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Underwater Cultural Heritage in the Arab States Region Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO Cairo "Underwater Cultural Heritage in the Arab State RegionUnderwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) is defined by UNESCO as “all traces of human existence having a cultural, historical or archaeological character which have been partially or totally under water, periodically or continuously, for at least 100 years such as: i. sites, structures, buildings, artefacts and human remains, together with their archaeological and natural context; ii. vessels, aircraft, other vehicles or any part thereof, their cargo or other contents, together with their archaeological and natural context; and iii. objects of prehistoric character”1.This definition relates primarily to the age and environmental conditions of the deposit, i.e., the remains must have existed fully or partially “underwater” for at least 100 years, regardless of their type, nature, or the culture to which they belong. Once these core elements have been confirmed, the archaeological material can be defined further according to one or more specific criteria: - chronology – the time period the remains date from; - region – the geographical area where the remains were found; - typology – the physical categorisation of the remains, e.g., pottery, animal bone, stone etc.It is important to recognise that while the above criteria will remain constant, the “underwater” nature of the archaeological remains is subject to change, as a result of either human or environmental intervention. For example, many sites where prehistoric activity took place on land, usually close to ancient shorelines, are • 1 - UNESCO. 2001. Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. Paris: Records of the General Conference, 31st ses-sion, Article.Underwater Cultural Heritage in the Arab State Regionnow submerged due to rising sea levels. Similarly, items such as swords, deposited in lakes or rivers as part of past rituals, were made and used on land. These sites and artefacts have therefore come to meet the definition of “Underwater Cultural Heritage”. The opposite process is also possible: a shipwreck, for example, or other material remains lifted from the seabed and placed in a museum would lose its status as UCH. This nuance tells us that UCH is not necessarily a constant scientific term. It relates to the underwater environment in which the material culture is located rather than any inherent archaeological or cultural attribute2. That is not to say that the material culture’s underwater location is not important: on the contrary, the underwater context reveals changes in use, condition and meaning over time. The physical changes that the underwater environment can cause, such as corrosion or decay, and the natural, social and ideological changes that underwater locations can reflect, therefore, are vital parts of a site or object’s life history. The underwater location is also a key factor in determining which scientific techniques and methods to use when dealing with this type of material culture for purposes of exploration, research, documentation, excavation, conservation, presentation or public display. Thus, the study of UCH usually requires the use of tools and techniques that differ from those employed on terrestrial archaeological sites3. For this reason, UCH is frequently mentioned in association with underwater archaeology, i.e., archaeological work, such as excavation, recording and analysis, that takes place on partially or fully submerged sites. Underwater archaeology is governed by the same scientific principles and standards as archaeological work on land but is tailored to the specific challenges of underwater conditions4. The term “underwater archaeology” is not, therefore, a sub-discipline of archaeology. Instead, it is a technical term referring to a specific set of tools and techniques used in conducting archaeological work underwater, within the wider framework and principles of archaeological research." 
World Heritage: Testimonies to Our Humanity Year of publication: 2022 Corporate author: UNESCO The Convention for the Protection of the Cultural and Natural Heritage is an international agreement based on the principle that some places on Earth embody outstanding universal value that should be part of the shared heritage of humankind. UNESCO recognizes cultural and natural sites of outstanding universal value, and protects them for the benefit of all. As a basis for mutual understanding and dialogue, the responsibility for protecting our shared heritage requires cooperation among all States Parties as well as civil society, local communities and the private sector. The idea of reconciling the conservation of cultural sites with that of natural sites originated in the United States of America. A White House conference in Washington, D.C., in 1965 called for the creation of a “World Heritage Foundation” that would stimulate international cooperation to protect “the most extraordinary places, landscapes, and historic sites for the present and future of all mankind.” In 1968, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) made similar proposals to its members. These proposals were presented at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm in 1972. Eventually, all parties concerned agreed on a single text. The Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage was adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO on 16 November 1972. In recognizing both cultural and natural aspects of heritage, the Convention reminds us of the interaction between human beings and nature and the fundamental need to preserve the balance between the two. 
2021-2023 World Heritage Map Published Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO World Heritage Convention The latest version of the World Heritage map, produced by the World Heritage Centre and Geo4Map with the generous support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, can now be ordered from the World Heritage Centre website.The featured image on the map presents the Ḥimā Cultural Area World Heritage property in Saudi Arabia, country hosting the next session of the World Heritage Committee in September 2023.This poster-sized wall map features all 1,157 World Heritage properties and is illustrated with magnificent photos and explanatory captions. It also presents brief explanations of the World Heritage Convention and its related Marine, Earthen Architecture and other conservation programmes. 
