18 April 2022

The International Day for Monuments and Sites 2022: Exploring "Heritage and Climate"

The 18th of April marks the International Day for Monuments and Sites also known as World Heritage Day, which was proposed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in 1982 and adopted by UNESCO during its 22nd General Conference in 1983. It aims to promote awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage of humanity, their vulnerability, and the efforts required for their protection and conservation.

The theme of 2022 - Heritage and Climate - builds on the last year’s theme Complex Pasts: Diverse Futures, calling for open, constructive, and intergenerational dialogues, between ICOMOS members, ICOMOS National, and International Scientific Committees, Working Groups and partners, civil society and citizens.

The celebration of this year brings an opportunity to creatively think of effective strategies to promote the full potential of heritage conservation research and practice to deliver climate-resilient pathways to strengthen sustainable development, while advocating for just transitions to low-carbon futures. It is part of the ICOMOS Triennial Scientific Plan 2021-2024 and alligns with the 2020 ICOMOS’ resolution on People-Centered Approaches to Cultural Heritage.


Did you know that? 

The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage defines monuments as architectural works, works of monumental sculpture and painting, elements or structures of an archaeological nature, inscriptions, cave dwellings, and combinations of features, which are of outstanding universal value from the point of view of history, art or science.


Learn more