A replica of the Ishtar Gate at the ancient archaeological site of Babylon, south of Baghdad. (AFP)

Amid increasing threats to global cultural heritage, the World Monuments Fund continues its efforts to preserve and safeguard archaeological sites for future generations. Since the 1990s, the Fund has been working on projects in the Arab world, playing an active role through restoration, training, and support for traditional crafts, alongside programs that promote sustainable development. In this context, Dr. Elie Flouti, the Fund’s representative in Arab countries, spoke to An-Nahar about key projects and current challenges.

Flouti explained that the Fund is currently working on multiple projects including the restoration of historic sites threatened with disappearance, supporting traditional crafts linked to heritage, as well as enhancing sustainable tourism infrastructure. He pointed out that the “Watch List of Monuments” program, implemented every two years, is one of the most prominent initiatives, highlighting sites facing natural dangers or challenges caused by human activity. He confirmed that site selection is based on precise criteria considering historical and cultural importance, threat level, and the potential for tangible impact through the Fund’s intervention.

He noted that the Fund’s activity in the Arab world spans three decades, mentioning training programs for artisans in Libya, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and Yemen, in addition to prominent restoration projects such as the Ishtar Gate in Babylon, the Cultural Museum in Mosul, and the Ibrahim Al-Jalshani Tekkiye in Cairo. He also added that the Fund supports sites listed on the “Watch List of Monuments” such as the city of Debdou in Morocco, traditional water reservoirs in Tunis, and some historic buildings in Gaza City.

Regarding challenges, he stressed that armed conflicts are among the most significant threats to heritage, alongside climate change causing rising temperatures, coastal erosion, and natural disasters like floods and hurricanes. He added that unplanned urban expansion and excessive tourism pressure multiply the risks, while many countries suffer from limited financial and human resources needed for protection.

Concerning the role of local communities, he affirmed that heritage preservation cannot be achieved without them. He said the Fund works to enhance the skills of craftsmen and specialists through training in traditional and modern restoration techniques, and seeks to involve residents in sustainable tourism development projects, as well as organizing awareness programs and providing job opportunities related to site preservation.

On cooperation mechanisms, he indicated that the Fund relies on strategic partnerships with ministries of culture, antiquities, tourism, and municipalities, in addition to international organizations such as UNESCO and ICOMOS. He added that signing long-term cooperation agreements ensures knowledge transfer and local capacity building, and allows integration of projects into national cultural and tourism development plans to guarantee their continuity.

Regarding funding, he explained that the Fund depends on a mix of resources, including individual donations, partnerships with global nonprofit and cultural institutions, as well as government and private sector support. He considered that diversifying funding sources provides flexibility in project implementation but poses challenges related to sustainability amid increasing threats.

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of technology in heritage protection, pointing to the role of 3D digital documentation in creating accurate virtual replicas of archaeological sites, and the potential of artificial intelligence in analyzing deterioration factors and predicting risks. He also noted that educational and interactive applications, along with virtual and augmented reality, provide wider access to the public, especially youth, enhancing awareness and cultural belonging and making heritage more resilient to present and future challenges.