Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein stressed, today, Wednesday, the importance of protecting the world's cultural heritage from illegal trafficking and returning artifacts to their countries of origin. A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: "Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein participated in the ministerial meeting of the Forum of Ancient Civilizations, held today, Wednesday, on the sidelines of the high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly in its seventy-ninth session in New York City." During his speech at the meeting, Fuad Hussein stressed the pivotal role that ancient civilizations can play in inspiring current generations to face the challenges of the present and resolve current crises, in addition to maintaining the stability of the multilateral international community. The Minister of Foreign Affairs also stressed, according to the statement, the importance of protecting the world's cultural heritage from illegal trafficking and returning artifacts to their countries of origin. It is noteworthy that the Forum of Ancient Civilizations includes in its membership Iraq, Armenia, Bolivia, China, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Mexico and Peru. Source: National Iraqi News Agency