UNESCO
Paris,
29 April 2024
Dear Ambassador,
I have the honour to refer to your letter dated 12 October 2023 in which you informed
the Secretariat of UNESCO of your Government’s offer to host the International Conference
“Cultural Heritage and Peace: Building on 70 years of the UNESCO Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict” in The Hague from 13 to 15 May 2024.
I would like to thank the Kingdom of the Netherlands for its generous offer and confirm,
on behalf of the Organization, UNESCO’s acceptance of this offer, as indicated in
the letter of the Assistant Director-General for Culture of 28 November 2023 reference
CLT/CEM/CHP/23/9470.
A. Nature and scope of the meeting
In accordance with the provisions of the “Regulations for the general classification
of the various categories of meetings convened by UNESCO” adopted by the General Conference
at its 14th session and amended at its 18th, 25th, 33rd and 37th sessions, this meeting is regarded as falling within category IV.
The purpose of this meeting is to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, adopted at The Hague on 14 May 1954, and the 25th anniversary of the Second Protocol to The Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property
in the Event of Armed Conflict, adopted at The Hague on 26 March 1999.
B. Participation
The following participants are invited to take part in the meeting:
The United Nations and other organizations of the United Nations system with which
UNESCO has concluded mutual representation agreements may send representatives to
the meeting.
The Director-General may also extend invitations to send observers to the meeting
to:
-
(a) Organizations of the United Nations system with which UNESCO has not concluded mutual
representation agreements;
-
(b) Intergovernmental organizations; and
-
(c) International non-governmental organizations, in accordance with the Directives concerning
UNESCO's partnership with international non-governmental organizations.
The total number of participants, including specialists, observers and members of
the UNESCO Secretariat, is expected to be approximately 300.
I have the honour to submit for your consideration the following proposals for the
arrangements for this meeting.
I. VENUE AND DATE OF THE MEETING
The meeting will be held from 13 to 15 May 2024 at the Peace Palace and the World
Forum in The Hague, the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
II. ORGANIZATION OF THE MEETING
The responsibility for the operational and technical organization of the meeting lies
with both the Government of the Netherlands (hereinafter: the “Government“) and UNESCO
on the basis of the attached statement of requirements (see Annex).
However, nothing herein shall preclude the parties from mutually agreeing to such
adjustments as may be desirable to ensure the smooth conduct of the meeting, in accordance
with Article IX. All matters relating to the operational and technical organization
of the meeting will be handled through the liaison officer appointed by the Government.
Ill. SECURITY MEASURES
The Government is responsible for providing, at its own expense, the police protection
and security measures necessary for the holding of the preparatory meetings and meetings
of the event, as well as any other meeting related to the event, in an atmosphere
of calm and serenity, without interference of any kind.
The Government shall assess the police protection and security measures necessary
for the holding of the event and will provide these measures. These measures shall
meet the standards of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS), according
to which the UN Designated Official (DO) for the Netherlands is the authority responsible
for the security of United Nations personnel, premises and assets throughout the country,
and must be consulted on the measures envisaged.
The police and security arrangements will be under the direct supervision and/or control
of a senior officer designated by the Government of the Netherlands who will work
in close coordination with the security officer appointed for this purpose by UNESCO
and/or the locally competent United Nations security officer.
IV. PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES
The Government will apply, in all matters relating to this meeting, the provisions
of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies of the United Nations and its Annex IV relating to UNESCO. All persons entitled to
participate in the meeting must have the right to enter and leave the territory of
the Netherlands promptly. In that respect, it is understood that no restriction on
the right to enter, stay in and depart from the territory of the Netherlands may be
imposed on a person entitled to participate in the meeting, regardless of his or her
nationality.
V. VISAS
The Government shall facilitate the participants to obtain any required visas as expeditiously
as possible, in accordance with relevant domestic and EU legislation and its obligations
under the United Nations Charter for the maintenance of international peace and security.
VI. HEALTH MEASURES
In the event that the meeting is held during a global/regional/local health crisis,
the Government will put in place a set of health protocols to ensure the safety of
meeting participants as well as the staff of the organizing teams. These protocols
should be in line with the latest UNESCO and The Netherlands health guidelines, and
can be reconsidered at any time if necessary.
In the event that the meeting is held during a global/regional local health crisis,
the Government will develop guidelines for the practical organization of the meeting
and any other meetings and events related to the main meeting, taking into account
the concepts of population density, audience flow, space and volume of the venue,
as well as specific guidelines for catering.
Preventive and protective measures to reduce the risk of propagation from and into
the meeting venue should also be in place at official event locations: meeting facilities
(including interpretation booths and offices), cultural sites, etc.
The Government will be responsible for informing and, if necessary, reminding participants
and organizers, as well as professionals (artists, exhibitors, technicians, service
providers, volunteers, etc.), of the measures in place, and for ensuring that they
are respected by everyone at all times.
VII. ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES
The Government is committed to taking environmental considerations into account at
all stages of the planning, organization and execution of the meeting in order to
minimize environmental impact, in accordance with the UNESCO Environmental Sustainability
and Management Policy. Any additional expenses that an environmentally friendly meeting
may require will be included in the financial planning for the meeting.
In providing the space, facilities, utilities and services for the meeting, the Government
will aim to avoid and reduce, to the extent possible, greenhouse gas emissions associated
with the hosting of the meeting.
All facilities, services and resources necessary to implement a sustainable meeting
will be provided by the Government.
VIII. PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION AND PRIVACY
The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands undertakes to take into account privacy-by-design
and by-default considerations at all stages of the planning, organization and implementation
of the meeting in order to minimize the risks associated with the processing of personal
data, in accordance with the UNESCO Principles on Personal Data Protection and Privacy
(https://www.unesco.org/en/privacy-policy) and their applicable regulations and rules.
In this regard, the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will undertake a
privacy impact assessment to build and demonstrate the implementation of the Principles
so that data subjects retain control over their personal data. The Government of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands will report on the data protection aspects of the meeting,
including technical and administrative safeguards against accidental or unlawful destruction
or accidental loss, alteration, unauthorized disclosure or access to personal data,
and will ensure that measures are evaluated.
IX. DAMAGE AND ACCIDENTS
As long as the premises reserved for the meeting remain at the disposal of UNESCO,
the Government shall bear the risk of damage to the premises, equipment and furniture,
and shall assume full responsibility for any accidents to persons attending the meeting.
The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands does not assume responsibility for
damage caused by gross negligence or intentional misconduct of participants. The Government
of the Kingdom of the Netherlands shall ensure the protection of the above-mentioned
premises, equipment, furniture and persons against risks, particularly fire. It may
also claim compensation from UNESCO for damage to persons and property caused by the
fault of staff members or agents of the Organization.
X. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Any dispute relating to the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall
be settled by negotiation or such other procedure as the parties may agree.
XI. AMENDMENTS
The exchange of letters constituting an agreement may be amended by mutual written
agreement by UNESCO and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The exchange of letters shall constitute the agreement between the Kingdom of the
Netherlands and UNESCO with respect to this meeting, which shall remain in force for
the duration of the meeting and for such additional period as is necessary for its
winding up. The total duration of this Agreement shall not exceed one year.
Please accept, Ambassador, the assurance of my highest consideration.
ANTHONY OHEMENG-BOAMAH
Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations
Annex: Statement of requirements
Monique van Daalen
Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to UNESCO