The world commemorates April 18 as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, which is an opportunity to recall the importance of tangible and intangible cultural heritage in the whole world, in general, and the abundance, diversity and authenticity of heritage in the Islamic world in particular, which bears witness to its remarkable contributions in shaping human civilization.

On this occasion, the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) renews its call for preserving and valorizing the Islamic world heritage, raising awareness of its importance all over the world, sustaining efforts to highlight the great importance of preserving and promoting this cultural heritage and intensifying efforts geared toward its inscription on World Heritage Lists.

On this occasion, ICESCO stresses the importance of highlighting cultural heritage of all kinds in its Member States and urges that efforts be aimed at the protection of historical monuments and sites. In this context, the Organization recalls its unwavering efforts to protect its Member States’ heritage, mainly through the establishment of the Islamic World Heritage Center, the organization of multiple training sessions geared towards building the capacities of heritage professionals in Member States, the creation of a portal for heritage promotion, and the inscription of over 430 sites, landmarks and cultural elements on ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Lists since 2019.

Against this backdrop, ICESCO calls upon all countries, civil society organizations and the private sector to cooperate closely and intensify efforts to protect the civilizational and cultural heritage of the Islamic world, particularly in conflict areas. The Organization also calls for the enactment of stringent laws and regulations criminalizing the illegal trade in valuable archeological artefacts, which represent a shared human heritage handed down from generation to another.

ICESCO stresses the importance of using modern technology and artificial intelligence for preserving and protecting heritage sites and monuments. It also calls for the creation of interactive platforms for these sites and monuments with the aim of publicizing them and raising awareness about their importance in human civilization.