To the Permanent Delegations and
Observers to UNESCO
6 April 2023
The Assistant Director-General
for Priority Africa and External Relations
Ref: CLT/CCE/CEM/UCH/23/2134
Subject: Invitation to the statutory meetings of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of
the Underwater Cultural Heritage
Sir/Madam,
On behalf of the Director-General, I am pleased to invite your government to attend the
following meetings, which will be organized in presential with online access at UNESCO
Headquarters in Paris, in the framework of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the
Underwater Cultural Heritage:
1) “Exchange Day” on major current issues concerning underwater cultural heritage
(12 June 2023, Room XI, Fontenoy Building, from 10 am to 1 pm and 2.30 pm to 5.30
pm);
2) Ninth session of the Meeting of States Parties to the 2001 Convention (from 13 to
14 June 2023, Room XI, Fontenoy Building, from 10 am to 1 pm and 2.30 pm to 5.30
pm);
3) Fourteenth meeting of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body (STAB) (15
June 2023 Room XI, Fontenoy Building, from 10 am to 1 pm and 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm).
Please also note that following the above, a meeting of the UNITWIN Network for Underwater
Archaeology and a meeting of the accredited NGOs will take place on 16 June 2023 in room
VII and VIII bis, respectively (exact time, agenda and rooms will be communicated by the
applicable coordinators).
The Meeting of States Parties will elect 8 new members to the STAB. States Parties to the
Convention are asked to send to the Secretariat the names of their nominated candidate,
accompanied by the curriculum vitae of the expert in English or French, preferably by 15 May
2023. In accordance with Rule 24.3 of the Rules of Procedure of the Meeting of States Parties,
no candidatures will be accepted after the deadline of 7 days prior to the opening of the meeting.
Proposed experts should have recognized scientific and professional qualifications at the
national and/or international level, in conformity with the objectives of the 2001 Convention.
The members of the Advisory Body shall be eligible for immediate re-election only for a second
term in accordance with Rule 23.3 of the Rules of Procedure, counting from the change of the
Rules of Procedures in the 7th Meeting of States Parties in 2021 with no retroactive effect.
Please also note that in accordance with Chapter 3, Item M of the Operational Guidelines, you
are invited to submit national, regional or international programmes, projects and activities that
have made a special and outstanding effort to make a submerged site accessible to the public
for designation by the Meeting of States Parties as "Example of Best Practice".
./…
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
7, Place de Fontenoy 75352 Paris 07 SP France
T : +33 (0)1 45 68 15 05 - M: +33 (0)6 xx.xx xx.xx
Should your State already have succeeded in obtaining the designation of an Example of Best
Practice, please be reminded that these are designated for a period of 4 years only. The
designation may be renewed only upon the submission and evaluation of an updated file.
Please also be informed that in accordance with Rule 20.1 of the Rules of Procedures of the
Meetings of States Parties, the representatives of States Parties to the Convention have the
right to vote in the Meeting. States not party to the Convention and Permanent Observer
missions to UNESCO may, however, participate as observers without the right to vote, and
may take the floor subject to the consent of the Chairperson. The meeting of the STAB may be
attended by representatives of all Member States as observers.
Simultaneous interpretation and working documents will be provided in the six official
languages of UNESCO during the Meeting of States Parties and in French and English during
the Exchange Day and the STAB meeting. Working documents as well as general information
concerning the sessions will be made available online.
I should be grateful if you would confirm your representative(s)'s participation at the
meetings by registering at the following link available on the Convention's website:
https://en.unesco.org/feedback/registration-form-formulaire-denregistrement-2001, as
soon as possible and no later than on 15 May 2023.
For any further information, the Secretariat of the 2001 Convention is at your disposal, at the
following email address:
[email protected].
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued interest and support for the
implementation of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.
Please accept, Sir/Madam, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Firmin Edouard Matoko
Enc.
cc: National Commissions for UNESCO
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