Iraq and Sudan have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting cultural heritage and combating the illicit trade in antiquities during a high-level meeting on the sidelines of the Conference of Culture Ministers of the Islamic World in Jeddah.
Dr Ahmed Karim Al-Ulaywi, Director-General of the Iraqi Manuscripts House, met with Sudan’s Minister of Culture and Information, Mr Khalid Ali Al-Ayesar, to discuss ways to enhance collaboration in artefact repatriation and heritage protection.
During the discussions, Sudan expressed interest in benefiting from Iraq’s expertise in recovering and safeguarding cultural heritage, particularly as it navigates a challenging period that has impacted its museums and historical sites.
Dr Al-Ulaywi reaffirmed Iraq’s readiness to support Sudan through the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, offering training programmes, capacity-building initiatives, and technical cooperation to boost efforts in artefact recovery and the fight against cultural property trafficking. He highlighted the successful efforts of Iraq’s State Board of Antiquities and Heritage, under the supervision of Minister Dr Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, in repatriating thousands of Iraqi artefacts through local, regional, and international initiatives in coordination with the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international cultural institutions.
In response, Minister Al-Ayesar expressed appreciation for Iraq’s expertise and support, commending the advanced protection and recovery mechanisms implemented by the Iraqi Ministry of Culture. He also emphasised Sudan’s commitment to establishing a joint framework with Iraq to strengthen cooperation in preserving cultural heritage.
- Published: 19th February, 2025
- Location: Jeddah
- Country: Saudi Arabia
- Editor: Justyna Wojtowicz
- Category: Heritage
