[PRESSWIRE] PARIS — October 15, 2025 — KAR Group today announced a $10 million contribution to a new four-year UNESCO program to conserve and reactivate the Erbil Citadel in Iraq—one of the world’s longest-inhabited urban settlements. The agreement was signed at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris by Ernesto Ottone, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, and Baz Raouf Kareem (Sheikh Baz), CEO of KAR Group, in the presence of UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.
Under UNESCO’s “Reviving the World Heritage Site of Erbil Citadel” program, the initiative will restore key heritage structures, improve public access and visitor flow, and activate the site through cultural venues and small businesses. It will also train artisans and heritage technicians, building local capacity for long-term stewardship and job creation.
Sheikh Baz Raouf Kareem, CEO of KAR Group, said at the ceremony:
“For us at KAR, this partnership is more than a project — it is a responsibility. A responsibility to our heritage, to our people, and to future generations. Our vision is to see the Citadel not just as a monument of the past, but as a hub for education, dialogue, and cultural exchange — a space where history inspires the future.”
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay welcomed the partnership, noting the program strengthens cooperation with the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in preserving cultural heritage and reaffirming the Citadel’s role in contemporary cultural, social, and economic life.
The contribution is being made via KAR New Ventures Limited, part of KAR Group, and through the Sheikh Baz Foundation, the Group’s charitable arm. KAR’s engagement with the Citadel predates this agreement: in 2019, the company signed an MoU with the Erbil Governorate and opened a dedicated project account with an initial $1.166 million deposit. Through the Sheikh Baz Foundation, KAR has since provided more than $2.5 million in financial and technical support to the site. Work to date—coordinated with the High Commission for Erbil Citadel Revitalization—has included restoring the Grand Mosque and its minaret, stabilizing core structures, rehabilitating civil and decorative elements, modernizing concealed electrical and sanitation networks, and sensitive paving and infrastructure upgrades.
Why it matters
- Cultural impact: Safeguards a rare historic urban fabric and reactivates it for contemporary culture and education.
- Economic & social value: Creates skills and jobs in conservation, tourism, and creative industries; strengthens local businesses.
- Capacity building: Trains artisans and technicians and builds local heritage management expertise for sustainable upkeep.
About KAR Group
KAR Group is an Iraq-based energy and infrastructure company headquartered in Erbil, operating across engineering, procurement, construction, logistics, and industrial services. The Group partners with public institutions and international organizations on projects that advance reliable infrastructure, human development, and cultural heritage.
Media Contact
stivan.shany@kar-k.com
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