The International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage under the auspices of UNESCO (HIST), joined hands with the Beijing office of UNESCO and hosted the project launch meeting of the UNESCO-China Youth Development Foundation Mercedes-Benz Star Fund FiT Project on ?Conservation and Management of World Heritage Sites in China? Phase III, in Beijing on April 26, 2017.The meeting was attended by representatives of Government ministries and agencies, private sector, renowned experts and scholars from top universities and research institutions in China, representatives of international organizations and from the media.

Ms. Marielza Oliviera, Director of the UNESCO Beijing Office,attended the meeting and made opening remarks, welcoming all the experts and dignitaries and setting the stage for further collaboration and discussion on the topic. Representatives from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of P.R. China and from the State Administration of Cultural Heritage also expressed their appreciation towards the long standing initiative and what it has achieved. Attendees from the Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co. Ltd. reaffirmed their commitment to the project and to their continued engagement.

Ms. Himalchuli Gurung, Programme Specialist for Culture with the UNESCO Beijing Office, presented the project report, outlining the aims and objectives and achievements so far. She highlighted that in the third phase, the project would synergize natural and cultural, tangible and intangible heritage within the framework of the 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, and the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in the Chinese context, so as to contribute to heritage conservation and sustainable development. She elaborated that the project Phase III will cover 4 areas of activities, namely capacity building, strengthening of management effectiveness, World Heritage sustainable livelihood, and awareness raising and public outreach.The discussion session followed, which saw many suggestions related to capacity building methods, frequency, target groups, enhancing cultural industry and creating awareness.

Prof. Hong Tianhua, Executive Deputy Director and Secretary General of HIST,made the closing remarks, in which he thanked the Beijing office of UNESCO for giving HIST an opportunity to host the meeting. He highlighted the capabilities of HIST in the area of management and conservation of heritage using space technologies and mentioned that HISTs experiences in international cooperation, capacity building and training tied in with the recommendations made by experts during the discussion session and that this could add value to the project. He reaffirmed HISTs partnership with UNESCO Beijing Office and hoped for more collaboration in the future.

 A scene of the meeting.

Group photo.

HONG Tianhua at the closing ceremony.