ALIPH Foundation Commits to Continuing Cultural Projects in Afghanistan
Representatives of the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas (ALIPH) announced the continuation and initiation of new cultural projects in Afghanistan during a meeting with Mawlawi Atiqullah Azizi, Deputy Minister of Culture and Art at the Taliban-run Ministry of Information and Culture in Kabul.
According to the Ministry of Information and Culture’s newsletter, Carlos Eduardo and Alexandra Faibi, ALIPH representatives, along with Engineer Miwandi, head of the cultural department of the Aga Khan Foundation, discussed joint cooperation during the meeting. They highlighted efforts to assess and strengthen archaeological sites in the Mes Aynak area in Logar province, cultural projects in Bamyan, preservation of the Minar-i-Jam in Ghor, the minarets of Herat, and Bala Hissar in Kabul as key ongoing programs.
The representatives also stated that several other projects are underway across various provinces in the country. These initiatives aim to protect and promote the historical heritage of Afghanistan.
Mawlawi Atiqullah Azizi described ALIPH’s presence as important and called the foundation’s support essential for reinforcing and safeguarding the country’s cultural and archaeological heritage. He claimed that after several decades, there is now an appropriate opportunity to protect historical sites and archaeological remains, urging international organizations to collaborate effectively in this field without considering political sensitivities.
ALIPH representatives emphasized establishing a clear mechanism and defined framework for close, sustained, and effective coordination with the Ministry of Information and Culture to ensure that the project implementation process proceeds in a more organized and targeted manner.
Afghanistan is among the countries whose cultural heritage has been severely damaged due to prolonged wars, making the protection of these assets a major concern for cultural experts and international organizations.
