The 2025 Asia-Pacific Young Masters for Heritage Conservation Symposium kicked off in Suzhou on May 24. The event brought together more than 100 participants from 8 countries and regions in the Asia-Pacific region, including heritage experts, young professionals, as well as representatives from World Heritage sites and ancient architecture fields, who had in-depth discussions around the theme of “Protection, Innovation and Sustainable Development”.
The event originated from the World Heritage Young Masters Three-year Initiative jointly launched in 2024 by the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and the Suzhou Centre of the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region (WHITR-AP). The initiative, focusing on innovative practices in cultural heritage conservation in the Asian-Pacific region, aims to build a platform for global young talents to contribute their expertise and knowledge in heritage conservation by, among others, hosting exhibitions of cases on heritage building skills and international exchange activities. Outstanding individuals may be granted the honorary title of “Asia-Pacific World Heritage Young Master”.
The inaugural “2025 Asia-Pacific World Heritage Young Masters” selection was jointly organized by the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, the Suzhou Gardening and Greening Bureau, and the WHITR-AP. A total of 18 cases stood out from the submissions and the winners were invited to participate in the 2025 Asia-Pacific Young Masters for Heritage Conservation Symposium.
