The sixth anniversary of the inscription of Bam and its cultural landscape was celebrated in Bam on Wednesday 7 July 2010 among the elite and officials of the City. The event was organized by the Governor of Bam, Mr. Hossein Shahyeq. The UN Resident Coordinator in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ms. Consuelo Vidal made a speech in this ceremony.

Recalling the inscription of the City of Bam and its cultural landscape on the World Cultural Heritage list by UNESCO in 2004, Ms. Vidal stressed that Bam represented an exceptional historical testimony to the development of trade in the desert environment of the Central Asian region. She referred to the outstanding role of the ancient city that had developed at the crossroads of important trade routes and served as an outstanding example of intercultural interaction cetruries ago. The UN Resident Coordinator also mentioned the significance of Qanats in this area next to which an outstanding example of a fortified settlement and citadel was made through the interaction of man and nature in a desert environment. She referred to the close cooperation of the UN and the Government of I.R. Iran, following the devastating earth quake in 2003 to preserve the cultural heritage of Bam, and underlined, ‘Today, Bam also counts as a cultural asset to the world’.

Emphasizing that the cultural heritage of the world does no more end at the unique monuments and collections of objects, she further said, ' The traditions and wisdom inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants, such as arts and knowledge make up our cultural heritage as well,' and concluded that the elite and scientists shape the intellectual human capital in each community. She underlined, ‘Their achievements not only help growth and development, but also help expand the intercultural dialogues’.

Ms. Vidal expressed delight over the deserving attention the Government is paying to the elite and added, ‘Iran has traditionally been home to unnumbered scientists, poets, artists and elite and has made great contribution to the scientific enhancement and development of the world during the centuries’. She hoped that this could be a good example for Iran’s young population as to how they can use their valuable intellectual capital for the development and prosperity of their country. Ms. Vidal addressed the elite present in the conference and said "It is through you that Bam lives."

The Secretariate of the Conference presented a hand-made ceramic plaque with the logo of the Conference to Ms. Vidal in her role as UN Resident Coordinator in the Islamic Republic of Iran as a token of appreciation for all the efforts that the UN Country Team have made so far and will continue to carry out in the historical city, and also for Ms. Vidal's 'feeling for Bam'.

Tens of scientists, artists, doctors, university professors who were originally from Bam, families of the elites whose lives were claimed by the deadly earthquake in 2003 and families with more that three elite members were present in this meeting. Mr Kamali, the political deputy of Kerman local government, Mr Ghazanfar-Abadi, MP from Bam and a number of other officials were also present in this event.

The Conference continued its work in the afternoon and on Thursday 8 July through forming working groups and commissions to address the burning development and cultural issues in Bam through exchanging ideas among the elite of Bam, the local officials and international organiszations.