Director-General News

Agreement signed to empower a new generation of Africans with skills to conserve heritage and catalyze long-term development

Phase 2 of READY Track 01 brings together 25 participants from over 20 countries in Latvia for hands-on training to strengthen skills, coordination, and resilience in protecting cultural heritage from disasters, extreme weather, and armed conflicts.

During the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, ICCROM and the Republic of Uzbekistansigned a Memorandum of Understanding, marking a significant milestone in their growing partnership.

ICCROM and the Government of the Italian Republic have signed a new agreement securing the temporary relocation of ICCROM’s headquarters while its historic premises in Rome undergo essential renovations.

On 6 May 2025, ICCROM Director-General Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral had the honour of welcoming H.E. Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou, Deputy Minister of Culture of Cyprus, accompanied by H.E. Mr Yiorgos Christofides, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Italy. The delegation also included Mrs Kypriani Stavrinaki, Counsellor at the Embassy, and Dr Skevi Christodoulou, Advisor to the Deputy Minister.

ICCROM Director-General Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral had the honour of welcoming H.E. Mrs. Hmway Hmway Khyne, Ambassador of Myanmar to Italy, on 30 April 2025.

The ICCROM-IUCN World Heritage Leadership Annual Donor Group Meeting took place online on 3-4 April, with representatives from the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, the Norwegian Cultural Heritage Directorate, the Norwegian Environment Agency and IUCN.

On 14 April 2024, the Director-General of ICCROM, Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, welcomed representatives from the Embassy of Sweden and members of the Swedish Parliamentary Committee on Culture to ICCROM headquarters in Rome.

On 25 March 2025, ICCROM's Director-General, Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, had the pleasure of signing an agreement to receive a generous donation to the ICCROM Archives — an invaluable photographic collection by Tito Spini and Giovanna Antongini.

WHAPS is a training and international cooperation project which aims to enhance the skills of African cultural heritage professionals as they navigate the complexities of nominating sites to the UNESCO World Heritage Lists and managing heritage sites effectively. This is particularly crucial in the face of growing external threats such as mass tourism and infrastructure expansion.