The Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, widely known as the 1954 Hague Convention, is a multilateral treaty adopted to protect cultural property in time of peace and during armed conflicts. By creating platforms and mechanisms for international dialogue, mutual respect, and understanding through the protection of cultural heritage, the Convention underscores that safeguarding cultural property is not merely an act of preservation, but a vital step towards fostering unity, reconciliation, and long-lasting peace among nations. With 134 States ratifying the Convention, it stands as a beacon of global collaboration for peace through cultural preservation.
The Meeting of High Contracting Parties is a governing body of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. In addition to the representatives of the High Contracting Parties to the 1954 Hague Convention, the representatives of Member States of UNESCO not parties to the 1954 Hague Convention and permanent observer missions to UNESCO may participate in the work of the Meeting as observers, without the right to vote.
The Meeting will undertake a comprehensive discussion encompassing several pivotal points on its agenda. Foremost, it will review the report presented by the Secretariat detailing its activities and information on preparation of the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the 1954 Hague Convention. Following this, as part of the efforts to improve the monitoring mechanisms under these treaties, there will be an evaluation of the Periodic Reporting mechanism defined under the framework of the 1954 Hague Convention and its Second Protocol. Moreover, the Meeting will also pursue the recommendations forwarded in the evaluation of UNESCO’s standard-setting work within the Culture Sector, specifically focusing on Part V, which encompasses the 1954 Hague Convention and its two Protocols. In this context, the Theory of Change, as well as the action plan for these treaties will be brought forward for examination.
The Meeting will also contemplate potential amendments to the procedural rules that govern the Meetings of the High Contracting Parties to the 1954 Hague Convention.
