The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Kenya's Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage are hosting a regional conference in Malindi, Kilifi County, to tackle challenges in protecting underwater cultural heritage for sustainable tourism development. The event, scheduled for March 11-12, 2019, at the Ocean Beach Resort, will bring together officials, experts, and stakeholders from 13 Indian Ocean-bordering Eastern African nations.
UNESCO's Regional Advisor for Culture, Ms. Karalyn Monteil, highlighted that while land-based archaeological sites have revealed much about human civilization, the oceans remain largely unexplored. She noted that underwater heritage—such as shipwrecks and submerged cities—offers unique insights into historical exploration but faces growing threats from looting and technological advancements that increase accessibility.
The 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, ratified by 61 member states, aims to safeguard these sites. However, only Madagascar in the Eastern Africa region has ratified the agreement, despite the presence of numerous shipwrecks along the coasts of nine other regional countries. The conference seeks to raise awareness about the convention and encourage national measures to protect underwater heritage.
A technical meeting following the ministerial session will focus on capacity-building for underwater heritage conservation. Over 70 delegates, including culture ministers, museum directors, and archaeologists, are expected to attend. Participants will also explore opportunities to leverage heritage protection for sustainable tourism growth in the region.
