Stronger Together: UNESCO and ALIPH reinforce cooperation for the protection of heritage at risk

The new agreement, which covers 2026 to 2029, builds on a previous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2019, and reaffirms the complementarity of the two organizations' mandates and capacities. It aims to strengthen operational coordination, facilitate the implementation of joint projects and develop innovative responses to emerging challenges, including the combined impacts of conflict, climate change, and natural disaster.

Within this new partnership, UNESCO will provide enhanced access to its global network of institutions, including UNESCO's field offices and diverse networks around the globe-such as UNESCO Category II Centres, UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks, as well as academic, research and heritage institutions, and local and international non-governmental organizations-for capacity building and data collection needs.

Cooperation will also be expanded on forward-looking analysis and innovation, including on the impact of conflict and climate change on heritage and on the use of Artificial Intelligence and new technologies to support protection, documentation and emergency response. This cooperation will be grounded in an integrated approach linking both tangible and intangible heritage.

The parties agreed to join forces to fight illicit trafficking of cultural property in Gaza and continue Phase 2 of the project to rehabilitate damaged architectural heritage in the Cliffs of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) World Heritage property in Mali.

Since the creation of ALIPH, UNESCO and the foundation have developed a trusted and strategic partnership. To date, they have collaborated on nine joint projects, ALIPH supporting UNESCO with a contribution of more than USD 5.6 million.

About ALIPH

The International alliance for the protection of heritage (ALIPH) is the main global fund dedicated to the protection of cultural heritage in conflict, post-conflict, and crisis areas. It supports the people on the ground who take concrete measures to protect or restore museums, sites and monuments, and intangible heritage in the most challenging contexts. ALIPH is a first responder in times of conflict and crisis, providing quick and flexible support within hours or days to prevent heritage from being lost forever. Since its creation in Geneva in 2017, ALIPH has supported 600 projects in 64 countries. The Foundation carries out its mission thanks to the support of its nine member States (France, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Luxembourg, China, Morocco, Cyprus, and Uzbekistan), its three private members (Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, Getty Trust, and Fondation Gandur pour l'Art), and a dozen other donors. ALIPH is committed to supporting professionals, communities, and their legacies, to ensure sustainable development and to build peace.

Learn more about ALIPH and its projects here: https://www.aliph-foundation.org/

About UNESCO

With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13 000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions, with a global network of 200 National Commissions. Its Director-General is Khaled El-Enany.

"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed" - UNESCO Constitution, 1945.

More information: https://www.unesco.org/en