Ambassador Hmway Hmway Khyne Meets ICCROM Director-General to Enhance Cultural Heritage Response and Collaboration in the Aftermath of the Devastating Earthquake in Myanmar

Ambassador Hmway Hmway Khyne met with Ms. Aruna Francesca Maria Gujral, Director-General of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), on 30 April 2025 at ICCROM Headquarters in Rome.
This meeting was held in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28th March 2025, which caused significant damage to cultural and religious heritage sites across various regions. As a long-standing partner in cultural heritage preservation, ICCROM plays a critical role in advancing conservation, risk preparedness, and post-disaster recovery efforts around the world.
Myanmar and ICCROM share a history of cooperation, particularly following the 2016 earthquake in Bagan, where ICCROM provided technical assistance, damage assessments, and in-crisis training for heritage professionals and communities.
During the meeting, Ambassador Hmway Hmway Khyne expressed appreciation for ICCROM’s continued support and its history of collaboration with Myanmar, particularly in the areas of cultural documentation, capacity building, and technical assistance. She highlighted the urgent need for expert support following the recent earthquake, which had severely impacted historical monuments and heritage structures, many of which form the core of Myanmar’s national identity and cultural continuity.
Looking forward, both parties discussed practical avenues for enhanced cooperation in response to this disaster. Those included technical assessments of damaged sites, structural stabilization efforts, disaster risk management training, digital documentation, and long-term strategies for sustainable restoration. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of community engagement and knowledge-sharing to ensure resilience and inclusive recovery.
Director-General Gujral expressed ICCROM’s heartfelt solidarity with Myanmar and reiterated the organization’s commitment to working closely with the Government of Myanmar. She affirmed that ICCROM stands ready to provide technical guidance and coordinate with local and international partners to support Myanmar’s heritage sector through this critical recovery phase and beyond.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to preserving Myanmar’s unique cultural heritage and laid the foundation for future collaboration aimed at protecting heritage sites from current and future risks. Through this strengthened partnership, Myanmar and ICCROM will work together to ensure that the country’s invaluable cultural heritage continues to be a source of pride and identity for generations to come. This engagement reflects Myanmar’s commitment to international cooperation in the protection of cultural heritage and affirms the valuable role of ICCROM as a trusted technical partner in times of crisis.