Article

UNESCO and Italy confirm their strong partnership in preserving Petra outstanding heritage

4 October 2019

Last update:20 April 2023

In partnership with Italy, UNESCO is enhancing the capacities of the national and local authorities in preserving the World Heritage site of Petra on natural hazard risk mitigation and heritage conservation.

On October 4, a delegation from Italy was accompanied by Ms. Costanza Farina, UNESCO Representative to Jordan, and Ms. Giorgia Cesaro, UNESCO Project Officer, on a tour of the UNESCO Italian-funded projects at the World Heritage Site of Petra.

H.E Giorgio Marrapodi, Director General for Development Cooperation (MAECI), Mr. Luca Maestripieri, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and Mr. Michele Morana, Director of AICS Amman took part in the visit and expressed appreciation for the work carried out so far.

Two key projects focused on addressing natural hazard risk mitigation and heritage conservation are currently being implemented at the site.

Both initiatives seek to provide support to the surrounding communities and concerned authorities. The present visit confirms the strategic partnership and strong interest enjoyed with Italy in the preservation of Petra's outstanding heritage.

Since 2011, Italy has been supporting UNESCO initiatives on disaster risk reduction in Petra. More recently, the second initiative more specifically addressing heritage conservation at the site was approved in late 2018 and announced during the April 2019 visit by the President of the Italian Republic to Petra.