YEREVAN — The 8th Ministerial Meeting of the Ancient Civilizations Forum began on Wednesday in Yerevan, chaired by Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.
The meeting welcomed the Minister of Culture of Greece, the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts of Iran, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iraq, and representatives from Egypt, Peru, Italy, China, and Bolivia.
In his opening remarks, Minister Mirzoyan emphasized Armenia’s belief in the Ancient Civilizations Forum as a unique platform for fostering cultural dialogue and promoting mutual understanding and tolerance.
“Throughout history, civilizations have served as essential sources of human creativity, knowledge, and ethical principles—repositories of cultural memory that continue to shape our collective identity. By placing cultural diversity at the heart of dialogue, we not only acknowledge the profound influence of ancient civilizations in shaping today’s global cultural landscape but also explore how their legacies can guide us toward peace, respect, and mutual understanding while embracing other cultures and diversity,” Mirzoyan stated.
He highlighted the challenges facing the multilateral system and international law, including evolving security threats, renewed conflicts, identity-based hatred, and the deliberate destruction or misappropriation of cultural heritage. “Such acts, often driven by the weaponization of history and false narratives, serve as tools to justify territorial claims and exacerbate divisions, undermining the very foundations of international peace and security. Unfortunately, Armenia is among the countries that continuously face such challenges,” Mirzoyan said.
The minister reaffirmed Armenia’s commitment to strengthening multilateral institutions, specialized agencies, and legal instruments to better protect cultural heritage and foster a culture of peace, understanding, and mutual respect.
He also stressed the importance of international cooperation within the framework of the Ancient Civilizations Forum and called for strengthening its capacities to enable ambitious and practical actions in response to emerging challenges.
“In line with our policy of cultural heritage protection, Armenia places special emphasis on UNESCO’s central role. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict—a cornerstone of our collective efforts. As an active member of the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, Armenia contributes to global efforts in this field. Recently, we supported Lebanon’s request for urgent enhanced protection for 34 cultural sites, taking prompt action to address threats posed by recent hostilities. We have also shared our expertise in initiatives like UNESCO’s ‘Revive the Spirit of Mosul,’ demonstrating our commitment to international cooperation and collective heritage preservation,” Mirzoyan said.
“Armenia is proud to be a part of this family of ancient civilizations. This privilege carries a great responsibility: to preserve humanity’s collective heritage and to protect the values and traditions that form the civilized foundations of our world. We will continue to work with the Member States of the Forum toward a more peaceful, just, and harmonious future,” he concluded.
