The Meeting of States Parties

The Meeting of States Parties to the Convention is the sovereign body of the Convention, composed of the States that have ratified.

It is composed of the representatives of its States Parties, as well as observers from other UNESCO Member States, delegates from accredited NGOs and invited experts. The Meeting is convened in ordinary session by the Director-General of UNESCO at least once every two years. At the request of a majority of States Parties, the Director-General can convene an extraordinary session and has done this already once in 2009, shortly after the entry into force of the Convention in order to speed up its implementation process.

The Meeting provides strategic guidance for the implementation of the treaty and takes all measures it deems necessary to promote its objectives. It has its own

Sessions of the Meeting of States Parties

Ninth session of the Meeting of States Parties, 2023

In the framework of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, UNESCO organizes following meetings in presential with online access at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris:

“Exchange Day” on major current issues concerning underwater cultural heritage (12 June 2023, Room XI, Fontenoy Building, from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm);
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);
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).

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 subsequently).

RESOLUTIONS

UCH/23/9.MSP/16 : | | |

Working documents

Election of the Bureau

Adoption of Agenda

Temporary suspension of the application of rule 18 of the Rules of Procedure of the Meeting of States Parties

Summary Record of the eighth session

Report on the activities of the Secretariat

Election of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body (STAB)

Evaluation of the Examples of Best Practices related to Underwater Cultural Heritage

Results Framework for the implementation and monitoring of the 2001 Convention

Use of the Fund

Report of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body (STAB)

Report of the open-ended working-group on amendments to Operational Guidelines

Reporting of activities by the accredited NGOs

Accreditation and reaccreditation of NGOs

Harmonization of the Rules of Procedure

Date and venue of the tenth MSP

Information documents

Election of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body (STAB)

UCH/23/9.MSP/6.INF : |

Evaluation of the Examples of Best Practices related to Underwater Cultural Heritage

UCH/23/9.MSP/7.INF : |

Results Framework for the implementation and monitoring of the 2001 Convention

UCH/23/9.MSP/8.INF.I : |

Questionnaire for State Party Reporting

UCH/23/9.MSP/8.INF.II : |

Report of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body (STAB)

UCH/23/9.MSP/10.INF : |

Reporting of activities by the accredited NGOs

UCH/23/9.MSP/12.INF : |

Accreditation and reaccreditation of NGOs

UCH/23/9.MSP/13.INF : |

Eighth session of the Meeting of States Parties, 2021

The eighth session of the Meeting of States Parties to the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage was held in a hybrid format from 7 to 9 June 2021, from 1pm to 5pm Paris time, via the Zoom platform.

The session included an opening ceremony in Tunis in presentia with high-level representatives of the Tunisian government and of UNESCO. The Meeting of States Parties thereafter resumed its work online.

During this session, the Meeting of States Parties elected six Members of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body.

Watch the event online .

Final Resolutions

(UCH/21/8.MSP/14) | | | | |

Working documents

Election of the Bureau

Adoption of the Agenda

Summary records of the seventh session of the Meeting of States Parties

Reports of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body

Report on the activities of the Secretariat

Election of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body

Amendments to Operational Guidelines

Evaluation of the Examples of Best Practices related to Underwater Cultural Heritage

Draft Theory of Change of the 2001 Convention

Progress report on the IOS evaluation of the 2001 Convention

Evaluation and Accreditation of Non-Governmental Organizations

Use of the Fund for the Underwater Cultural Heritage

Date and venue of the ninth session of the Meeting of States Parties

Information documents

Provisional timetable

(UCH/21/8.MSP/2.INF.1) /

Provisional list of documents

(UCH/21/8.MSP/2.INF.2) /

Online survey on the impact of Covid-19

(UCH/21/8.MSP/4.INF.1) /

Reports of the STAB missions

(UCH/21/8.MSP/4.INF.2) /

STAB’s Strategic Framework on engaging in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030

(UCH/21/8.MSP/4.INF.3) /

Geographical distribution of seats and background information on candidates

(UCH/21/8.MSP/6.INF.REV) /

Examples of Best Practices and Scientific and Technical Advisory Body evaluation

(UCH/21/8.MSP/8.INF.1) /

Draft Theory of change

(UCH/21/8.MSP/9.INF) /

Re-accreditation of non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

(UCH/21/8.MSP/11.INF.1) /

Accreditation of new Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

(UCH/21/8.MSP/11.INF.2) /

Seventh session of the meeting of States Parties, 2019

The seventh session of the Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage took place at the Fontenoy Building of the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 20 and 21 June 2019.

