ICCROM to hold its 33rd General Assembly in Rome
October 27, 2023, 10:44 am

ICCROM to hold its 33rd General Assembly in Rome

الدورة الثالثة والثلاثون للجمعية العامة لمنظمة إيكروم تعقد في روما

The two-day event brings together delegations of 137 Member States to discuss the strategic directions and work plan of ICCROM

The program will include a Thematic Discussion and announcement of the ICCROM Award winner

October 25th 2023, Rome, Italy - The 33rd session of the ICCROM General Assembly, the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, will be held in Rome, Italy, from 2 to 3 November 2023. The two-day event will focus on the most recent concerns and pressing issues related to the preservation of cultural heritage in Member States. It will be the first in-person General Assembly since before the pandemic.

The ICCROM General Assembly has a long history of more than 60 years. ICCROM was created by UNESCO in 1956 and established in Rome in 1959 with the aim of promoting the conservation and preservation of cultural heritage worldwide. Since then, the General Assembly has convened every two years to assess the progress made, set priorities, and address emerging issues in the field. In addition, the General Assembly serves as a crucial platform for stimulating dialogue, sharing knowledge, discussing challenges, and fostering collaborations to safeguard our shared cultural heritage.

This year, delegations of ICCROM’s 137 Member States will meet to discuss and enhance the Rome-based agency’s strategic directions and work plan, and elect its new governing Council. The event will also be an opportunity to appoint ICCROM’s new Director-General, discuss the financial situation and digital transformation, approve draft amendments submitted by the Council and Member States, and review activities and projects implemented by its various programmes during the period of 2022-2023, as well as the programme of activities and budget for the next two years (2024-2025).

The General Assembly will also discuss relations with the host country, Italy, which has always played a crucial role in supporting the organization's activities, both as a major contributor to its budget and as an active member with long-term institutional scientific partnerships. Relations with the United Arab Emirates, which is a major partner of ICCROM in its efforts to preserve and enhance cultural heritage, will also be reviewed. The close cooperation between ICCROM and the United Arab Emirates has resulted in many initiatives and projects, the most important of which is the establishment of the ICCROM-Sharjah regional office.

A Thematic Discussion on the concept of "Heritage and Migration” will be held as a part of the activities of the General Assembly. The session will explore ways migration changes concepts of heritage and suggest pathways to greater inclusivity regarding heritage. It will also consider how more inclusive approaches to heritage contribute to the well-being of diverse communities, how these approaches change ways of caring for and communicating the value of heritage, and what responses are needed from the conservation sector.

The ICCROM Award Ceremony will be held during the 33rd General Assembly. This award is granted to individuals who have contributed significantly to ICCROM’s development, or who have special merit in the field of conservation, protection and restoration of cultural heritage. The Council members nominate and vote for one winner of the Award in each biennium. By tradition, and following the Council’s decisions, the Award is presented on the occasion of ICCROM’s General Assembly.

Steering Committee for 2025 Award Project Submission for 16th Cycle Begins Iran Our Hand is On The Trigger

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.