KUCHING: Sarawak will host the 22nd General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) this October, the first time the event is being held in Southeast Asia and Malaysia.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the event has already attracted more than 1,100 registered delegates from around the world, with numbers expected to rise closer to the event.
Describing the assembly as the “Olympics of cultural heritage”, he said the gathering would place Sarawak and Malaysia at the centre of global discussions on heritage conservation, sustainable development and resilient communities.
“This is a very important event for us and we will do our best to ensure every delegate leaves with good memories of Sarawak,” he told a press conference at Baitul Makmur II here today (June 9).
The assembly will be held from Oct 17 to 24 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) under the theme Living Heritage: Respect, Enhance, Accept Partnership.
Abdul Karim said the event would provide a boost to Sarawak’s tourism and hospitality sectors, while giving delegates the opportunity to experience the state’s culture, cuisine and tourism attractions.
“We want them to appreciate the beauty of Sarawak, our food and our tourism products.
“When they return home, they become ambassadors for Sarawak and help promote the state to the rest of the world,” he said.
He noted that ICOMOS, a global non governmental organisation and UNESCO advisory body on World Heritage matters, plays a key role in evaluating sites for World Heritage inscription.
According to him, Sarawak has benefited from UNESCO recognition through sites such as Gunung Mulu National Park and the recently inscribed Niah National Park.
He added that heritage conservation must go hand in hand with development.
“Heritage is not simply about preserving the past. It helps shape our future.
“It strengthens community identity, supports cultural tourism, creates opportunities for creative and traditional industries and contributes to sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
Abdul Karim also witnessed the exchange of a memorandum of understanding between ICOMOS Malaysia and the Sarawak Heritage Society to strengthen collaboration on heritage related programmes and legacy initiatives linked to the assembly.
