The ICOMOS-ICUCH Working Group on Underwater Cultural Heritage and World Heritage

Our Working Group

 
The ICOMOS-ICUCH Working Group on Underwater Cultural Heritage and World Heritage sites was established in 2021 in response to a need to advocate for the inclusion of underwater cultural heritage (UCH) within the World Heritage Convention processes.
 
As the World Heritage Committee and the different World Heritage regional strategies and action plans identified, a more varied and representative World Heritage list is needed. The World Heritage Committee has also identified the need to build up synergies between the UNESCO 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage and the 1972 Convention on the Protection of World Natural and Cultural Heritage in certain cases where the World Heritage sites -of Member States that are signatories of both conventions- contain submerged archaeological remains.

Scope and Main Action Lines

The main areas of focus of the Working Group look into the issues related to UCH within World Heritage processes (i.e., nomination files, State of Conservation Reports, or Periodic Reporting), Management Plans, risk and impact assessments, synergies between the UNESCO 2001 Convention and the World Heritage Convention, as well as working towards building capacities, policy advocacy and awareness raising. 

Identifying the main venues for discussion, governance, regional strategies and capacity building initiatives within the World Heritage Convention and Advisory Bodies, the Working Group works to insert the importance of UCH for the Outstanding Universal Value of the sites inscribed or nominated, as well as draw attention to the main challenges UCH management and protection are facing.   

 

The ICOMOS-ICUCH Working Group focuses on:

Oversight

Monitoring decisions of the World Heritage Committee and ensuring UCH is taken into consideration within the inscription files and management plans.

Assessment

Evaluating, in each region, the World Heritage Sites and World Heritage Tentative Lists that incorporate, or should incorporate, UCH within the inscription files and management plans.

Advising on incorporating submerged archaeological remains into World Heritage inscriptions.

 

Guidance

Providing policy guidelines and heritage practice guidelines to UNESCO, World Heritage Advisory Bodies, in particular ICOMOS, Member States and Heritage practitioners on the incorporation of UCH within World Heritage Processes.

Advocating for ecosystem-based, community-centered approaches that bridge the divide between land and sea, and between culture, people and nature.

Outreach

Raising awareness and education, enhancing the importance of UCH within the sphere of World Heritage sites and their management. 

UCH in World Heritage Sites- Gallery

Port Royal Underwater City, Jamaica. Photo: R. Junco/SAS-INAH-JNHTSAS-INAH-JNHT
Port Royal Underwater City, Jamaica. Photo: R. Junco/SAS-INAH-JNHTSAS-INAH-JNHT
San Juan whaling ship, Red Bay, Canada Photo: Parks Canadá
San Juan whaling ship, Red Bay, Canada Photo: Parks Canadá
Mozambique Island, Mozambique Photo: Arturo Rey
Mozambique Island, Mozambique Photo: Arturo Rey
Archaeological wreck excavation at the 18th-century fortress Suomenlinna. Photo: Jesse Jokinen, 2024.sse Jokinen, 2024.
Archaeological wreck excavation at the 18th-century fortress Suomenlinna. Photo: Jesse Jokinen, 2024.sse Jokinen, 2024.
 

For more information, please contact the Working Group Chair: 

Arturo Rey da Silva (arturo.rey{at}ed.ac.uk)