Mongolia's Erdene Zuu Monastery selected as one of 25 Historic Sites for World Monuments Watch Program
The World Monuments Fund has officially announced its selection of 25 historic and significant sites requiring attention, one of which is Erdene Zuu Monastery in Uvurkhangai aimag, MONTSAME reports.
The nomination of Erdene Zuu Monastery was submitted by the Arts Council of Mongolia in collaboration with the World Monuments Fund (WMF) for the 2025 World Monuments Watch Program. It aims at protecting the Monastery, one of the few remaining Buddhist heritage sites in Mongolia, from climate change impacts and training future heritage specialists. This nomination successfully passed international assessments, reviews, and independent evaluations by heritage experts.
Since 1996, the WMF has been implementing the World Monuments Watch Program every two years in cooperation with international experts. The Program focuses on protecting and preserving historic sites that symbolize the heritage of humanity. To date, the WMF supported over 700 projects in 112 countries, with approximately USD 120 million donated directly to 350 projects under the Watch Program and an additional USD 300 million raised from other sources. Alongside Erdene Zuu Monastery, 24 other sites worldwide were introduced for the 2025 Watch Program.
Over the next two years, the international team of the Watch Program will collaborate with the selected sites, evaluating local needs and developing strategies for support, conservation, and funding. Depending on the amount of funding, the WMF will assist local partners in developing targeted initiatives, including fundraising campaigns, planning, research, education, and physical conservation projects. For over 55 years, WMF has been implementing proven, effective techniques to protect architecture and cultural heritage at over 700 sites in 112 countries with the expertise of highly skilled professionals.
Notably, the Chojin Lama Temple Museum was nominated for the 2020 World Monuments Watch Program. The Museum gained international attention and received technical assistance for restoration through international collaboration for three years.
It is worth noting, UNESCO added Mongolia's Mongol nomad migration, associated practices to intangible cultural heritage list.
