Cultural heritage. (Peace Watch).

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced plans to coordinate an international effort aimed at safeguarding Afghanistan's cultural heritage. It also stated that several Governments and non-governmental organizations had declared plans to finance the initiative for Afghanistan, which suffered extensive cultural damage during the more than two decades of war and violence.

Over $7 million have been promised for restoration work on the Museum of Kabul, where only 30 per cent of the collection survived wartime looting and destruction by the Taliban. Under the plan, discussed by donors during a meeting in Kabul on 27 May, numerous archaeological sites will also receive emergency assistance, according to UNESCO.

Meanwhile, the International Civil Aviation Organization and the Afghan authorities signed an agreement for the rebuilding of Kabul airport, which paves the way for ICAO to hire and train personnel, as well as purchase airport and air traffic control equipment and facilities.