QM, Unesco to mark International Day for Underwater Cultural Heritage

Doha, Qatar - Qatar Museums (QM) and the Unesco Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen are set to co-host a conference on Thursday, August 20, 2026, to commemorate the International Day for Underwater Cultural Heritage. The event will take place at the National Museum of Qatar from 9:30am to 12pm, focusing on the country's coastal and maritime heritage.

The conference, themed 'Coastal and Maritime Cultural Heritage in Qatar', aims to raise awareness of underwater heritage as an essential component of humanity's shared cultural legacy and collective memory. It will feature presentations by archaeologists and heritage specialists from Qatar Museums and Unesco, delving into research, documentation, conservation, and sustainable management of underwater cultural heritage.

Faisal Al Naimi, Director of Qatar Museums' Archaeology Department, emphasized that Qatar's maritime heritage is a vital part of the nation's history and identity. He highlighted the importance of research, conservation, and public engagement in ensuring this unique legacy is preserved and passed on to future generations.

The conference will also address sustainable approaches to managing underwater cultural heritage, aiming to strike a balance between protection, conservation, scientific research, and public engagement. It underscores Qatar Museums' and Unesco's shared commitment to the principles of the 2001 Convention and international cooperation in archaeology and cultural heritage.

As the public is invited to attend the conference, it presents an opportunity to learn about Qatar's maritime past and engage with experts in the field.