Reply
28.4.2021
Among the initiatives during the German Presidency was an international conference organised by the German Federal Foreign Office in partnership with Unesco, the European Commission and the Council of Europe.
The event, entitled ‘Cultural Heritage and Multilateralism: Regional and International Strategies for the Protection of Cultural Heritage’, took place in a digital format on 16‐18 November 2020[1] and offered a platform for discussion to a variety of stakeholders, focusing on the value of multilateralism for the protection of cultural heritage. Among the topics examined were sustainable development, mechanisms against trafficking in cultural property, risk management and climate change.
In the context of the preservation of cultural heritage, it is also worth recalling that in its May 2020 conclusions on risk management in the area of cultural heritage[2], the Council invited the Member States to, inter alia, identify innovative tools and approaches available at EU level for risk identification, prevention, preparedness and mitigation and actively use them; develop, where appropriate, common mechanisms for risk management; promote cooperation at all levels; and strengthen the adoption of collaborative approaches and recognise and integrate cultural heritage into disaster risk policies and management plans.
The Council also invited the Commission to, inter alia, consider producing an EU handbook on risk management in the area of cultural heritage, continue the ongoing dialogue and cooperation with experienced networks in risk management in the area of cultural heritage and seek synergies with relevant international organisations in order to sustainably preserve and protect cultural heritage for present and future generations.
It is also worth recalling that sustainability in cultural heritage is listed as one of the priorities, with corresponding actions planned, in the Council conclusions on the Work Plan for Culture 2019‐2022[3]. The corresponding actions are defined for the Member States, the presidencies of the Council as well as for the Commission. Their working methods and target outputs are clearly defined.