ICOMOS Pakistan

13/08/2026

🇵🇰 A Proud Milestone for Pakistan's Cultural Heritage!

The UNESCO - World Heritage Centre has added four remarkable archaeological and heritage sites of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Pakistan’s World Heritage Tentative List:

🏛️ Bhamala Buddhist Complex
🏛️ Archaeological Complex of Gor Khatri
🏠 Sethi House
🏺 Bazira-Barikot

Located in Haripur, Peshawar, and Swat, these sites represent the rich archaeological, historical, architectural, and cultural legacy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This significant achievement reflects the dedicated efforts of the, Directorate General of Archaeology & Museums, KP, in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology & Museums, Government of Pakistan, and UNESCO Pakistan.

The inclusion of these four sites on the UNESCO Tentative List is an important step toward their international recognition, protection, conservation, and eventual nomination to the World Heritage List.

A proud moment for Pakistan as we continue our commitment to preserving our rich cultural heritage for generations to come. 🇵🇰✨

28/07/2026

61 Years of Heritage Conservation 🌐

One year after celebrating six decades of action, we look back on what makes ICOMOS a leading advocate for cultural heritage conservation.

Since 1965, ICOMOS has combined scientific expertise with international advocacy to promote the protection, conservation and sustainable management of cultural heritage. Through its global network of professionals, the organisation has helped shape international conservation standards, support World Heritage protection, and address key challenges such as climate change, mass tourism, or conflicts.

By bringing together experts, institutions, NGOs and intergovernmental organisations, ICOMOS champions inclusive heritage policies that respect cultural diversity and ensure heritage remains a priority on international agendas.

As we mark 61 years of collective action, we celebrate the people, ideas and partnerships that continue to strengthen the global voice of heritage conservation.

28/07/2026

📣 The 2025 ICOMOS Annual Report is available!

📚 This report is a testimony to the dedication of the ICOMOS network to protecting and promoting Cultural Heritage worldwide throughout 2025. It compiles last year's activities, achievements, research publications as well as international events.

Greater transparency, clearer purpose: this year's annual report introduces new sections on our functioning, core values, and World Heritage work - giving you a fuller picture of who we are and what we do.

Topics featured in the report include:
◽ ICOMOS General Assembly in Lumbini, Nepal
◽ Launch of PUBLICOMOS
◽ New website and visual identity
◽ World Heritage Transhumance Initiative
◽ Heritage Alerts.. and much more!

📖 Read it now: https://buff.ly/CtI5iIq

28/07/2026

Preliminary Assessment and Attributes of Outstanding Universal Value / 48WHC side events

🟢 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲: 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The Upstream Process offers States Parties structured, informal dialogue with the Advisory Bodies well before a nomination is submitted. Rather than a quick check of a dossier, it helps assess potential Outstanding Universal Value, sharpen nomination strategy, and shape a strong narrative. The result: better-targeted resources, stronger dossiers, and a more representative World Heritage List.

On 23 July, ICOMOS World Heritage Evaluation Unit Director Gwenaëlle Bourdin presented the outcomes of the Preliminary Assessment Feedback Survey that was sent out to States Parties in March 2026 to help Advisory Bodies improve the process for future cycles.

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🟡 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁

ICOMOS, together with the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China and ICOMOS China, has developed a joint project aimed at achieving a more substantial understanding of the concepts of “attribute” and its operational functions within the World Heritage system. The outcomes of the project will support heritage professionals and agencies in China to improve their understanding of heritage values and strengthen heritage management effectiveness.

On 26 July, ICOMOS World Heritage Evaluation Unit Director Gwenaëlle Bourdin presented the project and ICOMOS President Teresa Patrício provided the closing remarks, while ICOMOS World Heritage Advisers Jun Zheng and Luisa De Marco introduced the mapping of the use and meaning of "attribute(s)" in a World Heritage Context as well as the way forward.

📷️ Paula Grätz

28/07/2026

28/07/2026

🔵 Busan Declaration on World Heritage 🔵

On 20 July, the on World Heritage was officially adopted on the first day of the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

ICOMOS President Teresa Patrício and Tina Paterno (ICOMOS Philippines) had previously joined the "International Expert Meeting on the Drafting of the Declaration of the 48th World Heritage Committee Session" (14–15 May 2026) alongside experts from the 21 World Heritage Committee Members, ICCROM, and IUCN.

🔷 The Declaration highlights how collaboration is key to tackling the many challenges facing World Heritage today, from armed conflict to climate change to development pressures.

➡Read the press release: https://buff.ly/DI1xX27

📷© UNESCO

27/07/2026

ICOMOS Pakistan congratulates the Pakistan State Party delegation to the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee on the of their successful visit to the Republic of Korea and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Heritage Agency, and the Department of Archaeology & Museums, Government of Pakistan .

The MoU, under the "Capacity Strengthening for the Management of National Cultural Assets in Pakistan (2026–2030)" project, paves the way for the establishment of the National Cultural Heritage Institute of Pakistan (NCHIP)—a significant step towards strengthening heritage conservation, institutional capacity, and international cooperation.

We wish both countries every success in implementing this important initiative.

16/05/2026

Reviving a Mughal Masterpiece — A Decade of Dedication ✨

A decade of science‑led conservation has breathed new life into one of the grandest Mughal creations — the Picture Wall of Lahore Fort, a jewel of our UNESCO World Heritage Site. This monumental effort stands as a testament to what vision, expertise, and perseverance can achieve.

We proudly acknowledge and deeply appreciate the remarkable contributions of our dedicated members Mr. Wajahat Ali and Zenia Nasir, whose commitment and craftsmanship played a vital role in restoring this historic treasure. Their work ensures that future generations can continue to witness the splendour of this unparalleled masterpiece.

The Picture Wall now shines again — not just as an architectural wonder, but as a symbol of Pakistan’s enduring heritage and the power of collective stewardship.

Heritage preserved. History honoured. Legacy continued.

A decade of science-led conservation has revived this Mughal masterpiece and its world heritage.

28/04/2026

ICOMOS Pakistan is pleased to share an important milestone for the country’s cultural heritage: the Kalash Valleys have been inscribed on the Tentative List of the UNESCO World Heritage.

We extend our sincere congratulations to our colleagues in government—particularly the Directorate General of Archaeology & Museums, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Federal Department of Archaeology & Museums, and Mr. Yahya (Head of UNESCO Pakistan)—for their dedicated efforts in bringing the unique tangible and intangible heritage of the Kalash Valleys to the global stage.

This achievement marks a significant step toward the recognition and safeguarding of one of Pakistan’s most distinctive cultural landscapes.

https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/6965/

Directorate General of Archaeology & Museums, KP International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) UNESCO UNESCO

UNESCO World Heritage Centre

28/04/2026

ICOMOS Pakistan is delighted to share a major milestone! The Kalash Valleys have been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List. A proud achievement for Pakistan. We highly appreciate the efforts of the Directorate General of Archaeology & Museums, Government of KP, and Mr. Yahya UN head Pakistan, UNESCO, Federal Archaeology Department Government of Pakistan for bringing Pakistan’s unique tangible & intangible heritage to the global stage.

UNESCO World Heritage Centre