5th extraordinary meeting of the Committee : Enhanced Protection for Cultural Heritage in Lebanon
5th extraordinary meeting of the Committee : Enhanced Protection for Cultural Heritage in Lebanon H.E. Hind Ghrayeb, Permanent Delegate of Lebanon to UNESCO April 1, 2026 ICOMOS Lebanon Source Armed Conflict, Blue Shield, Enhanced Protection, Hague Convention 1954 In 2024, following escalating hostilities and direct threats to cultural heritage, Lebanon formally requested international protection for its most vulnerable sites. Responding to this urgent appeal, UNESCO granted Enhanced Protection to 34 cultural properties under the 1954 Hague Convention, placing them under the highest level of legal protection against attack and military use. This unprecedented decision reflected both the severity of the risks faced by Lebanon’s heritage and its recognition as a shared heritage of humanity requiring immediate safeguarding. Building on this milestone, the Fifth Extraordinary Meeting of the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict has now extended Enhanced Protection to 39 cultural properties in Lebanon. This expansion underscores the international community’s strong commitment to safeguarding the country’s cultural heritage amid ongoing threats and instability. The inscription of these properties on the International List of Cultural Property under Enhanced Protection highlights their outstanding significance for humanity and the urgent need for coordinated protective measures. Enhanced Protection, established under the Second Protocol (1999) to the 1954 Hague Convention, provides the highest level of legal immunity. It ensures that protected sites cannot be targeted by military attack or used for military purposes. Any violation constitutes a serious breach of international law and may lead to criminal responsibility. The Blue Shield emblem symbolizes the collective efforts of Lebanese national institutions, international and local organizations, and dedicated experts working together to protect these sites and strengthen cultural resilience in times of armed conflict. This achievement is the result of a sustained collective effort. At its core stands the dedicated work of the Directorate General of Antiquities (DGA) team in Lebanon, whose commitment, technical preparation, and continuous follow-up were instrumental in bringing this process to completion. This was carried forward in close coordination with the UNESCO Beirut Office, whose support and facilitation played a key role throughout. The process was further strengthened by the engagement of the UNESCO Secretariat, the support of the States Parties that endorsed Lebanon’s request, and the valuable financial and technical contributions of observers. Together, these combined efforts demonstrate the strength of collaborative action in protecting cultural heritage. They ensure that Lebanon’s cultural properties now benefit from the highest level of international protection, reaffirming their value not only at the national level, but for humanity as a whole. Consult the full list of protected sites: here 5th extraordinary meeting of the Committee
