06/08/2026
𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚
As UNESCO and Japan celebrate 75 years of partnership, we recognize more than two decades of collaboration in Afghanistan to safeguard cultural heritage, strengthen communities and build resilience.
From preserving Afghanistan's tangible and intangible cultural heritage to supporting its transmission to future generations, Japan has been a steadfast partner in UNESCO's work across the country.
A lasting legacy of this partnership is the rehabilitation of 16 traditional Karez water management networks in 2025-2026. With the support of Japan, UNESCO rehabilitated 36.89 kilometres of these centuries-old systems, directly benefiting 1,731 households while creating employment and livelihood opportunities for local communities.
Karez are more than historic water channels; they are living heritage, reflecting generations of knowledge, craftsmanship and sustainable water management. Their rehabilitation demonstrates how investing in culture can also improve livelihoods and strengthen communities.
Together, UNESCO and Japan show that safeguarding heritage is not only about protecting the past; it is also about investing in a more resilient future.
