The 4th Conference of the International Alliance of Museums of the Silk Road (IAMS), themed “Passing the Torch: Expansion of Museums Functions and Revitalization of Cultural Heritage”, was successfully held in Hangzhou, China as a sub-forum of the 3rd Liangzhu Forum on October 19, 2025. The event was jointly hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, National Cultural Heritage Administration of the People’s Republic of China, and People's Government of Zhejiang Province. It was organized by the National Museum of China, Bureau of International Exchanges and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, Department of Museums and Social Relics of National Cultural Heritage Administration of the People’s Republic of China, Publicity Department of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of CPC, Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, and Hangzhou Municipal People’s Government, and presented by the China National Silk Museum.
Gao Zheng, China’s Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism, and Hu Wei, Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province, delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. Shahbaz Khan, Director of UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and Representative to China, DPRK, Japan, Mongolia and ROK, gave a video address. Mr. Luo Wenli, President of the IAMS and Director of the National Museum of China, presided over the opening ceremony. More than 100 representatives from IAMS member institutions attended the conference, including participants from Myanmar, Serbia, Cuba and Nigeria and etc.
Vice Minister Gao Zheng emphasized that museums played a vital role in the preservation and transmission of human civilization. He noted that the IAMS has achieved remarkable progress in advancing the Global Civilization Initiative and strengthening people-to-people connectivity along the Belt and Road. China, he said, stood ready to work with all partners to further IAMS development, refine its institutional framework, promote the Silk Road spirit, enhance mutual learning, foster inheritance and innovation, and cultivate young talent—laying a solid foundation for shared progress. He expressed hope that all member institutions could join forces to advance the Alliance and contribute to the prosperity of the global museum community, thereby adding wisdom and strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Vice Governor Hu Wei emphasized that museums have become key platforms for dialogue among civilizations, serving as bridges of understanding and friendship between nations. He noted the continued growth of the Alliance would deepen global museum cooperation and open new avenues for the conservation and revitalization of cultural heritage. He expressed hope for closer collaboration with museums and cultural institutions worldwide to jointly explore new pathways for high-quality museum development, and inject renewed vitality into global cultural exchange and mutual learning.
Dr. Ding Pengbo, Secretary-General of the IAMS and Deputy Director of the National Museum of China, presented a work review of IAMS achievements over the past two years. The conference announced the admission of eight new member institutions: the History Museum of Armenia, the Semnan History Museum, Iran, the Red Sea Museum, Saudi Arabia, the Qatar Museums, the National Heritage Institute, Tunisia, the National Museum of Bukovina, Romania, the National Museum of Decorative Arts, Cuba, and the Ark Puppet Theater-Museum, Cuba. IAMS now comprises 180 member institutions, including 65 international and 115 Chinese members.
At the conference, Luo Wenli released the IAMS—Hangzhou Declaration, which outlined six key commitments:
1.Deepen mutual learning among civilizations and safeguard cultural heritage
2.Embrace digital technology and foster knowledge sharing
3.Strengthen IAMS cooperation and promote the values of the Silk Road
4.Empower youth development and cultivate future talent
5.Advance sustainable development and fulfill social responsibilities
6.Expand cross-sector collaboration and boost cultural vitality
The declaration calls on all members to draw upon historical wisdom and take Hangzhou as a new starting point—to uphold the spirit of “passing the torch”, safeguard humanity’s shared heritage, deepen exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, and work together to build a harmonious and prosperous future for the Silk Road.
Focusing on the theme of expanding museum functions and revitalizing cultural heritage, the conference examined global practices in the museum sector—how to make “slumbering relics speak”, revive ancient crafts, and transform museums into bridges connecting different civilizations.
During the keynote session, themed “Bringing Cultural Relics to Life: Better Fulfilling the Role of Museums”, Luo Wenli shared the National Museum of China’s experiences in the creative utilization of cultural relics. He discussed strengthening the foundations of heritage utilization, promoting coordinated progress and foster collective development in this area through technological empowerment and application, as well as deepened exchange and collaboration.
Five vice-presidents of the IAMS also delivered speeches at the conference. Nang Lao Ngin, Director of the National Museum of Myanmar (Yangon), shared experiences in cultural heritage transmission through digital technology, community education, social engagement, and international promotion. Lou Jianlong, Director of the Fujian Museum, discussed his institution’s efforts in promoting dialogue among diverse civilizations, emphasizing mutual respect, equal dialogue and shared prosperity. Akmaral Ibraeva, Deputy Director of the National Museum of Kazakhstan, explored the expansion of museum functions and revitalization of cultural heritage from technological, cultural, economic and global perspectives. Dr. Ji Xiaofen, Director of the China National Silk Museum, introduced the museum’s “Global Showcase” (1+N) as an example of new paradigms for museums to facilitate the inheritance and re-interpretation of civilizations. Bojana Borić Brešković, Director of the National Museum of Serbia, shared insights on international exchange, social initiatives, and the digital industry.
During the parallel sessions, 37 museum directors and experts from China and abroad exchanged views on three sub-topics: “Museums and Diverse Civilizations: Interpreting Exchanges and Mutual Learning of Silk Road Civilizations through Museum Treasures”, “Museums and Social Collaboration: Building an Integrated Cultural Service Network Engaging the Public, Communities, and the City” and “Museums and Sustainable Development: Pioneering Multiple Pathways toward Green Operations, Social Responsibility, and Cultural Sustainability”.
In the evening of October 19, Chinese and international guests visited the China National Silk Museum to learn about its exhibitions, research, restoration, and educational programs, and took part in the Silk Road Night event.
Source: China National Silk Museum