The meeting was preceded by an International Meeting on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage from 17 June to 19 June 2019 in Brest, France (Agenda | ) and followed by the Tenth meeting of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body to the 2001 Convention.

The main issues discussed during the 7th session of the Meeting of States Parties were:

Election of members of the Bureau and of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body (STAB),
Amendment of the Rules of Procedures of the Meeting of States Parties and the Statutes of the STAB,
Evaluation of the 2001 Convention
Follow up to the recommendation of the Working Group on Governance of the General Conference,
Designation of Best Practices, and
NGO evaluation and accreditation.

Rules of Procedure of the Meeting of States Parties (2019): | | | | |

Statutes of the Advisory Body (2019): | || | |

Financial Regulation of the Special Account for the Underwater Cultural Heritage (2019): | | | |

Working documents:

Item 1: Election of the Bureau - UCH/19/7.MSP/1,

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Item 2: Adoption of Agenda - UCH/19/7.MSP/2,

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Item 3: Summary Record of the Sixth Session - UCH/19/7.MSP/3,

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Item 4: Reports - UCH/19/7.MSP/4

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Information Document 4: Report and Recommendations of the STAB - UCH/19/7.MSP/INF.4

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Item 5: Report on the Activities of the Secretariat - UCH/19/7.MSP/5,

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Item 6: Election of the STAB - UCH/19/7.MSP/6,

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Information Document 6: Background Candidates STAB - UCH/19/7.MSP/INF.6REV2

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Item 7: Best Practices - UCH/19/7.MSP/7,

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Information document 7: Best Practices - UCH/19/7.MSP/INF.7

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Item 8: Working Group on Governance - UCH/19/7.MSP/8,

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Item 9: Follow-up to Evaluation - UCH/19/7.MSP/9,

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Information document 9: Internal Evaluation Report - UCH/19/7.MSP/INF.9

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Item 10: Change of Procedures - UCH/19/7.MSP/10,

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Item 11: Accreditation of NGOs - UCH/19/7.MSP/11,

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Information document 11: Background NGOs - UCH/19/7.MSP/INF.11

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Item 13: Dates MSP - UCH/19/7.MSP/13,

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Final Resolutions of the 6.MSP: | | |

Sixth Session of the Meeting of States Parties, 2017

The sixth session of the Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage took place at the Fontenoy Building of the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 30 and 31 May 2017.

The Meeting was preceded by an Exchange Day on the contribution of the 2001 Convention to the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda |) on 29 May and followed by the to the 2001 Convention.

The main issues discussed during the 6th session of the Meeting of States Parties were:

The contribution to SDGs by the 2001 Convention;
The wider implementation and ratification of the Convention;
The staffing and funding for the 2001 Convention Secretariat;
Best practices for responsible public access to underwater cultural heritage;
The work of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body (STAB);
The election of six members to the STAB; and
The re-accreditation of NGOs.

Resolutions : | | |

Final Report : | | |

Working Documents of the Meeting of States Parties:

Provisional Timetable |
Item 1: Election of the Bureau - UCH/17/6.MSP/1 Draft Resolution,
| | | | |
Information document 1: UCH/17/6.MSP/INF.1 Participants List
Available on request from the Secretariat
Item 2: Adoption of Agenda - UCH/17/6.MSP/2 Draft Resolution
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Item 3: Summary Records of the Fifth Session of the Meeting of States Parties - UCH/17/6.MSP/3 Draft Resolution
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Item 4: Reports (Secretariat and Technical Advisory Body) - UCH/17/6.MSP/4 Draft Resolution
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Information document 4.1: Report of the Secretariat (April 2015 to April 2017) - UCH/17/6.MSP/INF4.1REV
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Information document 4.2: Report and Recommendations of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body - UCH/17/6.MSP/INF4.2
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Item 5: Election of 6 members of the Advisory Body - UCH/17/6.MSP/5 Draft Resolution
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Information Document 5: Background for the Advisory Body Election - UCH/17/6.MSP/INF.5REV4
| This document may be updated if new candidates are proposed
Item 6: Evaluation of the Examples of Best Practices in the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage - UCH/17/6.MSP/6 Draft Resolution
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Examples presented:
Information document 6: Report from the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body on the Examples of Best Practices - UCH/17/6.MSP/INF.6
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Item 7: Consideration for Adoption of the Ratification and Implementation Strategy and follow up actions - UCH/17/6.MSP/7 Draft Resolution
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Information document 7: Draft Ratification and Implementation Strategy - UCH/17/6.MSP/INF.7REV2
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Item 8: Underwater Cultural Heritage in Emergency Situations - UCH/17/6.MSP/8 Draft Resolution
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Item 9: Evaluation and Accreditation of NGOs - UCH/17/6.MSP/9 Draft Resolution
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Information document 9: Background NGOs - UCH/17/6.MSP/INF.9
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Item 10: Other issues
Item 11: Date and venue of the next session of the Meeting of States Parties - UCH/17/6.MSP/11 Draft Resolution
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Fifth Session of the Meeting of States Parties, 2015

