Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Preservation of the World Cultural Heritage
Objective
The purpose of the Funds-in-Trust is to preserve the tangible cultural heritage such as historic monuments and archaeological remains of great value.
Activities financed by the Funds-in-Trust
The Funds-in-Trust finances those activities which comply with this objective, such as restoration and preservation work and the necessary preliminary or general studies and surveys (including limited archaeological excavation work) for this purpose. The relevant services of international experts and equipment may be provided according to need. As the training of national specialists constitutes a major part of such co-operation, each project shall include activities for training in the relevant fields. Conversely, those activities which are not directly related to the aforementioned objective, such as the construction or development of an on-site museum or the installation of new structures for developing cultural tourism, shall not be the subject of funding.
More information on the Funds-in-Trust
In spite of the efforts made over the years by UNESCO, together with other institutions collaborating with it, both at the normative as well as operational levels, there are still many sites, historic monuments and other vestiges of the cultural heritage common to humankind which are threatened with serious degradation, and even disappearance, for lack of appropriate intervention. Deeply preoccupied by this problem, Japan ranks among the Member States which have kindly lent their active support to UNESCO's action, as illustrated by the financial and technical assistance provided by the Japanese Government to various international campaigns such as those for the safeguarding of the Temple of Abu Simbel in Nubia, the Temple of Borobudur (Indonesia) and the archaeological site of Moenjodaro (Pakistan). In 1988, Mr Noboru Takeshita, the Japanese Prime Minister, announced in London that the strengthening of cultural exchanges would henceforth be one of the pillars of Japanese foreign policy in regard to international co-operation. In the framework of this new cultural policy of co-operation, the field of preservation of the cultural heritage was selected and, in 1989, the Japanese Government deposited with UNESCO a fund specifically for that purpose called "The Japanese Funds-in-Trust for the Preservation of the World Cultural Heritage", thereby confirming its determination to support the joint efforts of UNESCO and the countries concerned.
Identification and selection of projects
Projects may be proposed both by UNESCO and the Japanese authorities on the basis of requests for assistance submitted by the governments, which wish to apply for this co-operation for their significant tangible cultural assets. The sites for this co-operation should be of globally objectively recognized significance and in imminent danger of disintegration or collapsing. The cultural asset need not necessarily be inscribed on the World Heritage List, but its inclusion may be a factor to be considered in appreciating the value of the cultural heritage concerned. In addition to the budgetary provision and availability of the funds, the priority given by the beneficiary government and the compatibility with Japanese foreign policy and geographical distribution of the projects already in progress are considered in the identification of projects. The collaboration/participation of Japanese experts shall be considered favourably in the spirit of technical co-operation for development.
Commitment of the beneficiary State
The spirit of co-operation under this Funds-in-Trust is to support the efforts made by national authorities in the field of preservation of the cultural heritage, especially through provision of technical assistance, so that this task can be taken in charge entirely by the beneficiary state in future. In this regard, a firm commitment by the beneficiary country to the task through its participation and co-operation is an essential element for the success of the project undertaken.
Significance of the Preservation of the Cultural Heritage Prospects for Future Co-operation
The world’s cultural heritage sites, including those presented here, show our cultural diversity through their different artistic styles and social functions. Thus, they provide us with opportunities to appreciate different cultural traditions while at the same time representing common human aspirations. Cultural heritage, an expression of human existence, continually inspires us. Therefore, responsibility for its protection should be shared by us all, in order that it can serve as a bridge between the past, present and future.
Four decades after the first International Safeguarding Campaign launched by UNESCO to save the monuments and sites of Nubia, the international community is now fully aware of the importance of the world cultural heritage and of its responsibility towards this common heritage of humanity.
Although the international community has continued to respond to UNESCO’s appeals, more pressing economic needs have often relegated culture to second place. Yet cultural heritage can be a major opportunity for economic development, as has been shown in Cambodia, and it needs to be properly managed according to integrated plans. The cultural heritage can also play an important role in enhancing people’s awareness of their own cultural identities, especially for those living in post-conflict situations.
