The 4th Council Meeting of the Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance was held in Hangzhou, China. Heads of relevant agencies from over 20 countries, along with representatives of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH), participated. Kazakhstan was represented at the meeting by Aibek Sydykov, Vice Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In his speech, the Vice Minister described Kazakhstan's experience with UNESCO and proposed developing cooperation with the Alliance in three areas: training specialists and sharing expertise, remote monitoring of monuments using digital technology and artificial intelligence, and joint archaeological and scientific research on Silk Road sites.
Following the meeting, Kazakhstan received observer status in the Alliance. The Vice Minister thanked the Council members for their support and noted that this status opens up additional opportunities for cooperation with Asian countries in preserving their shared cultural heritage. During his visit, Aibek Sydykov also met with the Alliance's Executive Secretary-General, Xie Bin. The two sides discussed prospects for further cooperation. Xie Bin praised Kazakhstan's decision to join the Alliance, calling it a decisive step, and expressed hope for further strengthening of cooperation, including Kazakhstan's possible accession as a full member. He emphasized that China and Kazakhstan share unique cultural ties that serve as a solid foundation for the consistent development of cooperation.
During the visit, the Kazakh delegation also participated in the opening of the 4th Liangzhu Forum. Representatives from UNESCO, ICCROM, ALIPH, and the Organization of Ibero-American Educational, Scientific, and Cultural States participated in the forum.
The Alliance for the Protection of Asian Cultural Heritage was established in 2023 at the initiative of China. Since 2024, it has operated as an intergovernmental organization with its headquarters in Beijing.