UNESCO

"Preserving Islamic cultural heritage and values in occupied territories affected by war, conflict, and foreign control"

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is dedicated to promoting peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture. A vital issue on its agenda is “Preserving Islamic Cultural Heritage and Values in Occupied Territories Affected by War, Conflict, and Foreign Control.”

In recent decades, armed conflicts, foreign occupations, and deliberate acts of destruction have severely threatened Islamic cultural sites and traditions across regions such as Palestine, Syria, Iraq, and parts of Central Asia and Africa. From ancient mosques and libraries to intangible heritage like religious practices, languages, and social customs, much of this cultural identity faces the danger of erasure.

UNESCO plays a pivotal role in documenting, restoring, and protecting these endangered heritages under international conventions like the 1954 Hague Convention and the 1972 World Heritage Convention. This committee will focus on strategies for safeguarding Islamic heritage in conflict zones, preventing illicit trafficking of artifacts, and reinforcing the cultural rights of local populations, while also addressing the political complexities surrounding foreign control and occupation.