Since its constitution in 1980, the International Association to Save Tyre (AIST) conducts a world-wide information campaign in order to draw the attention of the high authorities and the public opinion to the considerable stake which Tyre's safeguard constitutes to humanity. The AIST created Tyre Foundation to mobilize sponsors and provide financial support its vast program of preservation and development.
Based on article 2 of the articles of the International Association to Save Tyre, a work program formed of 23 points defining the national and international activities was established and approved by the constituent assembly of the AIST in order to set out all measures meant for the safeguard of Tyre and create a national and international interest in the cultural, historical and archaeological values of Tyre.
The achievements are considerable: The United Nations Council, UNESCO, the European Parliament, the U.S. Senate, the House of Lords, the World Federation of Twinned Cities and the Arab League have all adopted decisions and resolutions favoring Tyre and have addressed many calls for the protection of this millenary city.
Tyre is inscribed since November 1984 on World Heritage List.
AIST established several National Committees with the support of Lebanese Ambassadors in the following capitals: Paris, Brussels, Washington, London, Bonn, Rome, Tunisia, Vienna, Geneva, Madrid and Beirut.
Conferences, given by world-renowned experts specialized in the various civilizations which successively existed in Tyre, have emphasized the importance of this old city and the necessity to preserve these vestiges of the past.
For 22 years, our unswerving and persistent work allowed us to register to our credit many achievements. Tyre enjoys at present a special attention from the world.
But the most important achievements of these years of efforts was without doubt, the resolution of the General Conference of UNESCO, on November 1983, "authorizing the Director General to undertake the technical studies needed in order to draw up a detailed plan of action concerning the protection, conservation, restoration and development of the heritage of Tyre and to define procedures for its promotion in the form of an International Campaign" on the lines of those previously launched in favor of Venice and Abu Simbel.
The official launching of the International Campaign in favor of Tyre was on 3rd of March 1998.
Consequently, born of an absolute necessity, the efforts of the AIST should continue in order to allow in the future this city, which is a witness of men and their greatness, to concern itself with the noblest of enterprises: the restoration of this mutilated jewels, the excavation of its buried wealth.
Tyre will be able tomorrow to live again in the traditional peaceful light of Lebanon.