HANGZHOU, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Council of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia (ACHA) on Sunday approved Egypt as a partner state and Kazakhstan as an observer state at its fourth meeting in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, bringing the total number of member states, partner states and observer states to 26.
Over the past year, the ACHA has achieved fruitful cooperation and a steady stream of tangible outcomes, and has made a key leap toward becoming an institutionalized and standardized intergovernmental organization, according to the meeting.
Through regional consensus and joint research, the alliance has turned practical cooperation into concrete results. It has also promoted the development of young talent in cultural heritage protection, injecting new vigor and vitality into exchanges and mutual learning among Asian civilizations.
Participants at the meeting said the alliance should build momentum for capacity building, improve the effectiveness of cooperation and stimulate innovation, while expanding the breadth and depth of its cooperation. They said the ACHA should become an important force in promoting the inheritance and development of civilizations.
The alliance launched its official website at the meeting, providing a digital platform for information sharing and collaboration.
Established in 2023, the ACHA is committed to implementing the Asian Initiative for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
The alliance aims to promote conservation standards and cooperation models for cultural heritage conservation in Asia through scientific conservation and innovative use, enhance connectivity, and promote shared values of cultural heritage within the region.
It seeks to safeguard Asia's cultural heritage and sustain the roots of diverse civilizations, expand global partnerships for cultural heritage conservation, and advance the Global Civilization Initiative with the power of cultural heritage. ■
