ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) over a future programme for the protection of the underwater cultural heritage in the light of both the historical and actual contexts. It considers in parallel, current debate within the Council of Europe and the interest expressed by the European Commission in the issue. A draft European Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage was duly prepared and presented to the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe for adoption in 1985. Work towards an International Law Association (ILA) draft international convention on the underwater heritage began in 1988 and the final version of the text was adopted by the ILA Buenos Aires Conference in 1994. The Preamble places the responsibility for protecting the underwater cultural heritage on all States as "an integral part of the cultural heritage of humanity".
