Numerous human rights mechanisms have already raised their voices to warn about the impact of the pandemic on human rights and to provide guidance about the human rights issues to keep in mind when taking measures to counter it.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has given international organisations, including ICOMOS, the opportunity to share reflections on protecting human rights during and after COVID-19.

The ICOMOS Emerging Professionals Working Group (EPWG) is excited to host a dual webinar series on the subject of 'Heritage and Climate Change' on 20 June and 18 July at 14:00 Paris time.

ICOMOS, the International Council on Archives (ICA) and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) joined forces to call for action regarding the preservation of collections in response to threats from climate change. The recording of the webinar held on 12 June 2020 is now available on the ICA YouTube channel.

ICOMOS through our International Committee on Underwater Heritage (ICUCH) is a partner in the Ocean Decade and participates in the Ocean Decade Heritage Network (ODHN).

On the occasion of World Oceans Day, 8 June, you are invited to a UNESCO webinar on

“The Ocean’s Past –
Underwater Archaeology and Ocean Sciences”

ICOMOS and Europa Nostra have announced a new collaboration to develop a “European Heritage Green Paper” on the issue of cultural heritage and climate change. The Paper focuses on the role of cultural heritage in achieving the ambitions of the European Green Deal (EGD).

Among the mass of information circulating concerning COVID-19, one hopeful message issued by credible medical publications is that an effective vaccine could probably be developed within the next 18 months. This would be the shortest development period for a vaccine in human history. Nevertheless, 18 months is still a very long way to go - a marathon race with the zero-infections stage as its finish line. To make this race sustainable, some countries are already relaxing the restrictions they have imposed and gradually allowing economic activities to resume, while others will have to maintain or introduce strict measures.