Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage

States_Parties_of_the_UNESCO_2001_Convention_on_the_Protection_of_the_Underwater_Cultural_Heritage

Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage

Drafted	2 November 2001
Effective	2 January 2009

The Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage is an international treaty adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 2 November 2001. The convention aims to protect "all traces of human existence having a cultural, historical or archaeological character" that have been partially or totally submerged, periodically or continuously, for at least 100 years.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the convention are to:

• Ensure and strengthen the protection of underwater cultural heritage.
• Promote international cooperation and information sharing.
• Provide guidelines for the responsible management and preservation of underwater cultural heritage.
• Prevent the illicit trafficking and commercial exploitation of underwater cultural heritage.

Key Provisions

The convention outlines several key provisions, including:

• The establishment of a legal framework for the protection of underwater cultural heritage.
• The requirement for states to take measures to prevent the looting and destruction of underwater cultural heritage.
• The promotion of public awareness and education regarding the importance of underwater cultural heritage.
• The encouragement of scientific research and the dissemination of knowledge related to underwater cultural heritage.

Implementation

The convention came into force on 2 January 2009, following its ratification by 20 states. As of 2023, numerous countries have ratified the convention, committing to its principles and guidelines.

Related Pages

• UNESCO
• World Heritage Site
• Cultural heritage
• Archaeology
• Maritime archaeology

See Also

• Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage
• International Council on Monuments and Sites

Categories

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