From 7 to 9 March 2026, UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok, in collaboration with the Ritsumeikan University and Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, will convene a landmark regional conference and capacity-building workshop in Kyoto, Japan. This meeting will bring together World Heritage City site managers, researchers, and climate practitioners from across Asia and the Pacific to discuss ways to address the global challenge of climate change and concrete actions of adaptation and mitigation.
As climate risks intensify—from floods and heatwaves to droughts and rising sea levels—historic cities stand on the frontlines. Yet these same cities hold powerful knowledge, traditions, and practices that can guide climate adaptation and mitigation. This conference positions cultural heritage not as a passive victim of climate change, but as an active driver of solutions.
Through dialogue, shared learning, and hands-on training, participants will explore how World Heritage Cities can strengthen resilience, reduce vulnerabilities, and lead transformative climate action rooted in local contexts. The three-day programme will combine strategic discussions, professional and case-oriented presentations, peer exchange on innovative practices, a site visit to the World Heritage property of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, and practical workshops on climate risk assessment and adaptation planning.
By connecting expertise across borders and sectors, the event aims to catalyse a new generation of cooperation—turning knowledge into action and cities into laboratories of climate resilience.
AloJapan.com