The fifth session of the Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage took place at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, on 27-29 April 2015 (Fontenoy Building, Day 1 – Room II, Day 2 and 3 - Room XI). It was followed by the Sixth Meeting of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body (30 April, Room VI).

The main issues were :

strategies to improve implementation and ratification of the Convention;
enhancing responsible public access to underwater cultural heritage;
the consideration of the logo of the Convention (Operational Guidelines);
the recommendations of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body;
the election of six members to the Advisory Body; and
the accreditation of NGOs.

An Exchange Day (agenda | ) (27 April) preceded the Meeting as integral part of it and will focus on the implementation of the Convention. After a morning session dedicated to expert presentations and a podium discussion (Room II Fontenoy), Regional Group Consultations were organized in the afternoon. Delegations were invited to participate in the Regional Group Consultation of their respective region.

Simultaneous interpretation into the six official languages of the Organization was provided on 28-29 April. The Exchange Day had interpretation into English and French.

Resolutions : |

Final Report : |

Working Documents of the Meeting of States Parties:

Provisional Timetable |
Item 1: Election of the Bureau - UCH/15/5.MSP/1
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Item 2: Adoption of Agenda - UCH/15/5.MSP/2
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Item 3: Summary Record of the Fourth Session of the Meeting of States Parties - UCH/15/5.MSP/3
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Item 4: Follow up of Reports - UCH/15/5.MSP/4
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Information document 4.1: Secretariat’s Report - UCH/15/5.MSP/INF4.1
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Information document 4.2: Report and Recommendations of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body - UCH/15/5.MSP/INF4.2
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Information document 4.3: Report on the Governance Audit of the 2001 Convention and the follow-up to the IOS evaluation of the standard-setting work of the Culture Sector - UCH/15/5.MSP/INF4.3REV
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Item 5: Proposal for strategies to enhance ratifications and implementation of the 2001 Convention - UCH/15/5.MSP/5REV
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Item 6: Election of 6 members of the Advisory Body - UCH/15/5.MSP/6
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Information document 6: Members of the Advisory Body and Geographical Distribution - UCH/15/5.MSP/INF6 REV
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Item 7: Amendment to the Statutes of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body (STAB) - UCH/15/5.MSP/7
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Item 8: Consideration of chapter on logo and revision of chapter on Financing of the Operational Guidelines - UCH/15/5.MSP/8
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Item 9: Accreditation of NGOs - UCH/15/5.MSP/9 REV
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Updated NGO Accreditation Forms
Information document 9: Accreditation of NGOs - UCH/15/5.MSP/INF9
(limited distribution only)
Item 10: Date and venue of the next session of the Meeting of States Parties - UCH/15/5.MSP/10
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Third session of the Meeting of States Parties, 2011

The third session of the Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage took at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, on 13 and 14 April 2011 (Fontenoy building, Room IV).

The main issues to be discussed were :

the elaboration of Operational Guidelines,
the follow-up of the recommendations of the scientific and Technical Advisory Body,
the election of the members of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body, and
the accreditation of NGOs for cooperation with the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body.

Resolutions: / / / / /

Resolution on the temporary accreditation of NGOs for Cooperation with the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body: / / / / /

Final Report: /

This document contained the draft summary record of the third session of the Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (Paris, UNESCO Headquarters, 13 and 14 April 2011). The States Parties submitted comments by email to b.egger@unesco.org(link sends e-mail) and/or in hard copy to the Secretariat of the Convention.

