On 16 and 17 July 2026, AEA Consulting’s Managing Principal, Sherif El-Itriby, delivered training on risk management and emergency preparedness for museum collections in Dong Hoi, Quang Tri Province, Viet Nam.

The workshop brought together more than 140 museum professionals and cultural heritage experts from across the country. It was jointly organised by the Department of Cultural Heritage at Viet Nam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the UNESCO Office in Viet Nam, with support from the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund.

Invited to participate as a lecturer, Sherif delivered two practical sessions examining how museums can anticipate, prepare for and respond to the growing risks presented by natural hazards, climate-related events and other emergencies.

The first session focused on identifying the challenges facing museum collections and cultural heritage in the context of climate change and disasters. Participants considered risks to collections, buildings, exhibition spaces and museum operations, and explored how these assessments can inform practical prevention and mitigation measures.

The second session addressed the development of emergency preparedness and response plans for museums and heritage sites, including the rescue, salvage and recovery of collections following a disaster.

The wider programme combined lectures, case studies, group discussions and presentations from museum and heritage professionals. It concluded with a field visit examining risk management and heritage protection at Phong Nha Cave within Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

AEA’s contribution reflects our wider commitment to helping cultural institutions strengthen their organisational resilience, protect cultural assets and plan for long-term sustainability in an increasingly uncertain environment.