UNESCO is intensifying efforts to protect cultural heritage and sustain cultural life in the Middle East and neighbouring regions as hostilities continue to pose risks. In Iran, where World Heritage properties, museums, and cultural institutions face heightened threats, UNESCO has been actively monitoring damage since February 2026. Satellite analysis and field reports have confirmed harm to sites such as the Golestan Palace and Chehel Sotun. In response, UNESCO has launched emergency assistance through its Tehran Office, working with national authorities to assess and document damages, identify priority interventions, and implement stabilization measures, while also strengthening digitization and documentation capacities.
Beyond immediate response, UNESCO is investing in long-term preparedness with Gulf States. On 29 April 2026, more than 130 cultural stakeholders from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE joined a high-level webinar under UNESCO’s “Rethinking Tomorrow: Crisis Navigation” series. Discussions focused on safeguarding heritage, sustaining cultural practices, and supporting creative industries during crises. Participants shared lessons and innovative solutions, including digital tools, flexible programming, and stronger coordination frameworks to enhance resilience.
Across these initiatives, a common message emerged: culture is a pillar of resilience and recovery, not a peripheral concern. By strengthening monitoring, protection mechanisms, and regional cooperation, UNESCO aims to ensure that heritage and cultural institutions can withstand shocks and continue serving communities.
UNESCO reaffirmed that cultural heritage is protected under international law, including the 1954 Hague Convention, the 1972 World Heritage Convention, and UN Security Council Resolution 2347. It called for respect of these instruments to safeguard culture, institutions, and professionals in crisis contexts, underscoring the role of culture as a cornerstone of peace, resilience, and sustainable development.
