International Conference on Cultural and Natural Heritage
International stakeholders gathered to integrate heritage into global disaster risk reduction strategies.
July 02nd, 2026
On June 24, 2026, the UNESCO Liaison Office in Brussels hosted the international conference “Cultural and Natural Heritage for Preparedness and Resilience”. Held at the BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts in Belgium, the event brought together representatives from international organizations, public institutions, and local communities. As the final milestone of the European Union-funded RESILIAGE project, the summit provided a platform to discuss how cultural and natural assets can bolster societal stability across Europe and beyond.
The conference featured a diverse array of experts and policymakers dedicated to disaster resilience. Welcome remarks were delivered by Lodovico Folin Calabi, the UNESCO Representative to the EU, alongside officials from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and the European Research Executive Agency. This high-level participation underscored the necessity of multilateral cooperation and international dialogue in safeguarding shared heritage against modern global risks.
A central policy panel, titled "Do We Protect Heritage, or does Heritage Protect Us?", examined the symbiotic relationship between preservation and security. Speakers from various European Commission departments joined the coordinator of the RESILIAGE project, Professor Rosa Tamborrino, to discuss integrating heritage into preparedness and recovery strategies. Through these dialogues and field-based case studies, participants explored innovative approaches that prioritize community-driven perspectives and expert insights.
Further sessions provided specific insights from the RESILIAGE project, highlighting local communities as essential drivers of resilience. Experts from Austria, Belgium, Norway, and Portugal shared technical experiences from diverse sites, such as the Famenne-Ardenne UNESCO Global Geopark. The event concluded with a networking reception and an exhibition showcasing interactive games and tools designed to engage the public in heritage-based resilience efforts.
In summary, the conference successfully positioned heritage as a vital component of international preparedness strategies. By fostering collaboration between global institutions and local actors, the event established a framework for future cooperation in risk reduction. The gathering reaffirmed that the preservation of cultural and natural assets remains essential for building more resilient societies worldwide.
