The International Conference on “Restoration Methodology and Philosophy of Conservation of Wooden Structures” was co-organised by the Cultural Heritage Protection Cooperation Office, Asia-Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU Nara) and World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO (WHITRAP Shanghai). The scope of the conference was to look into the developments in conservation policies particularly concerning wooden structures over the two decades since the Nara Conference on Authenticity in 1994. It took place in Nara from 17 to 19 December 2013.

Nineteen invited experts, and several observers, attended the conference representing WHITRAP, ACCU, and ICCROM, as well as governmental and research institutions in Bhutan, China, Indonesia, India, Japan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. On 18 and 19 December, the programme consisted of a Special Lecture on conservation philosophy, followed by two Keynote Speeches, and seven Reports on Case Studies. On 17 December, guided visits were organized to examine conservation work in Shonenji Temple (Imai cho), and in Hōryū-ji temple.

The participants appreciated the hospitality, sponsorship, and excellent organization by ACCU and WHITRAP. They commended the initiative to have undertaken this collaborative initiative to address conservation philosophy and methodologies, and adopted the conclusions and recommendations.