Iran appointed as deputy to UNESCO’s Underwater Cultural Heritage Convention
Iran has been selected as the Deputy to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, according to reports from the country’s permanent representation at UNESCO in Paris.
The country was unanimously chosen as the Deputy of the Assembly and a member of the Convention’s Bureau for a two-year term, IRNA reported.
Iran officially joined the convention in 1999 with the primary objective of establishing effective international collaboration in the preservation of underwater heritage within international and territorial waters.
In addition to scientific and technical cooperation, member states are required to share advanced technological resources related to underwater heritage protection, subject to specific conditions, with other member states.
Under the purview of UNESCO’s definition, “Underwater Cultural Heritage” encompasses all aspects of human existence that possess cultural, historical, or archaeological significance and have been submerged, either partially or entirely, for a minimum of one hundred years. This includes sites, structures, buildings, human artifacts, human remains, as well as their corresponding archaeological and natural contexts. Moreover, it comprises ships, aircraft, and other vehicles, along with their cargoes and associated contents, and their relevant archaeological and natural contexts. Prehistoric objects also fall within the scope of this definition.
This recent appointment highlights Iran’s commitment to the preservation and safeguarding of underwater cultural heritage, as well as its active engagement within the international community to protect and promote shared historical legacy.