Gallipoli Wrecks

Divers explore a World War I shipwreck in Gallipoli, Turkey.

M. Spencer/UNESCO

The year 2014 will mark the beginning of the worldwide remembrance of the First World War Centenary. From 2014 onwards, the submerged heritage dating back to the period 1914-1918 will come under the scope of the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. To commemorate this event, the fourth session of the Meeting of States Parties to the 2001 Convention in 2013 decided to organize special remembrance and scientific events on underwater cultural heritage from the First World War.

I would be grateful if you would consider being a part of this important initiative by supporting a "Dive for Peace Day" on 28 June 2014.

This special day involving divers, children and the general public, will focus on submerged heritage from the period 1914-1918 and include in situ visits, remembrance peace-education activities and information events. It will stress the need to preserve our submerged heritage and to build and preserve peace. I invite you to elaborate, in close cooperation with UNESCO, appropriate activities.

For further information, please direct any questions you might have to Ms. Ulrike Guerin, Programme Specialist for the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (e-mail: u.guerin@unesco.org or tel.:+33.1.45.68.44.06).

Yours sincerely,

Khalil Karam

Chairperson of the Meeting of States Parties of the 2001 Convention of the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage