By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, June 9: Kuching will host the 22nd General Assembly and Scientific Symposium (GA2026) of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the first event of its kind in Southeast Asia (SEA), from October 17 to 24 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
This landmark gathering—often described as the ‘Olympics of Cultural Heritage’—will operate under the theme ‘Living Heritage: Respect, Enhance, Accept, Partnership’. To date, the event has already drawn over 1,100 registered delegates from more than 100 countries.
In his remarks, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP), stated that GA2026 will place Sarawak and Malaysia at the centre of global discussions regarding heritage conservation, sustainable development, and resilient communities.
He added that as Sarawak and Malaysia continue to develop, it is recognised that progress and heritage must go hand in hand, as heritage is not simply about preserving the past.
He further elaborated that heritage helps shape the future, strengthens community identity, supports cultural tourism, creates opportunities for creative and traditional industries, and contributes to sustainable livelihoods.
“At a time when many cultures are grappling with the pressures of rapid modernisation, GA2026 serves as a vital reminder that our heritage must be protected and preserved for future generations.
“By keeping our heritage alive, we ensure that future generations understand who they are, where they come from, and the values that define them,” he said during a press conference today.
At the same time, he also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICOMOS and the Sarawak Heritage Society (SHS) in conjunction with the GA2026.
Regarding the MoU, Abdul Karim noted that the collaboration between ICOMOS Malaysia and the SHS highlights the vital truth that heritage conservation is a shared responsibility.
He expressed his hope that, through this MoU, both organisations will commit to collaborative efforts in research, training, knowledge exchange, community engagement, and heritage conservation initiatives.
Among those present were MCTP Deputy Minister Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, MCTP permanent secretary Morshidi Fredrick, Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) chief executive officer (CEO) Jason Tan Chin Foo, ICOMOS Malaysia president Faisal Abd Rahman, and SHS president Datin Rosemarie Wong-Jabu. — DayakDaily
