Kurdistan to Restore Sulaimani Museum with Japanese Funding and Expertise

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a landmark move to preserve and enhance the region’s cultural heritage, the Kurdistan Region is set to launch a major restoration project for the Sulaimani Museum, backed by substantial financial and technical support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Kaifi Mustafa, Director General of Antiquities and Heritage in the Kurdistan Region, confirmed to Kurdistan24 on Sunday that preparations for the long-anticipated restoration initiative are nearing completion. 

A coordination meeting was held earlier in the day with JICA officials to finalize the technical and administrative procedures required to begin implementation.

Mustafa noted that the agreement underpinning the project was officially signed between Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japanese Embassy in Baghdad. "We are now in the final logistical phase," he said, affirming that the groundwork has been laid for imminent restoration work.

JICA has committed $750,000 in funding, which will be managed and executed by a specialized Japanese firm. Actual restoration efforts are expected to begin shortly, with the project spanning a three-year period.

The official launch of the project was facilitated through a memorandum of understanding signed in Baghdad on March 25, 2025, between Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, and Japan’s Ambassador to Iraq, Akira Endo.

Mustafa emphasized that the restoration will adhere to rigorous scientific standards, taking into account environmental conditions such as temperature fluctuations, humidity levels, and seasonal variations.

These measures aim to protect the museum’s invaluable artifacts and improve the overall visitor experience, bolstering the museum’s potential as a hub for cultural tourism.

Historical Significance of the Sulaimani Museum

The Sulaimani Museum, also known as the Slemani Museum, was established on July 14, 1961, by Rafiq Fattah Allah in the Aqaray neighborhood. In 1979, it was relocated to its current site.

Today, the museum holds approximately 60,000 archaeological items, positioning it as one of Iraq’s most important cultural and historical institutions.

The upcoming restoration and expansion will not only modernize the museum’s facilities but also strengthen its preservation capacities and elevate its regional and international standing as a center for heritage, research, and tourism.