The International Committee on the Underwater Cultural Heritage will host a high-level roundtable on “Emerging Threats to Underwater Cultural Heritage” at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Conference on Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage (APCONF-MUCH 2026), to be held in Bali, Indonesia, in 2026.

This roundtable will address some of the most pressing and evolving challenges facing UCH today. Topics will include the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and increasingly severe storms; industrial pressures, including offshore renewable energy, seabed mining, and large-scale coastal infrastructure; and geopolitical risks, such as intensified naval activity, military exercises, and the threats posed by potentially polluting wrecks and unexploded ordnance.

APCONF-MUCH is one of the most significant gatherings in the Asia-Pacific region for maritime and underwater heritage. Through this roundtable, ICUCH will contribute to shaping a forward-looking agenda that recognises UCH as a vital part of the world’s shared history and a resource at risk from the global challenges of the 21st century.