The 2024 International Youth Forum (IYF) on Creativity and Heritage along the Silk Roads opened on Sept. 23 in Changsha, Hunan Province.

In a video address, Chen Jie, Vice Minister of Education and Chair of the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, emphasized President Xi Jinping’s strong commitment to the protection, preservation, and sustainable use of the world’s cultural and natural heritage. Chen also stressed the need for international cooperation in these efforts and expressed hope that young people would take practical steps to safeguard humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, also addressed the event.

The forum, themed “Reimagining Our Heritage: Stories of Resilience and Change,” brought together 60 young participants from 53 countries to discuss creative solutions for heritage protection. The event was jointly organized by the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO, UNESCO, and the governments of Changsha and Nanjing.