The General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization, meeting in Paris from 15 October to 3 November 2001, at its 31st session,
Acknowledging the importance of underwater cultural heritage as an integral part of
the cultural heritage of humanity and a particularly important element in the history
of peoples, nations, and their relations with each other concerning their common heritage,
Realizing the importance of protecting and preserving the underwater cultural heritage
and that responsibility therefor rests with all States,
Noting growing public interest in and public appreciation of underwater cultural heritage,
Convinced of the importance of research, information and education to the protection
and preservation of underwater cultural heritage,
Convinced of the public’s right to enjoy the educational and recreational benefits
of responsible non-intrusive access to in situ underwater cultural heritage, and of the value of public education to contribute
to awareness, appreciation and protection of that heritage,
Aware of the fact that underwater cultural heritage is threatened by unauthorized
activities directed at it, and of the need for stronger measures to prevent such activities,
Conscious of the need to respond appropriately to the possible negative impact on
underwater cultural heritage of legitimate activities that may incidentally affect
it,
Deeply concerned by the increasing commercial exploitation of underwater cultural
heritage, and in particular by certain activities aimed at the sale, acquisition or
barter of underwater cultural heritage,
Aware of the availability of advanced technology that enhances discovery of and access
to underwater cultural heritage,
Believing that cooperation among States, international organizations, scientific institutions,
professional organizations, archaeologists, divers, other interested parties and the
public at large is essential for the protection of underwater cultural heritage,
Considering that survey, excavation and protection of underwater cultural heritage
necessitate the availability and application of special scientific methods and the
use of suitable techniques and equipment as well as a high degree of professional
specialization, all of which indicate a need for uniform governing criteria,
Realizing the need to codify and progressively develop rules relating to the protection
and preservation of underwater cultural heritage in conformity with international
law and practice, including the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and
Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property of 14 November 1970, the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 16 November 1972 and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982,
Committed to improving the effectiveness of measures at international, regional and
national levels for the preservation in situ or, if necessary for scientific or protective purposes, the careful recovery of underwater
cultural heritage,
Having decided at its twenty-ninth session that this question should be made the subject
of an international convention,