Greece hosted the 9th Ministerial Meeting for the Ancient Civilisations Forum (AFC) at the Acropolis Museum in Athens last Friday, where participants reaffirmed their commitment to protecting and restoring heritage through the Athens Declaration.
Opening this year’s session, the Greek Foreign Minister described cultural heritage as a living legacy, rather than a relic of the past, a statement which rings true to Iraq’s legacy.
Initiated by Greece in 2017, with founding members China, Bolivia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Peru, with Mexico as an observer, the AFC provides a platform for countries with rich cultural heritage to connect, and promote dialogue on diplomacy, global stability and heritage preservation.
Although not singled out in official statements, Iraq’s cultural legacy remained central to the discussions at this year’s AFC.
As one of the founding members, Iraq was once home to some of the world’s earliest civilisations, and shares the foundations on which the AFC was built.
As the forum continues to expand its global reach, Iraq continues to play a vital role, serving as a bridge between safeguarding the civilisations of the past and shaping conversations on sustainable development and peace in the present day.
- Published: 15th December, 2025
- Location: Athens
- Country: Greece
- Editor: Amel Saleh
- Category: Heritage