World Heritage Online Map Platform: Technical Note on the Provision of Geospatial Data Year of publication: 2023 Corporate author: UNESCO UNESCO’s World Heritage Online Map Platform (WHOMP) is a Geographic Information System (GIS) developed with the support of the Government of Flanders (Belgium), aiming at the creation of a comprehensive and accessible geodatabase for World Heritage properties worldwide. This platform is hosted and managed by UNESCO which ensures that the data presented correspond exactly to the boundaries of the World Heritage properties and their buffer zones as inscribed in the World Heritage List, including any changes adopted by the World Heritage Committee after the initial inscription of a property. 
Managing Transnational UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa Year of publication: 2023 Author: Dodé Houehounha | Edmond Moukala Corporate author: UNESCO Transnational UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Africa – Cooperation is the Key to Success Transnational UNESCO World Heritage sites are the ultimate manifestation of international cooperation − an enriching experience of interculturalism and dialogue between peoples. They offer a unique opportunity to explore and exchange effective and sustainable solutions to contemporary issues, such as climate change, migration, integration, confict and many others. For the frst time, this publication presents the most up-to-date and comprehensive work concerning Transnational UNESCO World Heritage sites in Africa, refecting the interdisciplinary and forward-looking approaches that have dominated research and conservation methodologies in recent decades. The diverse articles and case studies shine a light on how transnational management of properties in Africa provides a crosscutting and sustainable response to contemporary issues related to heritage and associated communities. It also explores the variety of challenges and opportunities related to the management of these sites and highlights best practices that have been implemented. This publication, together with UNESCO, calls on all States Parties to the World Heritage Convention, concerned international and regional organizations, and all relevant stakeholders to support efforts to protect and promote Africa’s rich cultural and natural heritage. It is through concerted action and joint activities that the recommendations from this publication can be implemented and thereby help preserve these properties for future generations. 
Global Priority Africa Flagships 2023: An Update from UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: UNESCO Harare Two years into the implementation of the Operational Strategy for Priority Africa 2022-2029 (OSPA), a new biennium has commenced through the Programme and Budget for 2024-2025. With a goal of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 “The Africa We Want”, the OSPA remains pivotal in accelerating the achievement of SDGs amidst a growing threat of regression and stagnation on some of the SDG targets. The relentless climatic changes have resulted in droughts and cyclones whose incessant rains have caused food insecurity, waterborne diseases and loss of biodiversity. Geopolitical crisis and the remnants of the impacts of COVID-19 continue to waylay the aspirations of the continent. Gender inequality, youth unemployment, education and HIV and AIDS continue to be areas for concern. Despite this plethora of challenges, Member States remain committed to Agenda 2030 and 2063 and the strong partnership existing with UNESCO and the rest of the UN system. While the OSPA is driven to address challenges in the areas of demography and sustainable development, education and knowledge, climate change, cultural renaissance, and peace and democracy these all have far-reaching consequences beyond their focus hence addressing these contributes widely to other thematic areas. Priority Africa reinforces UNESCO’s partnerships with African governing bodies such as the African Union (AU), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Member States as well as other UN agencies. Being also aligned with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and UNESCO’s Joint Programme of Action (JPA) 2022-2025, the OSPA continues to demonstrate its relevance to the region. 
Guardians of the Pacific: A Teacher’s Guide to Celebrating, Preserving, and Promoting World Heritage Year of publication: 2024 Author: Karena Menzie-Ballantyne | Nanise J. Young Okotai | Adi Meretui Tuvou Ratunabuabua Corporate author: APCEIU Guardians of the Pacific: A Teacher’s Guide to Celebrating, Preserving, and Promoting World Heritage is an APCEIU initiative dedicated to advancing Global Citizenship Education (GCED) worldwide. Anchored in the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UNESCO World Heritage, the guide places a special emphasis on the rich and diverse heritage of the Pacific region. This Guide reflects GCED’s integrative approach, which encompasses three interconnected dimensions of learning: cognitive, socio-emotional, and behavioral. It encourages critical thinking about heritage and sustainability, fosters empathy by deepening understanding of the Pacific's unique cultural and natural environments, and inspires meaningful actions to protect and preserve local heritage. Tailored for educators working with students in upper primary (grades 4–6) and lower secondary (grades 7–9), the Guide provides step-by-step instructions and practical resources for incorporating Pacific World Heritage into classroom lessons and extracurricular activities. It is a valuable tool for nurturing awareness, appreciation, and stewardship of the Pacific region’s irreplaceable heritage in schools worldwide. <Table of Contents>ForewordHow to Use This GuideSection 1. Learning Framework Rationale Section 2. What Makes a Place Special?Section 3. The 2030 Agenda, Five Pillars and SDGsSection 4. Protecting People: Levuka Historical Port Town (Cultural Site)Section 5. Preserving the Planet: Phoenix Islands Protected Area (Natural Site)Section 6. Ensuring Prosperity: Rock Islands Southern Lagoon (Mixed Site)Section 7. Promoting Peace: Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site (Cultural Site)Section 8. Partnerships to Protect the Environment: East Rennell (Natural Site)Section 9. Taking Action to Promote and Protect a Special PlaceReferences WorksheetsPhoto Cards