ALIPH: a foundation for heritage protection

Our cultural heritage is at risk. Conflict, climate change, and disasters are threatening what reflects our identities and tells our collective history. Art and artifacts, historical buildings and archaeological sites, stories and traditions… cultural heritage is part of our common humanity and a compass for our future.

The International alliance for the protection of heritage (ALIPH) is the main global fund dedicated to its protection in conflict, post-conflict, and crisis areas. ALIPH supports the people on the ground who take concrete measures to protect or restore museums, sites and monuments, and intangible heritage in the most challenging contexts. ALIPH is a first responder in times of conflict and crisis, providing quick and flexible support within hours or days to prevent heritage from being lost forever.

Since its creation in Geneva in 2017, ALIPH has supported about 550 projects in 54 countries. The Foundation carries out its mission thanks to the support of its nine member States (United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Morocco, France, China, Luxembourg, Cyprus, and Uzbekistan), its three private members (Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, Getty Trust, and Fondation Gandur pour l’Art), and a dozen other donors. ALIPH is committed to supporting professionals, communities, and their legacies to ensure sustainable development and to build peace.

Valéry Freland, a French diplomat, has been Executive Director of the ALIPH Foundation since 2018. He is responsible for implementing its strategy and management. A law graduate and alumnus of Sciences Po (Paris) and the Ecole Nationale d'Administration, he has held several positions in the central administration of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs or abroad: culture and audiovisual advisor at the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union, cooperation and cultural action advisor at the French Embassy in Tunisia, Consul General of France in Boston. He was also diplomatic advisor to the French Minister of Culture and Communication, Frédéric Mitterrand (2009-2010). He is an Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.