UNESCO has with support from the Government of Switzerland organised this international conference on protecting cultural property, in particular against the threats posed by conflict and disasters (in line with the 1954 Hague Convention).

This is the first meeting of its kind. The Conference will convene States representatives, experts and other stakeholders to share and deliberate on the achievements and challenges facing the implementation of the Second Protocol, and to provide a clear and coherent vision for its future.

The Second Protocol enhances protection for cultural heritage by defining a new category of protection, namely enhanced protection, for cultural properties and establishes sanctions in case of violations and crimes against people’s cultural heritage.

This is important for libraries as well, as libraries are defined as Cultural Property in the Hague Convention and therefore most be protected in the case of armed conflict.

It is an ideal opportunity to increase the visibility and raise awareness of the instrument and to encourage UNESCO Member states to become party to the 1999 Second Protocol if they have not already done so. To date, 82 states are Parties to the Protocol (133 have ratified or acceded to the Convention).

You can view the provisional programme for the conference. Read more about the Hague Convention and the Protection of Cultural Property. See IFLA’s response to the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights’ call for contributions on the ten years of her mandate.