Ministerial delegations from nine countries visit the Iraqi National Museum

Baghdad-INA

General Authority for Antiquities and Heritage confirmed on Sunday, the visit of delegations from nine countries to the Iraqi National Museum, as part of the activities of the Ancient Civilizations Forum in its sixth session.

The head of Antiquities Authority, Laith Majeed Hussein, said in a statement to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "the Iraqi Museum was honored with the presence of ministerial delegations from nine countries representing the Forum of Ancient Civilizations, as well as Iraq, which included (Iran, Greece, China, Italy, Peru, Bolivia, Armenia, Mexico and Egypt)."

The statement added, "Iraq hosted this important forum because of its political and cultural nature," noting that "the delegation expressed great admiration for the contents of the Iraqi Museum, which is one of the most important museums in the world."

It stressed that "some delegations will go tomorrow to Babylon to visit the archaeological sites," pointing out that "the forum will be a good start for establishing relations with countries,there are also international demands for the recovery of Iraqi antiquities abroad, and there is follow-up by UNESCO and Interpol to return the stolen antiquities, and work will be serious to recover the last piece."


The work of the Ancient Civilizations Forum, in its sixth edition, was launched on Sunday, in the capital, Baghdad, with an international presence, while Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein announced the return of 18,000 smuggled artifacts.


Hussein said, in his speech during the opening of the forum, which was attended by the correspondent of the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "the world is facing great challenges due to crises and different interests."


He added, "Most of Iraq's civilizations were exposed to various threats, and terrorism had a hand in destroying civilizational monuments."

He added, "Iraq follows a participatory vision, and there is a responsibility before it in the future to take the lead in joint cooperation," noting that "the challenges of climate change require joint cooperation."


The Forum of Civilizations is a diplomatic approach to support global efforts in facing challenges.

Iraq was subjected at different periods, to systematic theft to smuggle its cultural heritage.

He pointed out that "the Iraqi government has made efforts to stop sabotage operations against antiquities, as more than 18,000 smuggled artifacts have been returned," expressing "hope to strengthen bilateral cooperation and coordination to return all stolen antiquities."