UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION DES NATIONS UNIES POUR L'EDUCATION, LA SCIENCE ET LA CULTURE

What counts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I repeat it tirelessly, is every woman and every man: this is our main heritage, our wealth, our Eldorado. UNESCO has the lofty mission of protecting, of safeguarding the cultural and natural heritage.
This is an important aim, but every time I refer to monuments, to the vestiges which testify to the creative capacity of a nation, of a civilization, of a culture, I insist that for UNESCO the first monument, the greatest monument to be protected is every child, every person.

Even before the conclusion of the Dayton and Paris agreements, UNESCO was present in Sarajevo and Mostar, both pursuing its humanitarian action and assuming its cultural mission. Once peace was restored, we were able to take part, without delay, in the reconstruction work - in particular, to assist the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the rehabilitation of certain sites and the restoration of cultural property.

Mostar, the largest town in Herzegovina and the second one in the whole country, comprises many outstanding dwellings and monuments grouped together in a harmonious urban ensemble that has been shaped over the centuries by geographical setting and economic activity. Up to the contemporary era, the town had conserved its basic character as an important centre of handicraft production and commerce just as the old town had retained its medieval profile.
Thanks to generous funding provided by the Italian Government ( through the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs) and close co-operation between Italian experts and the Municipal Authorities together with experts from Mostar itself, UNESCO has developed a plan for the safeguarding and enhancement of the old city of Mostar. It is our firm hope and belief that this plan will provide the basis for the revival of Mostar, for the benefit of its inhabitants and for all who treasure our common cultural heritage.

Federico Mayor
DIRECTOR - GENERAL OF UNESCO

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