Kazan, a city of cultural diversity and richness. That is where the World Congress of the OWHC took place with 1,000 participants from more than sixty countries. This congress was highlighted by the quality of the cultural events organized by Mayor Ilsour Metshin and his team. Given the success of the Cusco World Congress in 2005, the Getty Conservation Institute was invited once again to develop the general theme, the mayors’ workshop as well as the poster session. The participants enjoyed outstanding presentations given by internationally-known speakers and many exchange sessions were organized. We wish to thank the Getty Foundation for its financial support, UNESCO as well as the Council of Europe. The participation of the World Tourism Organization, ICOMOS, ICCROM and the International Youth Hostel Federation is also noteworthy.

At the General Assembly of the OWHC, various programs were presented, including the strategic development plan, which was adopted by the members.

Members of the Board of Directors for 2007-2009
The mayor of Cuenca, Mr. Marcelo Cabrera Palacios, was elected president of the Board of Directors of the OWHC. In addition, the mayors of Beemster (Mr. Harry Brinkman), Kandy (Mr. L.B. Aluvihare), Kazan (Mr. Ilsur Metshin), Luang Prabang (Mr. Xayasack Keopanya), Lyon (Mr. Gérard Coulomb) and Vienna (Mr. Michael Häupl) were elected vice-presidents. More information >>

The Latin America and Caribbean Region elected a new Regional Secretariat
As provided in the Statutes of the OWHC, the cities of a region must elect the city that will host the Regional Secretariat for the 2007-2009 period. These elections take place during the regional meetings that are held at each world congress; upcoming activities are also discussed during the course of these meetings. The Latin America and Caribbean Region decided to change the seat of its regional secretariat. The city of Olinda in Brazil was designated by the member cities of this region to host the Regional Secretariat of the OWHC. We wish to congratulate the city of Olinda as well as its mayor, Ms. Luciana Santos, for this nomination. We also wish to thank the city of Guanajuato in Mexico for the activities it has organized since 1995 as the seat of the Regional Secretariat for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Quito, host city of the next World Congress of the OWHC in 2009 
The city of Quito was elected unanimously by the member cities that were present in Kazan to host the 2009 World Congress of the OWHC. We congratulate the authorities of Quito and in particular its mayor, Mr. Paco Moncayo Gallegos, for the presentation of their excellent candidacy file. More information about Quito>>