Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni outlined Greece’s priorities for its upcoming chairmanship of the Ancient Civilizations Forum (ACF) in Athens during separate meetings with the ambassadors of Peru and the United Arab Emirates.
The discussions underscored Greece’s cultural diplomacy agenda, focusing on heritage protection, sustainable development, and the expansion of international cooperation.
Greece to host the 2025 Forum
Greece will host the 2025 Ancient Civilizations Forum, following a decision announced at the 8th Ministerial Conference of the event in Yerevan, Armenia.
The Forum was originally launched in Athens in April 2017 as a joint initiative of Greece, China, Bolivia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Italy, and Peru, with Mexico participating as an observer.
The ACF provides a platform for countries with ancient cultural traditions to exchange best practices, promote intercultural dialogue, and address common challenges such as heritage protection and cultural tourism.
Greece aims to strengthen cultural cooperation with Peru
During her meeting with Peruvian Ambassador Arturo Javier Arciniega Calderon, Mendoni discussed new opportunities for bilateral cultural cooperation. The dialogue centered on shared priorities, including the safeguarding of cultural heritage, the significance of cultural tourism for both economies, and the need to address cross-border challenges such as climate change and the illicit trafficking of antiquities.
These are in alignment with Greece’s presidency of the ACF, with a focus on sustainable development, heritage protection, and community engagement.
Ambassador Arciniega reaffirmed Peru’s continued support for Greece’s demand for the reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures at the Acropolis Museum. He also confirmed Peru’s strong participation in the October Experts’ Meeting and the December Ministerial Session of the Forum. Proposing an update to the bilateral Cultural Agreement, he welcomed Mendoni’s initiative to sign targeted agreements on combating antiquities smuggling and enhancing cultural exchanges.
Recent cooperation between the two Ministries of Culture has involved knowledge-sharing sessions on heritage protection. Arciniega further highlighted museum partnerships, including upcoming events at the Archaeological Museum of Ancient Corinth, the Byzantine and Christian Museum, and the Numismatic Museum, which will host an exhibition of Peruvian coins in December. Both sides expressed interest in organizing a joint exhibition featuring antiquities from both countries.
Expanding cultural partnerships with the UAE
In a separate meeting, Mendoni welcomed UAE Ambassador Dr. Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, who shared an official letter of gratitude from his Emirati counterpart for Greece’s decisive support in securing UNESCO World Heritage status for the Faya Paleontological Landscape of Sharjah in July. Mendoni, in turn, thanked the UAE for backing Greece’s successful bid to inscribe the Minoan Palaces on the World Heritage List.
The meeting also explored cultural exchange initiatives, including the organization of Greek antiquities exhibitions in the UAE and reciprocal Emirati showcases in Athens.
Al Dhaheri highlighted the forthcoming opening of the Zayed National Museum in December as a major opportunity for collaboration and invited Mendoni to visit the UAE to reinforce bilateral cultural ties. Additionally, the UAE underlined Greece’s role as the guest of honor at this year’s Sharjah International Book Fair, one of the largest literary events in the Arab world, scheduled for November.
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