UNESCO is grateful to the Japanese Government for its continuing support for the Organization’s endeavours in the field of culture, notably through the generous contribution it has made through this Funds-in-Trust to saving numerous cultural heritage sites all over the world. The greater part of this co-operation has been carried out in Asia, though projects have also been successfully implemented in Europe (Romania), Africa (Benin and Egypt), and Latin America (Peru and Chile).
Given the universal significance of cultural heritage preservation, it is UNESCO’s ardent wish that such cooperation should in future also be carried out elsewhere in the world at other cultural sites whose preservation is essential for future generations.
Capacity-building programme for the nomination of World Heritage sites in the Africa Region
In 2021, the Government of Japan contributed 800,000 USD to support the project “Capacity-building programme for the nomination of World Heritage sites in the Africa Region”, which targets ten (10) countries in the Africa region without inscribed property (Burundi, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, South Sudan) in view of developing solid and credible nomination dossiers.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks to all those who provided their technical assistance for the preparation of this promotional publication, particularly the Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU).
- Africa Nature
- Capacity-building programme for the nomination of World Heritage sites in the Africa Region supported by Government of Japan
- Celebrating 40 years of the World Heritage Convention
- Conservation and Restoration of the Royal Plaza, the Bayon and Angkor Wat
- LAC Extra-budgetary Projects
- Mozambique : Rehabilitation Project of the San Sebastian Fortress, Island of Mozambique
- Report of the 40th Anniversary of the World Heritage Convention
- Restoration of Probota Monastery
- Romania - International support for the restoration and preservation of the Probota Monastery
- SIDS Capacity Building Programme
- Safeguarding of the Bamiyan Site, Phase II
- Safeguarding of the Bamiyan Site, Phase III
- Safeguarding of the Bamiyan Site, Phase IV
- Safeguarding of the Bamiyan site, Phase I
- Silk Roads Heritage Corridor
- Silk Roads World Heritage Serial and Transnational Nomination in Central Asia: A UNESCO/Japanese Funds-in-Trust Project
- Strengthening Conservation and Management of Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha, World Heritage Property: A UNESCO/Japanese Funds-in-Trust Project, 2010-2013
- Support for the Silk Roads World Heritage Sites in Central Asia (Phase II)
- Support to the South Asian Cultural Landscape Initiatives: A UNESCO/Japanese Funds-in-Trust Project, 2016 - 2018
- World Heritage Programme for Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- World Heritage and Museums
- Strengthening Capacity for Sustainable Tourism in World Heritage Sites in Suriname 07-Sep-2022
- A roadmap for Sierra Leone’s first site to be proposed for UNESCO’s World Heritage List 23-Aug-2022
- Reinforcing the representation of the Africa region on the UNESCO World Heritage List 21-Jun-2022
- UNESCO and ICCROM launch training initiative strengthening management of African World Heritage sites 03-Jan-2022
- Sub‐regional Capacity Building workshop on Sustainable Tourism for the Caribbean 08-Dec-2021
- Looking into the future: Highlights of the Regional Action Plan for Africa (2021‐2027) 03-Aug-2021
- Rwanda consults UNESCO for technical support in preparation of the Nyungwe National Park World Heritage nomination file 08-Jul-2021
- Six countries share experiences and celebrate Qhapaq Ñan cooperation 04-Jul-2019
- Qhapaq Ñan countries continue collaboration with more workshops 02-Nov-2018
- Ugandan youth are at the centre of the reconstruction process at Kasubi Tombs World Heritage Site in Danger 11-Sep-2017
