TEHRAN -- Iran has proposed establishing an Asian emergency framework to protect cultural heritage during armed conflicts and natural disasters, reporting that 149 historical and cultural sites across the country have been damaged in the recent terrorist war.
Vice-Minister and Deputy of Cultural Heritage at Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ali Darabi presented the proposals during a thematic session titled “Protecting Cultural Heritage at Risk” on the sidelines of the fourth meeting of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia (ACHA) in Hangzhou, China.
Darabi said Iran’s cultural heritage is not merely the legacy of one country, but part of Asia’s historical memory and a shared asset of humanity that requires protection beyond national borders.
According to Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Darabi said the ministry had informed the chair of the ACHA Council in a letter sent in March that at least 56 museums, historical monuments and cultural sites had sustained damage during the war. That figure has since risen to 149, he added.
Darabi stressed that the consequences of war extends beyond historic buildings and archaeological sites, affecting intangible cultural heritage and traditional artistic practices. 
He cited traditional wooden lenj boats along Iran’s southern coastline and mirror-work decorations at Golestan Palace in Tehran among the heritage elements at risk.
He said armed conflicts, natural disasters, climate change, fires and earthquakes have crossed political boundaries, making emergency heritage protection a shared responsibility for Asian countries.
Darabi outlined three initiatives for consideration by ACHA, aimed at strengthening regional preparedness, coordinating specialist expertise and mobilizing financial support during emergencies.
The first proposal calls for an Asian working group on cultural heritage protection during crises. The group would bring together specialists from member countries to develop a common framework covering prevention, preparedness, emergency response and recovery.
It would also facilitate technical and scientific cooperation in identifying risks, assessing damage, documenting affected sites, stabilizing damaged structures and restoring heritage properties.
The second proposal seeks to establish an Asian network of emergency cultural heritage specialists, supported by a database of professionals in architectural conservation, structural and decorative
 restoration, archaeology, museum management, digital documentation and crisis management.
The network would enable member countries to exchange expertise and coordinate technical assistance more rapidly when cultural heritage is threatened.
Iran’s third proposal is to explore an emergency funding mechanism for cultural heritage protection within the alliance’s existing capacities. Such a mechanism could support urgent structural stabilization, protection of movable cultural objects, documentation of damage, measures to prevent further deterioration and preliminary restoration studies.
Darabi emphasized that Iran is presenting the initiatives as a basis for joint action rather than seeking assistance from other countries.
He said Iran is ready to share its experience in conserving and restoring historic buildings and urban areas, documenting cultural heritage, implementing emergency protection measures, managing heritage assets during crises and preserving traditional knowledge and craftsmanship.
If the proposals are approved, Iran will also be prepared to help develop common guidelines, organize specialist training courses and implement pilot projects with other member countries.
The fourth ACHA meeting in Hangzhou brought together representatives of Asian countries and international heritage organizations. The alliance’s official website identifies its mandate as promoting regional cooperation in cultural heritage conservation, strengthening professional capacity and facilitating exchanges among Asian civilizations. The meeting also featured discussions on protecting cultural heritage at risk and the use of technology and artificial intelligence in conservation.