IDMS and Heritage in Crisis: Action, Hope and Solidarity

Heritage in Crisis: Message by ICOMOS President

In a world shaken by conflict, the mission of ICOMOS reminds us of a simple truth: every monument, every historic site, every cultural landscape we protect carries the story of humanity’s shared journey. When these places are threatened, it is not only stones that fall—it is justice, dignity, identity, and understanding.

Today, as conflicts fracture communities across the globe, the work of ICOMOS becomes more urgent.
Safeguarding heritage is safeguarding peace. It is a commitment to dignity, to diversity, and to the belief that cultures can coexist without fear.

Let us continue to raise our voices for the protection of cultural heritage everywhere, especially where it is most at risk.

Let us choose cooperation over division, preservation over destruction, and humanity over hostility.

By protecting the past, we help shape a more peaceful future.

And in that mission, ICOMOS stands as a beacon of hope.

Teresa Patrício,
ICOMOS President

ICOMOS Crisis Response: A Collaborative Approach

As soon as a crisis emerges, the ICOMOS Board works closely with the ICORP (International Scientific Committee on Risk Preparedness) Crisis Monitoring and Response Working Group. The Working Group also partners with the ICOMOS International Scientific Committees, providing support to colleagues on:

• methodologies adapted to the conditions on the ground and the specificities of the crisis;
• provision of resources and guidance on damage assessment, risk preparedness, emergency response, and safeguarding, including documentation, structural stabilisation, fire protection, mural paintings and stained glass protection;
• capacity building on risk preparedness and emergency response;
• whenever possible, on‑the‑ground actions and assessments are organised to assist ICOMOS members and to strengthen the capacities of local civil and governmental institutions.

ICOMOS National Committees assess and monitor heritage sites affected by the conflict and report back to ICOMOS with invaluable information, enabling our organisation to:

• continually adjust and optimise its support;.
• develop cultural diplomacy by engaging with relevant international bodies and partners to advocate for the respect and enforcement of international conventions and the application of international humanitarian law.

“Expect the Unexpected: Conflict” Webinar, 23 May 2026

As part of the events marking the International Day for Monuments and Sites on 18 April, the ICOMOS ICORP Crisis Monitoring and Response Working Group will host an online panel entitled « Expect the Unexpected: Conflict ».

This event is organised in coordination with ICOMOS International Scientific Committees and will take place on 23 May 2026.

The meeting is open to the ICOMOS network and invited experts. It aims to address the impacts of armed conflict on cultural heritage and will focus on emergency preparedness and response, as well as field-based experiences and current challenges.

ICOMOS stands in unwavering solidarity with affected ICOMOS National Committees and their members.
We honour their courage and commitment and reaffirm our shared dedication to preserving cultural heritage — a source of identity, resilience, and hope.