UNESCO to establish observatory to monitor warring Syria's heritage
UNESCO will establish an observatory in Lebanon to monitor and assess Syria’s buildings, artefacts and intangible cultural heritage to combat illicit trafficking of items of historical significance from the war-torn region.
The move is also designed to collect the information required to restore the country’s heritage once fighting in the region settles down.
Based in Beirut, the Observatory will maintain an online platform where people can share information on damaged structures, looted artefacts and all forms of endangered heritage in Syria.
Syria’s archaeological sites, historic towns and monuments have been devastated since the start of the conflict in March 2011. All six of Syria's World Heritage sites have been placed on an endangered list by the World Heritage Committee (WHC), notably the Ancient City of Aleppo and the Crac des Chevaliers, with evidence that they have been used for military purposes, possibly being subjected to direct shelling and targeted explosions.
At a meeting entitled Rallying the International Community to Safeguard Syria’s Cultural Heritage more than 120 experts from 22 countries gathered to share information devise policies and improve international co-operation during the conflict and beyond.
The participants also called on the UN Security Council to consider a resolution to facilitate the restitution of stolen and illegally exported cultural objects from Syria and ban their sale and transfer.
Intangible cultural heritage - including cultural practices, performing arts and more - has also been exposed to serious damage due to social fragmentation, displacement and migration.
Maintaining heritage in war-torn countries has been a huge challenge, with Iraq’s National Museum a prime example. During the first three days of the conflict in 2003, more than 15,000 objects of historical importance looted over three days at the start of the conflict.
WMF list identifies 67 heritage sites ‘at risk of destruction' in 2014
All of Syria's Heritage sites put on endangered list
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
From flooding old shopping malls to revolutionising housing, MVRDV’s founders like to do things differently