Rome, 18 June 2025 — The Director-General of ICCROM (the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) and the Government of the Italian Republic have signed an Agreement securing the temporary relocation of ICCROM’s headquarters while its historic premises undergo essential renovations.
The Agreement, signed today in the presence of the Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Edmondo Cirielli, reinforces Italy’s longstanding and reinvigorated support to ICCROM, which dates back to the 1957 Headquarters Agreement signed with UNESCO, establishing ICCROM’s legal status and the Government’s commitment to provide premises for the Centre’s operations.
Under this Agreement, ICCROM will temporarily relocate to the Monumental Complex of San Francesco a Ripa, located near its permanent headquarters in Rome’s Trastevere district.
Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, Director-General of ICCROM, stated: “On behalf of ICCROM, I am deeply grateful to the Italian Government for its steadfast and strengthened support, which enables ICCROM to continue its mission with renewed energy and vision. This Agreement not only ensures the continuity of our work, but reaffirms Italy’s commitment to enable ICCROM's positioning at the forefront of global efforts to conserve and safeguard cultural heritage as a driver of sustainable development, and as an accelerator of economic growth and social cohesion. As we embark on this new chapter, ICCROM renews its commitment to placing cultural heritage and cultural diplomacy at the heart of an integrated, innovative, and transformative trajectory of change for people, communities, and the planet, for the benefit of present and future generations.”
Carefully coordinated by ICCROM and the Ministry of Culture, the relocation ensures a seamless transition while safeguarding the Organization’s institutional continuity and investing in its long-term capacity and infrastructure. The renovation of ICCROM’s historic premises will not only enhance working conditions but also expand the Organization’s ability to serve its Member States worldwide through essential capacity building and technical assistance.
"The Italian Government is committed to a comprehensive action to promote peace, stability and sustainable development. We believe that cultural diplomacy is a fundamental way to achieve those goals. Thanks to the agreements signed today, the Ministry of Culture is making its skills and human resources available to implement, together with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, international cooperation initiatives in the cultural field for the benefit of our partners, from Ukraine to Africa" Alessandro Giuli, Italian Minister of culture said.
In his remarks, Edmondo Cirielli, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation made mention of an upcoming multi-year regional programme ICCROM will lead, stating, "I also welcome the signing of the agreement between the Ministry of Culture and ICCROM, to which the Agency for Development Cooperation has allocated a contribution of 6 million euros for a regional project to strengthen the capacity for the conservation of cultural heritage in Africa".
Scheduled to begin in the coming months, the temporary move paves the way for a revitalized and modernized headquarters—an inspiring space that will foster innovation and strengthen global engagement in conserving and safeguarding cultural heritage for long lasting impact and responsible development for today and for the generations to come.
