TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragut on Monday called for the return of cultural artifacts that took place during colonialism, war and illegal excavations, urging stronger international cooperation to protect ancient heritage.
Speaking at the Ancient Civilizations Forum in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Araguchi said repatriation of cultural property is essential to correct historical injustice.
The global move to revive cultural assets has gained momentum, Aragut told the rally, noting the recent repatriation to Egypt, Greece, Iran, Iraq and Nigeria. “We must strengthen our international legal framework to ensure that all the cultural characteristics that have been plundered are returned to their legitimate owners.”
He said that ancient civilizations are not only a reflection of the past, but also a guide to the future, warning that threats to cultural sites in West Asia and other regions remain permanent.
Araghchi urged to expand cooperation, share resources and use innovations such as satellite imaging, artificial intelligence and digital archiving to protect heritage sites and uncover lost chapters of history.
He proposed that the forum lead the joint science mission and establish a digital consortium to map and protect the shared cultural heritage for future generations.
Araguchi also tackled the ongoing conflict in Gaza, calling it a “direct attack on cultural genocide and historical identity.” He said that the preservation of culture and human life was inseparable, demanding an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian assistance, and an end to occupation.
The Greek-sponsored forum brought together representatives from several countries with rich heritage of ancient cultures.
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