Around 40 countries have approved plans to establish a $100 million fund to protect cultural heritage sites in conflict zones. The countries also agreed to set up a network of safe havens for at-risk artworks.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/J. Eid
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Representatives from almost 40 nations agreed the heritage protection fund on Saturday at the end of the two-day Safeguarding Endangered Cultural Heritage conference in Abu Dhabi.
"We are committed to pursuing (these) two ambitious, long-term goals to guarantee the further mobilization of the international community for the safeguarding of heritage," the countries said in a statement in the United Arab Emirates capital.
Organizers of the UNESCO-backed meeting hope to secure an initial $100 million (93.7 million euros) for the fund.
The money will be used to prevent or stop destruction of historical sites, fight stolen artifact trafficking and pay for the restoration of cultural sites damaged by war during times of conflict.
France, who is spearheading the initiative with the United Arab Emirates, pledged to contribute around $30 million (28 million euros) the fund which will be based out of Geneva. French President Francois Hollande announced the contribution during the conference on Saturday.
UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova hailed the nations' "strong commitment" in a post on Twitter.
Maria Böhmer, the Minister of State with Germany's Foreign Office, welcomed the initiative at the conference, saying the protection fund promotes peace and is a "commitment to people."
To prevent further cultural heritage destruction, Saturday's agreed plan also seeks to establish a network of safe havens for endangered artworks. The network would temporarily store artworks, cultural property and artifacts which are endangered by conflicts or terrorism.
Artworks would first be stored in a secure, safe location in the country itself to avoid issues with sovereignty. The second option of sending them to another country for safekeeping would be a last resort.
rs/rc (AP, AFP)
What's left to salvage in Palmyra?
Many of Palmyra's ruins appear to be in decent shape. Some archeologists hope that following its liberation the ancient city in the middle of the Syrian desert can be salvaged after all.
Image: Getty Images/AFP
Palmyra: ruins left in ruins
Palmyra's giant pillars used to be recognized around the world. This long boulevard of antiquity was feared to have been pulverized in deliberate explosions conducted by the so-called "Islamic State" (IS). But recent images show that much of the Great Colonade survived IS and its reign of terror.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Al Mounes
Like pieces of a puzzle
Syria's antiquities director Maamoun Abdulkarim intends to rebuild Palmyra to the state of its former glory. Ancient sites such as the Temple of Baal Shamin and the Temple of Bel will have to be pieced together like a puzzle after IS had demolished them in 2015. Still, Abdulkarim hopes that with the UN's help, Palmyra will be restored in five years' time.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Al Mounes
Mass executions where plays once premiered
The fact that Palmyra's ancient amphitheater, built around 200 A.D., appears to have survived the brute force of IS' destruction campaign might be among the lesser surprises here. It was here that jihadists held mass executions last year, while also using the stage as their set for their violent propaganda videos. A memorial for these recent events will likely be part of the restoration efforts.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Al Mounes
A bird's eye perspective
Aerial photographs reveal that other parts of the ancient city barely managed to withstand IS' deliberate destruction. The image on the right, taken on March 26, 2016, shows the extent of the damage after IS had blown up the Temple of Bel. On the left, the temple is seen intact before the jihadists' advance toward the UNESCO World Heritage site in May 2015.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/Unosat
Destruction beyond the ancient city
Palmyra's National Museum also suffered heavy losses under IS rule. Its treasures were looted, some were damaged, and others burned. The building itself lost parts of its roof but appears to have kept its structural integrity.
Image: picture-alliance/Sputnik/M. Voskresenskiy
Liberation after almost a year of tyranny
Locals knew they had been liberated when the fortress of Qal'at Ibn Ma'n high on top of a hill in Palmyra was finally recaptured by government forces. The structure is thought to date back only to the 13th to 16th centuries, but prior to the IS occupation, it had always been part of Palmyra's tourist attraction route despite pertaining to more recent history.
