International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)

15/06/2026

ICOMOS joins UNESCO in condemning in the strongest terms the drone and missile attacks by the Russian Federation on Ukraine on 14–15 June 2026, which caused further human suffering and damaged cultural heritage, cultural institutions and places of worship.

ICOMOS expresses its full solidarity with Ukrainian heritage professionals and stands ready to support damage assessment, emergency protection measures, and the safeguarding of affected cultural heritage.

Read the full statement here: https://buff.ly/tuPCBm6

12/06/2026

🟢 NEB Festival Satellite Event: Cultural heritage as a resource for energy-efficient and inclusive renovation & affordable housing policies

The event aimed to advance the New European Bauhaus’ vision of beautiful, sustainable and inclusive living environments, and to position cultural heritage as a strategic resource for Europe’s housing and climate transition.

In her keynote speech, ICOMOS Vice President Riin Alatalu shared key findings from the "ICOMOS Report on the Implementation of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive". She also highlighted ICOMOS's advocacy for mitigations over exemptions: rather than simply excluding heritage buildings from energy performance requirements, tailored, knowledge-based solutions must be developed, i.e. solutions that :
▫️respect historic materials;
▫️avoid unnecessary interventions; and
▫️recognise that well-maintained historic buildings can perform significantly better energetically.

➡️ Historic buildings are not barriers to decarbonisation: they are part of the solution.

08/06/2026

🆘 Urgent Alert: Strikes at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tyre

ICOMOS strongly condemns the reported airstrikes of 7 June affecting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ancient City of Tyre, which was recently granted Enhanced Protection under the Second Protocol of the 1954 Hague Convention.

A full technical assessment of the damage will only be possible once security conditions allow safe access. However, direct damage to the entrance precinct, administration buildings and archaeological warehouses has been confirmed. This follows earlier mass evacuation orders and strikes in the site’s vicinity on 27 May.

ICOMOS recalls that cultural property, particularly when under Enhanced Protection, must not be made the object of attack or used for military purposes.

➡️ Read the full alert: https://www.icomos.org/news/urgent-alert-strikes-world-heritage-site-tyre-lebanon/

Picture credits: RomanDeckert/Wikimedia Commons

06/06/2026

𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟬𝗖 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 - 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲

ICOMOS Denmark and the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on 20th Century Heritage (ISC20C) are organising a seminar dedicated to Nordic perspectives on 20th century heritage.

The event will bring together experts and practitioners from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Åland, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and Denmark to examine how to shape conservation practices and policy-making.

⏰️ 4 September 2026, in Konventum (LO School), Helsingør, Denmark.
More information: https://buff.ly/mGLcJKB

05/06/2026

𝗚𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 – 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲

ICOMOS Germany, on behalf of the Working Group Shared Built Heritage, is organising an online lecture on built structures from the period of German colonialism in Africa, Asia and Oceania.

From individual architectures and urban ensembles to cultural landscapes and infrastructural systems, they have gradually turned into highly ambivalent heritage sites in today's independent nation states.

This event aims to tackle the ongoing challenges in this process, from scientific discussion and public outreach, building research and architectural practice.

⏰️ 24 June 2026, from 5:30 to 7 PM.
Join the Zoom meeting on the day, no registration required:
https://buff.ly/9oJ2T0F

04/06/2026

Today is a big day for Heritage! We're proud to announce something we've been working on, and built alongside many of you: Heritage Adapts! — the first-ever global campaign of local stewards uniting to take adaptation action to protect their heritage sites and cultural practices from climate change by 2030.

At its core is a collective pledge and an online community of action platform, a collaborative space to connect and find guidance that includes:

🗺️ A self-paced program that guides stewards through every stage of locally led adaptation, making the process accessible no matter the starting point.

🤝 A global peer network connecting those on the frontlines, because the best advice comes from those who live it.

📊 Downscaled climate data available in downloadable regional packets and complemented by training, so you can use it on your own terms and weave it with the knowledge your communities already hold.

You don’t have to adapt alone. Take the pledge. Join the community. We adapt better together!

act.heritageadapts.org

A heartfelt thank you to our leadership partners and supporters who helped to make this a reality.

National Geographic Society, Center for Indigenous Peoples' Research and Development (CIPRED), Climate Heritage Network, European Heritage Hub, Europa Nostraa, The Heritage Management Organization, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), Intangible cultural heritage and civil society, IFLA - International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Julie's Bicycle, Shadhona - A Center for Advancement of South Asian Culture, World Monuments Fund, Climate High-Level Champions.

03/06/2026

𝗪𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚

▪️Internship | Communications Assistant
▪️Duration: 4-6 months
▪️Start date: flexible
▪️End date: 18 December 2026

📍Based at the ICOMOS headquarters in Paris

✅Candidates must be fluent in English & French
✅ Before applying, please make sure you are able to work in France for the entire duration of the internship.

➡️Apply by 21 June 2026: https://buff.ly/YWFNt0o

01/06/2026

We cannot wait to share something we have been working on with heritage stewards and organisations around the world, something that will strengthen community resilience worldwide.
Mark your calendars for 4 June!

Preserving Legacies. Climate Heritage Network. Europa Nostra. European Heritage Hub. The Heritage Management Organization. Intangible cultural heritage and civil society. IFLA - International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. Julie's Bicycle. Shadhona - A Center for Advancement of South Asian Culture. World Monuments Fund. Cipred Nepal.

21/05/2026

ICOMOS and Icomos-Burkina Faso are proud to share the highlights of the "Capacity-Building Programme for Climate-Resilient Earthen Architecture in Africa", held at the magnificent Royal Court of Tiébélé — a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Burkina Faso.

Over 8 days, 25 heritage professionals from 16 African countries gathered to:
▫️ Deepen their expertise in earthen architecture conservation
▫️ Explore climate adaptation strategies for vulnerable heritage sites
▫️ Exchange knowledge and build lasting professional connections across the continent
▫️ Work hands-on at one of Africa's most iconic World Heritage Sites, guided by international and national ICOMOS experts

Africa's earthen architectural heritage faces growing threats — from floods and drought to erosion and extreme weather — and the communities who depend on it culturally, spiritually, and economically are on the front line. Equipping the next generation of heritage professionals with the right tools and networks is crucial.

These 25 professionals are now back to their homes, bringing back new tools, new networks, and a shared commitment to safeguarding Africa's irreplaceable heritage for future generations.

A heartfelt thank you to all participants, trainers, experts, local communities, and to ALIPH Foundation for their vital support in making this program a reality.
Many thanks to Lansana Keita for filming and sharing this learning experience.

▶️ Watch the closing video on ICOMOS' Youtube channel and discover the highlights of this inspiring journey!

https://youtu.be/fmJzIzrGSoU?si=eKXpNacN9PFxKgCD
(Available with English and French subtitles)

ICOMOS and the National Committee of Burkina Faso are proud to share the highlights of the "Capacity-Building Programme for Climate-Resilient Earthen Archite...

20/05/2026

𝗪𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚

▪️ ICOMOS World Heritage Evaluation Unit Programme Associate
▪️ Permanent contract
▪️ Start: September 2026
Based at the ICOMOS Headquarters in Paris

✅Candidates must be fluent in English & French
✅ Before applying, please make sure you are able to work in France for the entire duration of the contract.

➡️Apply by 7 June 2026: https://buff.ly/mp1WKVt