- International Workshop on Preservation of Stone Structures of Qhapaq Ñan, Ecuador 23-Jun-2017
- Workshop held for the “Formulation of the axes of the plan for safeguarding the intangible heritage associated to Qhapaq Ñan” 28-May-2017
- Action Plan adopted in Kyzylorda to set the way forward for the Silk Roads: Fergana-Syradarya Corridor World Heritage serial and transnational nomination process 28-Dec-2016
- The 13th Bamiyan Expert Working Group Meeting met in Germany 13-Dec-2016
- UNESCO and Bhutan launch two-year project for South Asian Cultural Landscape Initiatives 03-Aug-2016
- On Buddha’s Trail, from Lumbini to Tilaraukot 20-Apr-2016
- Tour Guiding Manual for the Kasubi Tombs World Heritage site in Uganda published 24-Feb-2016
- “Safeguarding Precious Resources for Island Communities” World Heritage Paper series on SIDS published”. 25-Aug-2014
- 40th anniversary: Proceedings of the Closing Event published 18-Nov-2013
- UNESCO, Turkey and Japan launch project to safeguard the World Heritage site of Cappadocia (Turkey) 18-Jul-2013
- Earliest Buddhist shrines in South Asia discovered in Lumbini, Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal 07-Jul-2013
- Report of the 40th Anniversary Year activities: Celebrating 40 years of the World Heritage Convention and looking forward to tomorrow 07-Jun-2013
- New project for the preservation of the World Heritage Property in Nepal: Lumbini, Lord Bhudda’s Birthplace starts with funds from UNESCO/Japanese Fund-in-Trust 20-Jul-2010
- Joint efforts for the preservation of World Heritage in Mozambique 13-Feb-2009
- Capacity building on sustainable tourism strategies for “The Industrial Heritage of Barbados: The Story of Sugar and Rum” 27-Oct-2020-29-Oct-2020
- International Expert Meeting on the Conservation and Revitalization of the Kasbah of Algiers, a World Heritage property 20-Jan-2018-24-Jan-2018
- Central Asian Silk Road Sub-Regional Meeting: “Reinforcement of sub-regional management coordination and knowledge: Sustainable Tourism and development initiatives” 24-May-2017
- 2017 Lumbini International Steering Committee Meeting 17-Feb-2017-19-Feb-2017
- Expert Meeting for the Serial Transnational World Heritage Nomination “Silk Roads: Fergana – Syrdarya Corridor” 14-Nov-2016
- Cultural Landscape Workshop to be held in Paro and Thimphu, Bhutan 12-Jul-2016-03-Aug-2016
- 2016 Lumbini International Steering Committee Meeting 19-Apr-2016-21-Apr-2016
- World Heritage Awareness workshop for Tuvalu 10-Mar-2015-11-Mar-2015
- World Heritage Awareness Workshop for Nauru 19-Jan-2015-23-Jan-2015
- Japan funds a capacity-building workshop for the development of a World Heritage Tentative List for Sao Tome and Principe 08-Oct-2013-12-Oct-2013
- Caribbean Training Course in the Preparation of Nomination Dossiers 2012-2013 (Follow-up) 24-Mar-2013-28-Mar-2013
- 2nd Consultation Workshop on the Safeguarding of Nan Madol 21-Mar-2013-23-Mar-2013
- Capacity-building Workshop for Cook Islands 11-Mar-2013-15-Mar-2013
- Capacity-building Workshop for Niue 04-Mar-2013-07-Mar-2013
- National Museum of Cambodia and UNESCO inaugurate “Our Common Heritage: Exploring World Heritage Sites of Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam” 19-Feb-2013-30-Jun-2013
- Workshop on the Management Plan for Cidade Velha - “Heritage is our wealth, management is our responsibility” 20-Nov-2012-21-Nov-2012
- World Heritage Convention 40th anniversary celebrations: Closing event 06-Nov-2012-08-Nov-2012
- Caribbean Training Course in the Preparation of Nomination Dossiers 2012-2013 05-Jun-2012-15-Jun-2012
- Capacity Building workshop for Indian Ocean SIDS 30-Apr-2012-03-May-2012
- Capacity Building workshop for Tonga 20-Feb-2012-24-Feb-2012
- Community Consultation on the Nan Madol Archaeological Site of Pohnpei 23-Nov-2011-26-Nov-2011