ACHA General Assembly in Chongqing Advances Cultural Heritage Protection

CHONGQING, China, Nov. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from iChongqing.

On November 27th, the Second General Assembly and Third Council Meeting of the Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia (ACHA) convened in Chongqing, bringing together representatives from 33 countries and international organizations to discuss the future of cultural heritage conservation across Asia.

ACHA, initiated by China, is the first and currently the only intergovernmental organization in the field of cultural heritage within the Asian region. With 24 member states, partner states, and observers, its influence now extends to Africa, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania. Under its framework, cooperation in talent development, conservation and restoration, academic exchange, exhibitions, and joint archaeological research has continued to flourish.

This year's Assembly marks a new milestone in the Alliance's development. During the meeting, China and ACHA signed the Host Country Agreement, granting the Alliance legal status and diplomatic privileges required to operate independently in China. 

China and Egypt also signed a Joint Statement on the Asian Initiative for Cultural Heritage Conservation and an agreement to deepen cooperation in the nomination, management, and protection of World Cultural Heritage.

The Assembly announced the establishment of the ACHA Austronesian and Maritime Civilization Committee and the ACHA Scientific and Technological Committee. It also released 15 ACHA Fund-supported projects for 2024–2025 involving countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, and the United Arab Emirates, along with the Alliance's Vision and Mission and the ACHA Chongqing Consensus.

Several guests praised the Alliance for ACHA for its growing influence. They emphasized that despite its young age, the alliance has become a vital platform for dialogue, cooperation, and expertise exchange in heritage preservation. The collaboration is seen as a significant milestone, paving the way for deeper technical and professional cooperation among member states in the modern cultural heritage sector.

More than 20 countries endorsed the Chongqing Consensus, recognizing ACHA as a vital regional platform that brings together the knowledge and strengths of participating nations to promote a more harmonious, prosperous, and sustainable Asian community of shared future. Delegates agreed that deepening regional cooperation and protecting Asia's cultural heritage will contribute meaningfully to cultural exchange and mutual learning among civilizations.

The meeting also featured a vibrant display of intangible cultural heritage, including Jingdezhen ceramics, Shu embroidery, Three Gorges embroidery, and Youzhou Miao embroidery. 

For more, please visit: https://www.ichongqing.info/

SOURCE iChongqing