The First Summit of the Assembly of Historic Cities of Iran Was Held in Isfahan

The summit brought together the mayors of 30 historic cities across the country to provide a platform for exchanging experiences, strengthening cooperation in the preservation of historic urban areas, and enhancing the cultural and economic capacities of these cities. During the event, a message from Dr. Hassan Fartousi, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, was read by Akbar Yousefi, Deputy for Executive Affairs of the Commission.

In his message, Dr. Fartousi stated:

“The Iranian National Commission for UNESCO has always stood alongside you and will make full use of its capacities to support the preservation of historic buildings and urban areas. This endeavor can only succeed through cooperation, a shared commitment and the concerted efforts of all relevant institutions and organizations, including municipalities and rural municipalities, as well as the support of experts, intellectuals and the wider public. Only through such collective efforts can constructive international attention be generated.

The text of the Secretary-General’s message is as follows:

‘In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Distinguished mayors, respected officials and esteemed guests,

This gathering has been convened to honor and preserve the historic urban areas of cities across the country; precious heritage that serves as a cultural and civilizational identity card of this land and can provide the international community with a compelling representation of our beloved Iran.

Historic urban areas are not merely reflections of the architectural and urban-planning achievements of our past; they also embody the way of life, values, beliefs, authenticity and civilization of the people who have lived on this land for centuries. Every house and every alley, every mosque and every bazaar forms part of an identity handed down to us through history, and today we bear a profound responsibility to preserve and revitalize it. This heritage stands as a testament to a culture and civilization that has remained vibrant and enduring in the face of historical challenges and adversity.

The historic houses of our cities are treasures of art and creativity. Each house, with its brick façades, windows adorned with intricate geometric patterns, central courtyards and clear pools, offers a glimpse of the Iranian vision of paradise. Wooden doors, rooms with five- and seven-panel windows, and colourful stained glass all reflect not only Iranian creativity, but also the profound connection between life, nature and Iranian culture expressed through architecture. They demonstrate the harmonious integration of open and enclosed spaces to provide comfort and tranquility, while reflecting the artistic creativity and civilizational beauty of our people; a magnificent civilization that has embraced the peaceful coexistence of diverse cultures and represents an exemplary model of interaction and tolerance in today’s world.

In recent years, with the development of the tourism industry, some of these historic houses have been restored and converted into hotels and traditional accommodation facilities. Such revitalization demonstrates that this heritage is not merely a static expression of identity, but also an opportunity to foster economic vitality and sustainable development.

Distinguished mayors, ladies and gentlemen,

As pioneers in urban decision-making, you have a key role to play in this process. Your decisions and actions can contribute to the revitalization of historic buildings and restore the spirit of life to these spaces or, God forbid, create conditions that lead to the destruction of these national assets.

The Iranian National Commission for UNESCO has always stood alongside you and will make full use of its capacities to support the preservation of historic buildings and urban areas. This endeavour can only succeed through cooperation and a shared commitment. Safeguarding this precious heritage is possible only through the cooperation and concerted efforts of all relevant institutions and organizations, including municipalities and rural municipalities, together with the support of experts, intellectuals and the public, in a process that can also generate constructive international attention.

In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation to the Honorable Mayor of Isfahan for the gracious hospitality and for organizing this valuable event. Isfahan itself is a shining jewel in the history and culture of this land, and its hosting of this assembly is a testament to the city authorities’ serious commitment to Iran’s historical heritage.

I hope that this gathering will mark the beginning of effective action and broad coordination aimed at preserving and revitalizing the historic cities of our country; an essential step towards transmitting these unique treasures of humanity to future generations in Iran and around the world. In this way, we can demonstrate to the world that Iran is not only the heir to a magnificent civilization, but is also committed to safeguarding its historical and cultural identity, which shines as a prominent part of the world’s historical and civilizational heritage.

I look forward to seeing you all again soon and wish you every success and prosperity.’”

It is worth noting that, during the specialized session of the Assembly of Iran’s Historic Cities, and with Isfahan having previously been designated as the permanent secretariat of the national assembly, the other principal members of the assembly’s board of directors were elected for a two-year term. These included the cities of Isfahan, Yazd, Kerman, Hamadan and Qazvin, with Rasht serving as an alternate member. Yazd was also designated as the host city for next year’s assembly.

In addition, four working groups were established for the Assembly of Iran’s Historic Cities: Facilitation and Inter-Institutional Cooperation, led by Marvdasht; Education and Promotion, led by Zavareh; Conservation and Revitalization, led by Nain; and Investment and Participation, led by Kashan.