The ICOMOS 2024 Annual General Assembly (AGA) will convene in the historic city of Ouro Preto, Brazil from November 10 to 17. ICOMOS Brazil provides essential information regarding the event, including travel guidance, venue details and different accommodation options here.
As the largest gathering of international heritage practitioners, experts, and professionals ever in Latin America, AGA2024 will offer an unparalleled opportunity for networking with national and international colleagues.
AGA2024 in Ouro Preto will feature a diverse program designed to engage and connect participants across various sectors of the heritage field. The event will commence with a meeting of the ICOMOS Bureau, followed by a tour of Ouro Preto for ICOMOS Board members, culminating in an opening ceremony and welcome dinner at the historic Teatro Ouro Preto. The subsequent days will include a series of strategic meetings, such as Regional Group meetings led by Vice-presidents and National Committee Presidents, a gathering of the National Committees with ISC Presidents as observers, and the Scientific Council meeting. Special attention will be given to the Emerging Professionals Working Group (EPWG) meeting, fostering the next generation of heritage professionals. The event will also include the Advisory Committee meeting, the Annual General Assembly, and the ISC meetings, providing ample opportunities for networking, collaboration, and advancing the ICOMOS mission.
The Scientific Symposium will showcase a broad range of papers presented by international experts and emerging professionals. The Symposium at GA2024 will critically examine the Venice Charter within a contemporary context, focusing on five key sub-themes. Keynote speakers, including Laurajane Smith (Australia), George Ubungu (Kenya), Lyu Zhou (China), and Krishna Menon (India), will contribute to a robust discourse on historical contexts, cross-cutting approaches between conventions, and contemporary challenges in heritage conservation.
Additional Travel Information for U.S. Citizens
Reaching Ouro Preto: When looking for airfare to Ouro Preto, the best option is to fly to CNF (Belo Horizonte) and Uber or take a taxi from there to Ouro Preto, which is 2.5 hours away. Buses are also available and take over 3 hours to reach Ouro Preto from Belo Horizonte Central Station. Please note that traveling from Rio de Janeiro airport will result in a longer trip (more details can be found here). When registering for AGA, you will be asked if you are interested in arranging transportation to Ouro Preto. It may be helpful to indicate this preference during the registration process.
Transfer information from CNF Airport to Ouro Preto can be found here, with more information below:
- Shuttle (on demand) from CNF Airport (Belo Horizonte) to Belo Horizonte Central Station (approx. 38 minutes), followed by an hourly bus service to Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais (approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes).
- Car option: The drive from CNF Airport to Ouro Preto takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes. However, the information provided here only estimates the fuel cost and does not include car rental, tolls, or other fees.
Lodging: Consider AirBnB options in addition to recommended hotels.
Passport / Visa Guidance: U.S. citizens do not need a visa for stays in Brazil of up to 90 days, including participation in conferences or professional activities. However, please be sure that your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the intended departure date and has sufficient blank pages for entry stamps.
Please let ICOMOS-USA staff know via email to coo [at] worldheritageusa.org if you plan to attend AGA in Ouro Preto so we can coordinate activities and voting amongst our attendees. Thank you!