The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF), organized a high-level symposium titled “From Risk to Resilience: Strategy for the Removal of Properties from the List of World Heritage in Danger.” The event brought together 100 officials, experts, and specialists from international organizations, cultural institutions, and heritage bodies on the sidelines of the 48th session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, hosted by the Republic of Korea.

The symposium, held in Busan on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, aimed to raise awareness of best practices in the management of heritage sites and their removal from the List of World Heritage in Danger. Discussions focused on the importance of strengthening international partnerships and developing technical tools for safeguarding cultural heritage and heritage sites.

The sessions were moderated by Dr. Bilel Chebbi, Program Manager at ICESCO’s Islamic World Heritage Center, together with Mr. Muhammad Al-Absi and Mr. Souayibou Varissou, experts at the Center. They highlighted ICESCO’s ongoing efforts to support World Heritage sites in danger, strengthen cooperation, and build capacities in this field across the Organization’s Member States through pioneering initiatives, foremost among them the ICESCO–Azerbaijan Natavan Heritage Excellence Award.