Dr. Mehrdad Rakhshandeh, Executive Director of the ECO Cultural Institute, in an analytical note, examined the vital role of cultural heritage in regional convergence and explained the irreparable consequences of the destruction of antiquities following imposed wars on the civilizational body of ECO member countries.
Cultural heritage, historical sites and antiquities, as one of the most fundamental identity-building elements and symbolic capitals of any society, play a pivotal role in developing relations between countries. Among the member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), which share deep historical and cultural commonalities in their heritage, this legacy can serve as a powerful tool for strengthening regional convergence, sustainable tourism development, and the expansion of cultural diplomacy. In the current era, where global and regional interactions have become more complex than in the past, cultural heritage has not merely preserved its cultural value but has become a decisive factor in economic development, increasing international interactions, and strengthening the soft power of nations. However, the American-Zionist war against Iran has inflicted significant damage on this precious capital and poses a serious threat to the potential capacities for regional cooperation.
Dimensions of Cultural Heritage and Its Position in Development
Cultural heritage can be divided into two main categories: tangible heritage, which includes buildings, antiquities, and historical sites; and intangible heritage, which encompasses customs, languages, and traditions. In development literature, cultural heritage is recognized as a type of cultural capital and soft power that is capable of helping to strengthen collective identity, providing the groundwork for sustainable tourism development, and being used as an efficient tool in cultural diplomacy within international relations.
The Key Role of Cultural Heritage in Developing Relations Among ECO Member Countries
Civilizational commonalities in the ECO region, rooted in the rich history of the Silk Road, have led to the formation of a shared cultural identity among these countries. Antiquities and historical sites as objective and tangible symbols of these commonalities, have high potential to become a powerful factor toward regional convergence. Furthermore, cultural heritage is one of the most important attractions for drawing tourists, and ECO member countries possess significant capacities in this field. The development of cultural tourism not only helps increase income and create employment but also increases interactions and travel between countries. On the other hand, holding cultural exhibitions, joint archaeological collaborations, and cultural exchanges are all tools that strengthen bilateral and multilateral relations between countries through the capacities of cultural heritage.
The Destructive Impact of War on Cultural Heritage and Its Consequences
Unfortunately, the American-Zionist war against Iran has caused extensive damage to infrastructure and cultural heritage. Numerous reports indicate that dozens of valuable historical monuments in various cities are at risk of destruction or serious damage. These losses include damage to historical buildings due to airstrikes, the destruction of parts of world-registered sites, and indirect destructive effects such as erosion caused by the suspension of conservation projects and chemical damage from war pollutants on the structure of historical artifacts.
Cultural, Economic, and Political Consequences of the Destruction of Cultural Heritage
The destruction of cultural heritage in crisis conditions is beyond mere physical damage; it is a clear manifestation of cultural cleansing—a purposeful strategy aimed at erasing collective memory, severing the bond of generations with historical roots, and ultimately emptying a nation of its independent