The Third Conference of the International Alliance of Museums of the Silk Road (IAMS) was held at the National Museum of China on November 1, 2023. The conference was presided by Wang Chunfa, President of the Alliance and Director of the National Museum of China, addressed by Hu Heping, Minister of Culture and Tourism of China, and remotely via video by Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative of UNESCO Beijing. Representatives from 25 member institutions of the Alliance, UNESCO representatives, as well as diplomats from 10 countries attended the conference.
Hu Heping stated that since IAMS’s official establishment in 2017, the Alliance has 172 member institutions from 42 countries. Numerous work has been done in developing operating mechanism, exhibition cooperation, cultural heritage research, academic exchanges, communication and publicity and professional development with remarkable results achieved. Chinese President Xi Jinping announced eight major steps China will take to support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, as well as China’s commitment to enhancing dialogue on civilizations with BRI partner countries in his keynote speech at the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. This conference held significant meaning in implementing the consensus of the forum, deepening exchanges and cooperation, and expanding the influence of the Alliance. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China is willing to join forces with countries along the Silk Road and all members of the Alliance to actively practice the Global Civilization Initiative, fully carry out the "Cultural Silk Road" program, establish and utilize the Alliance and other cooperative mechanisms, organize various cultural and tourism exchange activities, and comprehensively promote the implementation of the consensus on cultural exchanges reached at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.
Prof. Shahbaz Khan noted that President Xi Jinping's proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative resonated with the spirit of the Silk Road, which has built bridges between different civilizations and promoted exchanges, mutual learning and international cooperation. Museums, serving as a crucial platform for preserving cultural heritage and empowering public education, are encouraged to play a greater role in social development by UNESCO who has been providing capacity-building and technical support for museum management. The IAMS has enhanced cultural exchanges and cooperation among countries, actively supported and promoted the Belt and Road Initiative through practical actions. He expected the Alliance to continue to give full play to its potential and take active measures to contribute to the establishment of a more inclusive and sustainable common future for mankind.
Dr. Wang Chunfa announced the Resolutions of IAMS Executive Council Meetings and extended warm welcome to six new member institutions, including the Department of Antiquities, Cyprus, and three newly appointed vice-presidents. Dr. Ding Pengbo, IAMS Secretary General and Deputy Director of the National Museum of China, gave an overview of the IAMS work for 2022-2023.
Following the opening ceremony, members of the Alliance from home and abroad engaged in comprehensive discussions around the theme "Progress and Prospects: Dialogue along the Silk Road" encompassing three sessions, namely "Museums’ Role in Promoting the Common Values of Mankind," "Museums’ Role in Inheritance and Innovation of Civilizations," and "Museums’ Role in Resource Transformation and Creative Utilization." All participants have provided valuable insights and suggestions for the high-quality construction of the "Cultural Silk Road" and foreseen a bright future for the development of the IAMS.
In the closing remarks, Dr. Wang Chunfa proposed that, looking to the future, all IAMS member institutions should continue to build closer ties to achieve mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, deepen dialogue among civilizations and facilitate communication and mutual learning, take the IAMS platform as a foothold for practical cooperation, further technological innovations to empower intelligent development and improve operating mechanisms to expand the collaborative network, better fulfilling the cultural mission of museums through high-quality cooperation.
Source: National Museum of China