Meeting in Moscow on the occasion of the International Conference Heritage at Risk − Preservation of 20^th-Century Architecture and World Heritage (April 17−20, 2006) and the International Monuments Day at the invitation and hospitality of the Moscow Government, the Russian Academy for Architecture and Building Sciences, Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography, the Moscow Committee for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, the Moscow Committee on Architecture and Town-planning and many other national institutions to share experience and scientific progress in the field of conservation of 20^th-Century Heritage buildings and urban ensembles,

 

Considering the positive context offered by recent research and practice worldwide and by the development of international cooperation through non-governmental organizations as well as professional and academic networks,

 

Considering the adhesion of the Russian Federation  to the 1972 World Heritage Convention and, as such, its aims for the highest standards of excellence to be applied in the identification, conservation, protection and management of cultural heritage sites in Russia, particularly but not exclusively those inscribed on the World Heritage List,

 

Recognizing the outstanding contribution of the Russian Avant-garde Movement in the history of architecture worldwide and the urgency of preserving this heritage for the benefit of current and future generations internationally,

 

Acknowledging the work of organizations and institutions to safeguard, repair and preserve the rich heritage of Moscow in its integrity and authenticity, in particular those sites associated with the 20^th Century,

 

Concerned with the current state of advanced decay, and the level and diversity of threats to many of those world famous properties and monuments,

 

And reminding all authorities that conservation, as demonstrated by research and experience around the world, is a long term economic and cultural investment,

 

the participants of the international conference:

 

·        Appeal to the relevant national and professional organizations to act with urgency to safeguard, protect and prevent from damage 20^th-Century properties worthy of listing as monuments as well as monuments and sites that are already included in local and national registers. Necessary actions include systematic historical and architectural investigations, publications, public awareness and instructive work on the meaning and cultural significance of the 20^th-Century Heritage. It is important to improve collecting, keeping and treatment of documents on the 20^th-Century monuments, as well as survey and assessment, protective planning measures and innovative conservation approaches, to secure the future of individual structures, groups of buildings and urban design ensembles of the 20^th-Century Heritage. Investigations on a specific character of adaptive reuse of the 20^th-Century buildings and sites are of extreme importance. 

 

·        Call on the State Authorities for the strict application of the Laws of Protection of the Cultural and Natural Heritage, in particular with regard to providing funding for 20^th-Century Heritage of outstanding universal value in future preservation programs including research, conservation and restoration; insisting on strict application of internationally approved scientific principles reflected in documents such as numerous International Charters for conservation and restoration and the World Heritage Convention.  

 

·        Recognizing the success of World Heritage in general and as stimulator of cultural tourism, the participants call for supporting sustainable use of our heritage for social and economic benefits of local, national and international communities. ICOMOS and DO.CO.MO.MO. identified the fact that 20^th-Century architecture is very much underrepresented in the World Heritage List. The nomination of potential 20^th-Century World Heritage properties is to be supported and encouraged worldwide. 

 

·        Express their will to cooperate with the authorities of the City of Moscow and the Russian Federation in order to achieve the goals of safeguarding and conserving this unique 20^th-Century Heritage according to the highest standards and internationally accepted principles. 

·        Recommend the Russian authorities to secure Federal heritage listing of the most valuable 20^th-Century monuments. It is expedient to include into the national World Heritage Tentative List the outstanding structures of the Russian 20^th-Century architecture such as Narkomfin House by M. Ginzburg, Rusakov and Kauchuk Clubs and own House by K. Melnikov, Commune House by I. Nikolaev, Radio Tower by V. Shukhov, Mayakovskaya metro station by A. Dushkin.

 

·        Establishing a fact that the significant part of the 20^th-Century Architectural Heritage is situated on the territory of the Commonwealth of the Independent States (CIS), appeal to architects and the State authorities of these countries to work out a programme of international cooperation in the field of historical and architectural investigations, protection and conservation of the 20^th-Century Heritage, as well as to launch CIS transnational projects aimed at including of the outstanding Avant-garde monuments into the World Heritage List.