During the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee, held at UNESCO Headquarters, the Regional World Heritage Institute in Zacatecas (RWHIZ) held a series of meetings and discussions with key World Heritage stakeholders, as well as with delegations from countries in the Mexican, Central American, and Caribbean subregion.

 

On July 9, the IRPMZ met with various delegations from the subregion, particularly those from Panama and the Dominican Republic. The meeting agreed to strengthen relationships and collaboration on specific topics such as underwater heritage, the use of digital technologies for recording cultural heritage, management of cultural routes and itineraries, illicit trafficking of cultural property, and impact assessment in World Heritage contexts, among others. The meeting also agreed on inter-institutional collaboration schemes for various subregional activities to be carried out during the first half of 2026.

Likewise, on July 10, a meeting was held with authorities from the Spanish Ministry of Culture and the Category 2 Center located in that country. During this meeting, prospects for collaboration for 2026 were discussed. Among the discussions were the completion of the Spanish translation of the Guidance and Toolkit for Impact Assessments in a World Heritage Context and collaboration on training courses for its implementation in Mexico and Spain.

On July 11, a working session was held at the offices of the Head of the Latin America and the Caribbean Unit of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. The meeting was attended by Mauro Rosi, Head of the Unit; Rochelle Roca-Hachem, Program Specialist from the same Unit; and Carlos Augusto Torres Pérez, Director of the RWHIZ. At the meeting, the Institute presented the list of activities planned for the second half of 2025, as well as a preview of the activities proposed for 2026, including the organization of a Subregional Meeting of World Heritage Focal Points in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean to assess progress in implementing the LAC Action Plan (2023–2029).

Finally, on July 15, a meeting was held with Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre. During this meeting, the Institute's activities were presented in an overview. A copy of the reports submitted to the Committee, corresponding to the 2024 report and the 9th Coordination Meeting of Category 2 Centres held in Zacatecas, Mexico, was presented. A copy of the book "Zacatecas, un sitio con Valor Universal Excepcional" (Zacatecas, a Place of Outstanding Universal Value), published by the Institute itself, was also presented. 

The results obtained undoubtedly contribute to the consolidation of the Institute through the fulfillment of its functions and objectives, and position Zacatecas on the international heritage agenda, consolidating its image as a benchmark in cultural diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, and sustainable cultural tourism.