Lithuania hosted an international discussion on protecting World Heritage sites from climate change, conflict, urbanisation, tourism and other risks in Busan, South Korea, on 23 July 2026.
The side event, titled “From Risks to Resilience: World Heritage in a Changing World,” took place during the 48th session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee. It was organised by Lithuania’s Ministry of Culture, Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and National Commission for UNESCO.
Prepared by the infoerdve.lt editorial team from a Lithuanian Ministry of Culture statement dated 23 July 2026.
Building resilience before crises occur
Speakers considered how heritage protection can be combined with risk management and the sustainable development of World Heritage sites. They shared experience and practices from different regions, including Lithuania’s approach to integrating the protection of natural and cultural heritage.
Vilnius University professor Dr Marija Drėmaitė, who moderated the discussion, said resilience involves more than recovering from crises. She described it as the result of integrated management and long-term investment undertaken before crises emerge.
Further context is available in this overview of the importance of protecting cultural monuments.
UNESCO, ICCROM and national experts participate
Lithuania’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Ambassador Jolanta Balčiūnienė, opened the event. UNESCO World Heritage Centre Director Lazare Eloundou Assomo delivered welcoming remarks.
Participants included Dr Maya Ishizawa of ICCROM’s World Heritage Leadership programme and Kenyan World Heritage expert Hosea Wanderi. Lithuania was represented by Dr Agnė Jasinavičiūtė Trakimienė, chair of the Lithuanian National Commission for UNESCO and director of the State Service for Protected Areas, and Sigita Bugenienė, Lithuania’s national UNESCO cultural heritage coordinator and a senior adviser at the Ministry of Culture.
Jasinavičiūtė Trakimienė emphasised the responsibility to ensure that future generations inherit World Heritage of no less value than the heritage received today.
Lithuania’s 2027–2031 committee bid
According to the Ministry of Culture, the event supported international dialogue on heritage resilience and increased Lithuania’s visibility within the UNESCO community. It also contributed to Lithuania’s bid for membership of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the 2027–2031 term.
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Renginio data, tema, dalykelbta informacija
- Sutikrinta renginio data ir vieta – 2026 m. liepos 23 d., Busanas.
- Patikrinti diskusijos dalyvių vardai ir pareigos.
- Lietuvos kandidatavimo laikotarpis nurodytas pagal ministerijos pranešimą.
Lietuvos Respublikos kultūros ministerijaIeškoti papildomo kontekstoted
2026-07-23 14:46
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