UNAMA chief stresses protection of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage in farewell meeting

Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), emphasized the importance of safeguarding Afghanistan’s cultural heritage during her farewell meeting with Khairullah Khairkhwa, the Minister of Information and Culture.

Otunbayeva highlighted the critical role of cultural treasures such as the National Archives and the National Museum, describing them as invaluable symbols of Afghanistan’s history and identity.

She assured continued support from relevant international organizations, particularly UNESCO, in preserving the country’s cultural assets.

Khairkhwa reaffirmed that protecting cultural heritage remains a top priority for the Ministry of Information and Culture, stressing the government’s commitment to safeguarding historical monuments and artifacts.

During the meeting, Otunbayeva also underscored the importance of organizing cultural programs, such as annual book festivals, to promote knowledge, literacy, and cultural awareness among the Afghan population, especially youth.

Cultural experts in Afghanistan welcomed UN and UNESCO engagement, noting that international cooperation plays a vital role in protecting heritage sites and historic monuments.

Officials from the Ministry of Information and Culture further stated that the Islamic Emirate remains committed to preserving Afghanistan’s ancient heritage, pointing out that in recent years, significant efforts have been made to prevent the smuggling and illicit trade of historical artifacts.