The embassy of Japan in Afghanistan and UNESCO on Wednesday signed a landmark agreement in Kabul that will pave the way to bring the cultural heritage sites and other archeological remains in the central Bamiyan province off the list of “World Heritage Sites in Danger."

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Japanese Ambassador to Afghanistan Mitsuji Suzuka said that the $3 million project will be invested in protecting Bamiyan’s cultural heritage and in the preservation of some other archeological remains in the province.

“Since 2013, the Japanese government, through UNESCO, has implemented a five phase project to protect and preserve Bamiyan’s ancient heritages which are part of the world heritage,” said Japanese Ambassador to Afghanistan Mitsuji Suzuka.

Meanwhile, the deputy Minister of Information and Culture said that the resources for protecting and preserving Bamiyan’s cultural heritages came about with the assistance of Japan’s financial aid.

“With the assistance of financial cooperation of the Japanese government and UNESCO, a masterplan has been created to protect the cultural heritages in Bamiyan,” said Rasoul Bawari, Deputy Minister of Information and Culture.

At the event, Jordan Naidoo, UNESCO Representative for Afghanistan, said that the financial aid will be spent on creating sustainable management of Bamiyan cultural heritage, tightening the western porch of the Buddha statue, initiating training programs for archeologists and refurnishing wall paintings at the cultural heritage sites.

“Today we focus on the cultural landscape and archeological remains of the Bamiyan valley that represents the artistic and religious developments in the region from the first century to the 13 century. The cultural landscape and the archeological remains of the Bamiyan valley was recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 2003 and simultaneously placed on the list of World Heritage Sites in danger,” said Jordan Naidoo, UNESCO Representative for Afghanistan.

“For the past two decades since its inscription, the government of Japan has generously provided support for the study and preservation of this historical landmark, contributing more than 7 million dollars in five consecutive fundraisers programs to UNESCO,” added Jordan Naidoo.