HANGZHOU, China – April 23, 2025 – The Third UNESCO International High-Level Forum for Museums officially opened today in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. The event brought together leading cultural figures and museum professionals from around the world.
Ernesto Ottone, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, delivered opening remarks alongside Gao Zheng, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of China and Director of the National Museum of China, and Zhao Cheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee and Minister of Publicity. Yao Gaoyuan, Deputy Party Secretary and Mayor of Hangzhou, was also in attendance.
This year’s forum features keynote speeches, thematic discussions, interactive sessions, and site visits. Representatives from notable institutions such as the Château de Chantilly (France), the National Museum of Colombia, museums in Singapore and Jordan, the Palace Museum in Beijing, and the China National Arts and Crafts Museum (which also houses the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum) are among the international participants.
Discussions at the forum centre on topics including the evolving and transformative roles of museums, the application of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, and the role of museums as platforms for education and lifelong learning. Additional sessions address issues such as virtual museums for stolen artifacts, cutting-edge technology showcases, and the contemporary challenges and innovations facing museums today.
The forum will run through April 25 and has drawn more than 190 guests from over 60 countries and regions, including museum directors, experts, and representatives from relevant institutions. A final report outlining the forum’s outcomes will be submitted to the World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, scheduled for September 2025 in Spain. ( Canada 24h News: Tory Tang)
