ICOMOS joined activist NGOs and individuals calling for bold action from governments on sustainable development issues including climate, inequality and freedom of expression, during the 2019 review of the UN Sustainable Development Goals at the High-Level Political Forum that took place between July 9-18 in New York.

On the initiative of its President, Professor Toshiyuki Kono, ICOMOS is seeking Expressions of Interest from cultural heritage professionals worldwide in order to expand and diversify its international team of World Heritage Advisors for the evaluation of cultural and mixed property nominations to the World Heritage List.

Three months ago, on 18 April 2019, we celebrated the International Day on Monuments and Sites on the theme of rural landscapes. The richness of rural heritage, but also the challenges of its conservation in a context of climate change and sustainable development, have given rise to many varied events: educational exhibitions, guided tours, hikes, conferences and round tables.... People in 48 countries and members of 33 National Committees played the game and proposed activities: thank you all for this rich and exciting day! Some photo reportages are available below.

The “Future of Our Pasts: Engaging Cultural Heritage in Climate Action” report was released by ICOMOS on Wednesday 3 July 2019 in Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan at an event held during the 43rd session of the World Heritage Committee. Putting forward a multi-disciplinary approach to cultural heritage, the report is intended for site managers, scientists, researchers, but also to climate activists and policy-makers.

ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on the Underwater Cultural Heritage (ICUCH) has published in partnership with the UNESCO UNITWIN Network for Underwater Archaeology a model code of practice for safe diving operations. This model code of practice has been drafted by the UNESCO UNITWIN Network for Underwater Archaeology, following on from the Network’s annual meeting in 2016 at UNESCO in Paris. The Network identified a lack of consistent practices and a need for common language related to scientific archaeological diving by its Members as a way to reduce barriers to international partnership working.

ICOMOS will be participating, as Advisory Body, to the 43^rd session of the World Heritage Committee that will be held from 30 June to 10 July 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan. This year, ICOMOS, in collaboration with IUCN, ICOMOS National Committees and ICOMOS Working Groups, will be hosting several side events.