Culture

UNESCO is the only United Nations agency with a specific mandate for culture and heritage. Culture is unique in its ability to anchor people’s feelings and beliefs to the land in which they live, and to the communities to which they belong. It has the power to transform individuals and societies.

While no global definition of 'cultural heritage' exists, UNESCO’s Conventions protect the values that people and communities place on cultural heritage including cultural property, cultural heritage sites, underwater cultural heritage, documentary and digital heritage, oral traditions, rites and beliefs, music, traditional medicine, historic cities, and traditional sports and games.

Our work, and that of the UNESCO in the UK network, has a significant positive impact on the government(s) commitment to fulfilling UNESCO’s action on culture globally. The UK is home to many culture-related UNESCO initiatives, and our world-leading experts continue to shape, and have impact through, UNESCO’s global programmes.

Culture Frameworks

UNESCO establishes an international normative framework for equitable communication and information through Conventions, Recommendations, Committees, and other agreements. Conventions and agreements help develop national policies and set-up international frameworks. These frameworks protect global rights on a myriad of subjects, including cultural heritage protection and intangible cultural heritage, and lay the foundations for the free flow of information, ideas, and international cultural cooperation.
The UK Government has acceded or ratified the following standard-setting instruments in communication and information below.

Convention	Year	UK Ratified (Year)
Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict with Regulations for the Execution of the Convention - Protects cultural property during times of armed conflict to preserve humanity’s shared heritage	1954	2017
Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict - Focuses on preventing the removal of cultural property from occupied territories during conflict	1954	2017
Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict - Strengthens measures to protect cultural heritage and prevent intentional destruction during armed conflict	1999	2017
Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage - Ensures the conservation of cultural and natural sites of outstanding universal value	1972	1984
Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property - Prevents illegal trade in cultural objects and promotes their rightful ownership	1970	2002
Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage - Safeguards underwater cultural sites such as shipwrecks and submerged ruins	2001
Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage - Preserves traditions, knowledge, and practices passed down through generations	2003	2024
Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions - Supports the protection and promotion of diverse cultural expressions in a globalised world	2005	2007

Recommendation	Year Adopted
Recommendation on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Export, Import and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property - Provides guidelines to stop illegal trade and ensure cultural property remains where it belongs	1964
Recommendation concerning the International Standardization of Library Statistics - Promotes standard methods for collecting and analysing library statistics to improve library services worldwide	1970
Recommendation concerning the Protection, at National Level, of the Cultural and Natural Heritage - Encourages nations to safeguard their unique cultural and natural heritage for future generations	1972
Recommendation on Participation by the People at Large in Cultural Life and their Contribution to It - Advocates for inclusive participation in cultural life to enrich societies and empower communities	1976
Recommendation concerning the Safeguarding and Contemporary Role of Historic Areas - Highlights the importance of preserving historic areas while integrating them into modern life	1976
Recommendation concerning the International Exchange of Cultural Property - Encourages ethical and fair international exchange of cultural artifacts to foster understanding and collaboration	1976
Revised Recommendation concerning International Competitions in Architecture and Town Planning - Promotes best practices in architecture and urban planning through fair and innovative competitions	1978
Recommendation for the Protection of Movable Cultural Property - Provides measures to protect cultural objects that can be relocated, such as art and artefacts	1978
Recommendation concerning the Status of the Artist - Supports the rights and social status of artists, recognising their critical role in cultural development	1980
Recommendation concerning the International Standardization of Statistics on the Public Financing of Cultural Activities - Encourages consistent methods for tracking public funding of cultural activities to enhance transparency and effectiveness	1980
Recommendation on the Safeguarding of Traditional Culture and Folklore - Focuses on preserving traditional cultural expressions and knowledge for future generations	1989
Recommendation on International Principles Applicable to Archaeological Excavations - Sets standards for responsible and ethical archaeological practices worldwide	1956
Recommendation concerning the Safeguarding of Beauty and Character of Landscapes and Sites- Promotes protecting the unique beauty and character of natural and cultural landscapes	1962
Recommendation concerning the Preservation of Cultural Property Endangered by Public or Private works- Ensures that cultural heritage is preserved and protected from the impact of development and construction	1968
Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape, including a glossary of definitions - Advocates for integrating historic urban areas into modern planning while respecting their heritage	2011
Recommendation concerning the protection and promotion of museums and collections, their diversity and their role in society - Emphasises the importance of museums in education, culture, and promoting diversity	2015

Declaration	Year Adopted
Declaration of Principles of International Cultural Co-operation - Promotes international collaboration to preserve and enhance cultural heritage worldwide	1966
UNESCO Declaration concerning the Intentional Destruction of Cultural Heritage - Condemns the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage and calls for international efforts to prevent such acts	2003