Participants in the UNESCO High-level Forum on Museums and the forum’s staff pose for a picture after the forum closed Saturday. SD-Agencies

Nan Nan

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The UNESCO High-level Forum on Museums closed Saturday morning in Shenzhen.

The UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova pointed out at the closing ceremony that the forum aims to implement the 2015 UNESCO Recommendation concerning the protection and promotion of museums and collections, their diversity and their role in society.

Museums serve more purposes than just collection, as it is a place where people can learn about other cultures and histories, said Bokova. In recent years, China has become the nation with the most new museums. Museums serve as an important platform for China’s development, she said.

Minister of Education Chen Baosheng announced the closure of the UNESCO High-level Forum on Museums. He said that UNESCO is one of the most important international organizations. China has always been a staunch supporter and a key partner of UNESCO. The success of the UNESCO High-level Forum on Museums marks a new level in cooperation.

Chen sincerely hopes that all countries can cooperate in the museum industry to contribute to a wide diffusion of culture.

Shenzhen Mayor Xu Qin said at the closing ceremony that it was such an honor for Shenzhen, the UNESCO Creative City for Design, to host this forum. “Thanks to UNESCO, the National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO, and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage for your trust in this rising city,” said Xu.

Shenzhen will commit to greater and sustained international cooperation, Xu said, with an emphasis on museum operation, collection and research. He added that Shenzhen would continue to work toward the education of human civilization.

The “Shenzhen Declaration on Museums and Collections” was published at the closing ceremony. The Declaration provides 24 recommendations on “the diversity of museums and collections, and their operation modalities,” “the role of museums in the protection of heritage in times of peace and conflict,” “the responsibilities of museums – ethical, professional and technological standards for museums and professionals and community engagement,” and “greater national and international cooperation.”

The “Shenzhen Declaration on Museums and Collections” strongly promotes the diversity of collections. It reconfirms museums as expert institutions that contribute to heritage protection. Additionally, it underlines the moral obligation and capacity of museums to counter illicit trafficking in cultural objects.

The “Shenzhen Declaration on Museums and Collections” encourages museums to adopt a rigorous code of ethics and to develop, where possible, cooperative projects.

The UNESCO High-level Forum on Museums was co-hosted by UNESCO, the National Commission of the People’s Republic of China for UNESCO, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage and the Shenzhen Municipal Government. More than 200 guests including curators, researchers and representatives from all around the world attended the forum.

Editor: Jane Chen