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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GLOBAL HERITAGE FUND LEADS EFFORTS TO PRESERVE IRAQ 'S HERITAGE

PETRA, JORDAN (July 19, 2004) - Global Heritage Fund (GHF) and the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities have signed a multi-year partnership to jointly develop master conservation plans and training to help conserve Iraq's most endangered and important archaeological and world heritage sites.

"This is a major step toward bringing world-class conservation to Iraq and preventing further loss and destruction," says Jeff Morgan, executive director of Global Heritage Fund, the leading international conservancy preserving endangered world heritage sites in developing countries.

The partnership was the result of the recent GHF Iraq Heritage Congress, an eight-day workshop for 28 leading Iraqi site directors and conservators, co-sponsored by The World Bank.

The event culminated with GHF, the Iraqi Department of Antiquities and the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago agreeing to a multi-year structured program of master conservation planning, site mapping, emergency site conservation, training and capacity-building to assist in the world-class planning and conservation of Iraq 's major archaeological and world heritage sites.

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While 16 potential sites were identified, those targeted to be the focus of the first master conservation planning and emergency site conservation efforts in 2004 and 2005 are Hatra and Ashur in the northern sector, Ctesiphon (site of the largest standing arch in the world, now in danger of collapse) and Samarra in the central sector, and Ur in the southern sector.

"GHF will ensure the highest standards of conservation, planning, site management, science, training and site intervention while providing critical expertise, technology and funding," says Morgan. "We anticipate Iraq to be able to implement a solid strategy of conservation and development to make cultural tourism the second largest industry in Iraq within 10 years and a major driver toward long-term protection of Iraq 's world heritage."

A key component of the site mapping aspect of the project will be the technical expertise of the CAMEL Laboratory of the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago , led by Drs. McGuire Gibson and Mark Altaweel.

"I am extremely optimistic about the site proposals that will come from the participants in the conference," said Dr. Gibson. "Iraqis have a proud record of protecting their cultural heritage and, despite the tragic losses suffered in the current situation, I have confidence they will once again gain control over the sites.  Reinvigorated and well-thought-out site management will be a key element of the revival of the State Board of Antiquities."

As part of the initial efforts, over the next two years GHF will work closely with the Iraqi State Bureau of Antiquities and the Ministry of Culture to complete world-class site management plans for the five high-priority sites and provide co-funding for two archaeological site conservations based on the priorities in the planning process. The site management plans will

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also help form the basis of formal designation by UNESCO World Heritage for enhanced protection and international support.

The Iraq Heritage Program will be supported by a five-person board of directors which will manage all funding to the projects, review progress and quality assessment, audit financials and quarterly approve new funding. All five participating directors must agree on disbursements and no funding can be made to government agencies. It will be supported by a Technical Expert Committee, with the support of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago .

The Iraq Heritage Congress also resulted in the establishment of the first Iraq Principles of Conservation , which will be adopted by the Ministry of Culture and the new Iraqi government based on the Venice International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites and the ICOMOS Burra Charter.

"With the recent transition of government in Iraq , the Iraq Heritage Congress proved to be very timely and reinforced the critical need for a lasting framework for future development," says Morgan.

About Global Heritage Fund

Global Heritage Fund is the leading international conservancy preserving endangered world heritage sites in developing countries. The conservancy's goal is to enable successful, long-term preservation of humankind's most important archaeological sites and ancient townscapes, creating new opportunities for economic growth. Global Heritage Fund uses its Preservation by Design methodology to develop comprehensive Master Conservation Plans, provide early matching grants and training, build local institutions and promote sustainable tourism development to further permanent protection for global cultural treasures. Global Heritage Fund is a registered non-profit international conservancy based in Palo Alto , California .

At the very heart of GHF's conservation efforts are the organization's Leaders in Conservation , the Advisory Board, and Trustees for Global Heritage, a distinguished network of philanthropists and foundations committed to preserving and protecting these endangered one-of-a-kind archaeological and world heritage sites.

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