The Ambassador Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN, Omar Hilale, pleaded, Tuesday in Rabat, in favor of completing the universalization of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Heritage in the Event of Conflict armed and its Protocols.
“The international community would benefit from adopting a global, holistic and integrated approach that promotes the preservation of cultural heritage during humanitarian crises” with a view to ensuring better protection of cultural heritage in times of humanitarian crises, underlined Mr. Hilale, who spoke as part of an international conference under the theme “The protection of cultural heritage during humanitarian crises and the question of effectiveness”.
In this sense, he insisted on the importance of promoting intercultural dialogue, strengthening international cooperation, raising awareness among local populations on the importance of preserving cultural heritage and planning training for humanitarian actors.
In his presentation focused on the “Role of the UN in the protection of cultural property during humanitarian crises”, the Ambassador Permanent Representative of Morocco to the UN indicated that “Member States must adopt effective national legislation for the implementation of the 1954 Hague Convention and its protocols, so that their armies ensure, in the event of conflict, that their obligations under this Convention are respected”.
“The UN should establish clear and precise guidelines for peacekeeping operations to integrate cultural heritage into their missions, including protocols for protection, documentation and prevention of damage to cultural heritage,” he said. -he continued.
Mr. Hilale also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in monitoring cultural sites in real time, using historical data to develop future risk prevention plans, in particular by identifying anomalies. and preventing damage.
“AI can also contribute to the preservation of history and its transmission to future generations, through the documentation of data and the generation of virtual sites,” he continued.
Mr. Hilale, in this regard, noted that Morocco is working tirelessly for the preservation of world cultural heritage, recalling, in this regard, the ratification by the Kingdom of all UNESCO Conventions on the protection and preservation of cultural heritage.
Initiated in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, this conference is part of the international community’s commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the adoption in 1954 of the Hague Convention for the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict.
This meeting is also part of the particular interest that Morocco accords to the preservation of the national cultural and civilizational heritage in terms of protection, restoration, maintenance and enhancement, and the permanent commitment of the Kingdom in favor of the protection and promotion of the system of international humanitarian law.
Taking part in the work of this international meeting are national and international experts and actors specializing in the field of international humanitarian law and the protection of cultural heritage and representatives of international organizations involved in this field, notably UNESCO and the International Committee. of the Red Cross.
