The College of Law at the University of Baghdad, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, held a scientific seminar on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, entitled “World Heritage Sites in Iraq: Concept and Importance.” The seminar took place in the college’s conference hall and was attended by a number of faculty members, researchers, and students.
The session was chaired by Professor Dr. Hossam Abdul Amir Khalaf, while the lecture was delivered by Mr. Ahmed Hashim Ibrahim, Director of the Studies Department at the Directorate of Archaeological Studies, Research, and Training, affiliated with the State Board of Antiquities and Heritage within the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities.
The seminar addressed several important topics, including a historical overview of world heritage, an explanation of its concept, and an introduction to the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. It also discussed the criteria adopted for inscribing sites on the World Heritage List, the concept of Outstanding Universal Value, and the stages involved in preparing nomination files, in addition to explaining the World Heritage emblem.
Furthermore, the seminar highlighted the most prominent World Heritage Sites in Iraq currently inscribed on the World Heritage List, totaling six sites, and emphasized the importance of this heritage in preserving cultural identity and enhancing civilizational awareness.
The seminar concluded with a call to strengthen heritage culture at the academic level through the preparation of specialized studies and research in this field.