Working Documents for distribution prior to the Meeting:

Item 1 of the Provisional Agenda: Election of a chairperson, vice-chairpersons and a Rapporteur of the Meeting of States Parties
/ / / / /
Item 2 of the Provisional Agenda: Accreditation of Observers
/ / / / /
Item 3 of the Provisional Agenda: Adoption of the Agenda
/ / / / /
Item 4 of the Provisional Agenda: Adoption of the summary record of the second session of the Meeting of States Parties
/ / / / /
Item 5 of the Provisional Agenda: Recommendations and Resolutions of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body
/ / / / /
Item 6 of the Provisional Agenda: Election of the Members of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body
/ / / / /
Item 7 of the Provisional Agenda: Consideration and possible adoption of the Operational Guidelines
/ / / / /
Item 8 of the Provisional Agenda: Accreditation of non-governmental organizations for cooperation with the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body
/ / / / /
Item 9 of the Provisional Agenda: Modification of Rule 18 of the Rules of Procedure
/ / / / /
Item 10 of the Provisional Agenda: Date and venue of the next Meeting of States Parties
/ / / / /
Information document 1: Report of Advisory Body
/ / / / /
Information document 2: Provisional timetable
Information document 3: List of participants
EN
Information document 4: List of candidates for Advisory Body
Information document 5: List of NGOs to be accredited
Information document 6: Manual on the Annex of the Convention
Information document 7: Report on the activities of the Secretariat
Information Document 8: IOC Cooperation

First session of the Meeting of States Parties, 2009

The 2001 Convention entered into force on 2 January 2009. The Director-General convened therefore the first session of the Meeting of States Parties to the Convention from 26 to 27 March 2009 at UNESCO Headquarters.

19 States Parties to the Convention attended the Meeting as participants with the right to vote. Albania, Grenada, Slovakia and Tunisia, having ratified the Convention less than three months before the Meeting of States Parties, participated as observers, as Article 27 of the Convention foresees a delay of 3 months for the Convention to enter into force for a State that deposits its instrument of ratification.

Furthermore 71 States non-Parties to the Convention participated as observers, as well as 5 intergovernmental, and 23 non-governmental organizations.

The Meeting was opened by the Director-General, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations Javier Perez de Cuellar, the president of the UNESCO General Conference and Prof. Thijs Maarleveld, president of the ICOMOS International Committee for the Underwater Cultural Heritage.

After the festive opening act the States Parties to the Convention discussed and adopted the Rules of Procedure of the Meeting of States Parties and decided on the functions and responsibilities of this Meeting, which is the most important organ of the Convention.

The Meeting furthermore established a Scientific and Technical Advisory Body, to be composed of experts nominated by the States Parties with due regard to the principle of equitable geographical distribution and the desirability of a gender balance, and adopted its Statutes. This Body will in future assist the Meeting of States Parties in questions of a scientific or technical nature regarding the implementation of the “Rules concerning activities directed at underwater cultural heritage” (Annex of the 2001 Convention) and other issues.

The Meeting furthermore decided that Operational Guidelines for the Convention will be elaborated and fixed the first week of December 2009 as the time for its next ordinary session.

Speeches held at the Meeting:

Intervention of the UNESCO
Intervention of
Intervention of the
Intervention of the

Reports:

of the Rapporteur
Final Report of the Meeting
/ / // /

Results of the Meeting:

Resolutions of the Meeting of States Parties
// / / /
Rules of Procedure of the Meeting of States Parties
// / / /
Statutes of the Advisory Body
/ / / / /

Working Documents distributed prior to the Meeting:

Item 1 of the Provisional Agenda: Election of a chairperson, vice-chairpersons and a Rapporteur of the Meeting of States Parties
/ / // /
Item 2 of the Provisional Agenda: Adoption of the Agenda of the First Meeting of States Parties
/ / / / /
Item 3 of the Provisional Agenda: Adoption of the Rules of Procedure of the Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage
/ / / / /
Item 4 - No document
Item 5 of the Provisional Agenda: Discussion on the possible adoption of the Statutes of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body
/ / / / /
Item 6 of the Provisional Agenda: Discussion on the possible nomination of the members of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body to the Meeting of States Parties and discussion of the date and venue of its first meeting
/ / / / /
Item 7 of the Provisional Agenda: Discussion of the Establishment of Operational Guidelines
/ / / / /
Item 8 of the Provisional Agenda: Date and Venue of the Second Meeting of States of Parties
/ / / / /

Rules of procedure of the Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage

Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage

2023

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