Overview
The evaluation of UNESCO’s Standard-setting work of the Culture Sector – Part VI – 2001 Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage aims to generate findings, lessons learned and recommendations regarding the relevance and the effectiveness of the 2001 Convention in enhancing the protection of underwater cultural heritage worldwide. The evaluation found that the 2001 Convention is widely appreciated by experts and relevant to the sustainable development agenda. Similarly, the support provided by the Secretariat and the statutory bodies of the Convention are seen as effective. However, the narrow discourse around the Convention has led to limited understanding and interest from non-expert stakeholders. Broadening the discourse is essential for more stakeholders to feel concerned by the protection of underwater cultural heritage. This requires linking the protection of underwater cultural heritage to other relevant themes such as the marine environment and highlighting the value of protecting this heritage for local communities. The lack of a results framework and monitoring processes for the 2001 Convention have also prevented the UNESCO Secretariat from adopting a strategic approach to its support for Member States. This, coupled with limited visibility of the Convention and insufficient resources at the Secretariat, has hampered the ratification rate as well as the effectiveness of the implementation of the 2001 Convention.