Greeting of the OWHC President Mr. Hugo Marcelo Cabrera Palacios

Dear participants in the 9th World Congress of the OWHC,

The Organization of World Heritage Cities has, during its short life, made a significant contribution toward advertizing and making citizens aware of the importance for a city to preserve its heritage. 

The living heritage that we have inherited, namely those among us who live in one of the world heritage cities, is based on the protection and the management of cultural heritage, while having as a first goal the welfare of the local inhabitants and the tourists who visit us. The cultural heritage of our cities is often seen as a major asset for the economic development, which must be done taking into account social values, which impart a sense of identity, spiritual values, making it possible to better understand, as well as historic values, which improve the links with the past. These are the characteristics that result in the fact that our network of 215 world heritage cities is unique in the sense that these cities share the same values throughout the world. 

We, as citizens of the privileged cities inscribed on UNESCO’s world heritage list, have a commitment with the 125 million people who live in these cities, as from the moment we obtained this distinction of cultural heritage of mankind, we assumed the transboundary responsibilities and the responsibilities outside the boundaries of our own cities and countries, as these responsibilities apply to all of humanity. 

This is why the OWHC proposes to us every day new challenges and new proposals concerning the conservation and the preservation of the heritage in our city for the 9th World Congress of the OWHC – Kazan 2007. Having as a theme “Heritage and Economy”, this congress will be the ideal opportunity to discuss and find innovative solutions in the field of world heritage. 

Dear participants, I am convinced that these very important aspects relating to heritage will be dealt with and discussed at our next congress in June. Consequently, I am taking this opportunity, once again, to extend my warmest invitation to attend this meeting, which will be a unique and wonderful experience, that is, the Kazan 2007 World Congress.