The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a workshop, on 1-3 December 2022, in Burkina Faso, on the challenges of preserving and protecting cultural heritage against terrorist threats, in cooperation with the Ministry of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, the National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO, and the General Administration of the National Museum of Burkina Faso.

The workshop aimed to enhance the capacities of 30 professionals in the field of preserving and protecting cultural heritage, identifying potential crises and threats to museums and cultural heritage, identifying means of protecting and preserving cultural heritage during armed conflicts and mastering various mechanisms for protecting cultural property.

During the opening of the workshop, Mr. Lombo Marius, on behalf of the Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, and Dr. Fatié Ouattara, Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO and ICESCO, commended ICESCO’s initiatives aimed at strengthening efforts to curb illicit trafficking in cultural property and protect the cultural heritage of Muslim countries.

The workshop also cast light on the implementation of international agreements to protect cultural heritage during crises and armed conflicts and enabled professionals to exchange experiences in the field of protecting cultural property in times of insecurity.