National Committee for Cultural Heritage

Given the growing importance of culture and tangible and intangible heritage in sustainable development, the need to safeguard tangible and intangible heritage as elements that shape identity, and the significance of cultural diplomacy within UNESCO’s programs for introducing Iran’s cultural and civilizational capacities, the National Commission for UNESCO in Iran took steps in 2015 to establish the National Committee for Cultural and Natural Heritage. As a first step, it corresponded with various relevant organizations and institutions to nominate representatives. In the next step, it undertook the identification of experts and scholars in the fields of cultural and natural heritage. Finally, with the support and signing of the appointments of the proposed members of the National Commission for UNESCO in Iran by the Minister of Science, Research and Technology, the National Committee for Cultural and Natural Heritage was established, and its first meeting was held on 8 February 2017, with the participation of Dr. Saadollah Nasiri Gheidari, Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO in Iran, representatives of relevant institutions and organizations, and experts and scholars in the fields of cultural and natural heritage.

At this meeting, following an introduction to the National Committee for Cultural and Natural Heritage, an explanation of its importance and position within UNESCO’s programs, and the presentation of suggestions and views by the members, discussions and consultations were held on the election of the Committee’s Chair and Vice-Chairs. By a majority vote of the members, Dr. Mohammad-Hassan Talebian was elected Chair of the Committee, Dr. Morteza Rezvanfar and Mr. Ali Ashraf Mojtahed Shabestari were elected Vice-Chairs, and Dr. Abdolmahdi Mostakin was elected Secretary of the National Committee for Cultural and Natural Heritage.