Statement by E. Mr. Javad Amin-Mansour Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative the Islamic Republic of Iran International Conference on the 20th anniversary of the 1999 Second Protocol to the 1954 Hague Convention Geneva, 25 - 26 April 2019   بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم   Mr. President,   Cultural heritage is a symbol of our understandings and respect for all beliefs, cultural diversity and civilizations. it represents our nations’ history and identity and deserves adequate attention and cooperation of the international community. My delegation, thus, appreciates the organizers, particularly UNESCO, for holding this Conference in Geneva.   Despite the wide recognition of the values of our cultural properties, they are unfortunately subject to destruction, looting and illegal trafficking, particularly at the time of conflicts. What happened in recent years to temples in Palmyra, sculptures in Raqqa, ancient cities of Nimrud and Hatra, historic mosques and libraries of Mosul, and Buddhas of Bamiyan are just examples, which were deliberately and systematically destroyed, illicitly looted, and some of them excavated and subsequently trafficked out of those countries. Such shameful acts occurred when the Governments of Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan were under attack from violent extremists and terrorists.   Although many terrorist groups have been pushed back from many heritage sites in Iraq and Syria and Afghanistan, the reports of continued seizures of antiquities, originating from these countries, underscore the need for our continued attention, commitment, obligations, and cooperation to prevent such unlawful practices.     Mr. President, My country is among 82 State Parties to the Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (The Hague, 26 March 1999). The Second Protocol introduced new developments in international law and provided a higher level of legal protection, safeguard and respect. In spite of its significance, the number of State Parties to the Protocol and the levels of commitments are not enough. Therefore, the current Conference is indeed a unique opportunity for raising awareness for the 1999 Second Protocol and to encourage all other States to become party to the Protocol.    I thank you.