Kiri

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 7, Place de Fontenoy 75352 Paris 07 SP France

T: +33 (0)1 45 68 10 00 www.unesco.org

To the Members of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body 28 March 2025

Culture sector Ref.: CLT/EO-CGM/CEM/UCH/25/0959 Subject: Invitation to the meetings of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of

Underwater Cultural Heritage Madam/Sir, I am pleased to invite you to attend the upcoming meetings, in the framework of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage, which will take place in person with online access at UNESCO Headquarters (Room XI), from 16 to 18 June 2025:

1. 10th session of the Meeting of States Parties to the 2001 Convention: Monday, 16 and the morning of Tuesday, 17 June 2025

2. 16th meeting of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body (STAB): Wednesday, 18 June 2025

A meeting of the UNITWIN Network for Underwater Archaeology and a meeting of the accredited NGOs will take place in the afternoon of Tuesday, 17June 2025.

Furthermore, a scientific conference on “Underwater Cultural Heritage and the Challenges of Climate Change” will be held on Thursday, 19 June 2025 at UNESCO Headquarters (Room XI). Simultaneous interpretation and working documents will be available in four of the six official UNESCO languages (English, French, Arabic, Spanish) during the Meeting of States Parties, and in English and French during the STAB meeting. Moreover, simultaneous interpretation in English and French will also be available during the scientific conference of 19 June. Working documents and general information on the practical arrangements for the sessions will be available online: link.

Please be reminded that ahead of the Meeting of States Parties, the Secretariat will contact you for the evaluation of new or renewed NGO accreditation requests as well as new or renewed Best Practice examples.

Please also note that six of the STAB member positions will be open for election.

In accordance with standard practice, travel and subsistence expenses for participants in the above-mentioned sessions will be borne by the State they represent. I would be grateful if you could confirm your participation by registering online by 15 May 2025 at the following link available on the Convention's website: Indigo link. In the event of technical issues, please contact the Secretariat, at the following email address: [email protected].

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For any inquiries related to visas or entry requirements for France, participants are encouraged to reach out directly to the French embassy or consulate in their home country. If your country does not have a diplomatic representation from the host country, please send your request to the email address of the Convention Secretariat provided above. The Secretariat will forward the requests to the host country. However, please be reminded that the issuance of visas is solely at the discretion of the French authorities.

Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Krista Pikkat

cc: Permanent Delegations of Members of STAB National Commissions for UNESCO of STAB member countries