As Afghanistan faces multiple and pressing development challenges,
the need to hear different views on heritage conservation and the technical and ethi-
cal issues surrounding the proposed reconstruction of one or part of the Bamiyan
Buddha statues, is paramount. Its potential benefits in terms of attracting tourism
and development should be weighed with the possible impact on the property’s
integrity, authenticity and Outstanding Universal Value, while also recognizing the
financial realities of such an undertaking.