Qatar Museums’ Archaeology Department, in partnership with the UNESCO Regional Office in Doha, will host a public lecture at the Museum of Islamic Art Auditorium on August 21 to mark the first-ever International Day for Underwater Cultural Heritage.

The lecture, titled “Frameworks and Mechanisms of International Cooperation under the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage,” will be delivered by Dr. Ouafa Slimane, a specialist in field archaeology. Her presentation will explore the international frameworks established by the 2001 Convention and highlight successful case studies that demonstrate the power of cross-border collaboration in preserving submerged cultural sites.

This event coincides with the official recognition of August 21 as the International Day for Underwater Cultural Heritage, a designation adopted earlier this year in Paris by the States Parties to the Convention. The day aims to raise global awareness about the importance of protecting underwater cultural assets for future generations.

Dr. Slimane will also discuss how the Convention promotes sustainable preservation practices and encourages cultural exchange, reinforcing the value of international cooperation in safeguarding humanity’s shared heritage beneath the seas.

The lecture is part of Qatar Museums’ broader commitment to making cultural heritage accessible to the public and strengthening Qatar’s leadership in heritage protection and global collaboration. It also aligns with the institution’s 20th anniversary celebrations, which are being marked by the Evolution Nation campaign an 18-month initiative celebrating Qatar’s cultural development from the founding of the National Museum to the vibrant network of institutions active today.