World Celebrates First International Day of Underwater Cultural Heritage

World Celebrates First International Day of Underwater Cultural Heritage

On August 21, the world celebrated, for the first time, the International Day of Underwater Cultural Heritage, an international occasion aimed at raising awareness about the importance of protecting historical and archaeological treasures located beneath the seas, oceans, rivers, and lakes and preserving them for future generations.
During its 43rd session, held in the city of Samarkand in 2025, the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated August 21 of each year for the occasion, following an initiative proposed by the Arab Republic of Egypt, making 2026 the first official celebration of the day.
The launch of the occasion holds special significance as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of UNESCO’s 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, which established an international framework for cooperation in documenting, protecting, and preserving this heritage. The convention has been joined by 81 countries.
According to UNESCO, underwater cultural heritage includes all traces of human existence of a cultural, historical, or archaeological nature that have been partially or totally submerged in water, continuously or periodically, for at least 100 years.
This heritage includes shipwrecks and their cargoes, submerged cities and settlements, ancient ports and coastal structures, as well as related archaeological remains. It is not limited to seas and oceans but also extends to rivers, lakes, and other aquatic environments.
The new international day aims to highlight the cultural and scientific value of this heritage and encourage countries and relevant institutions to strengthen research, documentation, and protection efforts, helping prevent submerged archaeological sites and artifacts from being looted, damaged, or lost.