This took place during an international forum on Syrian archaeological sites registered on the list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) convened by the Syrian Secretariat for Development.

The event was attended by specialists from 15 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Spain, Russia, Algeria, Oman, among others.

According to a statement from the Department of Antiquities and Museums, the Syrians are currently working with a very limited group of international institutions and organizations to protect their heritage.

It considered that the time has come for international NGOs to work to help recover these valuable sites.

The declaration approved by the forum stressed the importance of developing a national plan for heritage recovery and a strategy for funding projects, in addition to expanding the level of international cooperation in the fight against trafficking of cultural property and the return of foreign archaeological teams to Syria.

It further explained that tangible and intangible heritage suffered serious damage during the 11 years of war, and even life in the communities around the heritage sites was disrupted.

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