi'an, China in 2005, in order to foster better cooperation and communication amongst the 28 International Scientific Committees (ISC).  The meeting was held at Palazzo Massimo in Rome with over 30 representatives of the ISC in attendance as well as members of the ICOMOS Bureau and Executive Committee.  Opening addresses were made by Dr Angelo Bottini, Archaeological Superintendent of Rome, Dr Mounir Bouchenaki, Director-General of ICCROM, and Dr Michael Petzet, President of ICOMOS.

This first meeting discussed both logistical issues related to the future operation of the new Council as well as the possible content of the ICOMOS scientific programme for the next triennium.  Issues related to World Heritage and how the International Scientific Committees can contribute to the work of ICOMOS in its role as Advisory Body to the World Heritage Convention were also discussed.   

The following day, 17 June, ICCROM hosted the ICOMOS Bureau meeting at its premises at Via di San Michele.  In attendance were ICOMOS Bureau members as well as observers from the Executive Committee and ICCROM staff.  As part of the meeting a presentation was made by a delegation from Iraq discussing the difficulties faced in the conservation of their cultural heritage. A presentation was also made by a delegation from China on a proposed ICOMOS centre in Xi'an.   

updated on: 12 January, 2007