The UNESCO headquarters in Paris, where an extraordinary meeting dedicated to the protection of cultural property in times of conflict is being held. (Photo: AFP)
Faced with mounting threats to its cultural assets, Lebanon is raising its voice on the international stage. Its permanent delegation to UNESCO has announced the convening of an extraordinary meeting of the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, scheduled for April 1, 2026, at the organization's Paris headquarters.
Organized in close coordination with Lebanon's Culture Ministry — particularly the Directorate General of Antiquities — this session is part of a broader diplomatic offensive. The goal is to activate international levers in response to escalating risks threatening the country's archaeological and heritage sites.
At the heart of this effort is a clear intention, as underscored to L'Orient Today by Lebanon’s permanent delegate to UNESCO, Hind Darwiche: to reaffirm Lebanon’s commitment to the 1954 Hague Convention and its second protocol from 1999, which frame the protection of heritage in times of war.
But beyond the legal reference, urgency remains paramount: that of safeguarding a legacy which goes beyond national borders and is part of humanity’s shared heritage, as Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh has repeatedly indicated in his discussions with UNESCO Director-General Khaled al-Enany since the escalation of Israel's attacks on Lebanon.
Toward enhanced protection
The meeting is expected to result in a series of significant decisions, starting with extending enhanced protection to 39 new archaeological sites throughout Lebanon. Their inclusion would bring to 73 the total number of sites with this status, following the 34 already recognized in 2024.
The stakes are far from symbolic. This classification involves displaying the blue and red shield — the international emblem of protection — and, more importantly, legally obligates any party that would attack these sites. Any such offense could fall under international law.
Another key point expected: the mobilization of dedicated funding, which is essential to turning these commitments into concrete action on the ground.
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