UNESCO's mandate is to promote the stewardship of the world's cultural resources, including the built heritage which constitutes our collective cultural memory, and the foundation upon which communities can construct their future.  In Asia and the Pacific, UNESCO supports  conservation activists at all levels, and particularly seeks to encourage the role of the private sector in preserving the region's cultural heritage.

Since 2000, UNESCO has received 266 entries from 23 countries, spanning a wide range of conservation projects from private residences to palace complexes. Many of the entries have set technical and social benchmarks for conservation in the region, while acting as catalysts for local preservation activity.  Over the years, the projects illustrate the increasing momentum and level of conservation in Asia and the Pacific.

In 2005, UNESCO launched the Heritage Awards Jury Commendation for Innovation.  The Jury Commendation recognizes newly-built structures which demonstrate outstanding standards for contemporary architectural design which are well integrated into historic contexts.

News

14 May 2008 - Galle Fort present with UNESCO Asia - Pacific Heritage Award.

The 2007 UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award of Distinction, for heritage conservation, was presented to Galle Fort Hotel by Richard Engelhardt, UNESCO Regional Advisor for Culture in Asia and the Pacific at a presentation ceremony jointly organized by UNESCO and the Galle Heritage Foundation.

The jury panel on making the awatd has cited: This carefully considered transformation of an abandoned historic residential compound into a stylish luxury boutique hotel has evocatively captured the spirit of place of the colonial World Heritage fortified town of Galle...For more details on the hotel and its restoration work visit www.galleforthotel.com

Bangkok, 10 January 2008 – Entries are now being accepted for the 2008 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The awards programme, in its ninth year, recognizes the achievement of individuals and organizations within the private sector, and public-private initiatives, in successfully restoring structures of heritage value in the Asia-Pacific region.  The deadline for receipt of materials is 31 March 2008.
 
In addition to the established awards, entries are also accepted for the Jury Prize for Innovation to recognize newly-built structures which demonstrate outstanding standards for contemporary architectural design that are well-integrated into historic contexts.

Complete programme information, including an entry form, is available on the web at http://www.unescobkk.org/index.php?id=7707.

Asia Conserved, UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards Book Launched
 

The book Asia Conserved: Lessons Learned from the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards for Culture Heritage Conservation 2000-2004 was officially launched at the Phra Racha Wang Derm Palace, 2004 winner of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award of Merit, on 16 August 2007 in Bangkok, Thailand. The book has been published with the primary support of the Lord Wilson Heritage Trust, with contributions from UNESCO Beijing, UNESCO Islamabad, UNESCO Jakarta and UNESCO Phnom Penh. 

For the press release about the launch event, please click here (PDF format, 38.3 KB).
For pictures from the launch event, please click here.
For more information about the book, please click here.
For the order form of the book, please click here (PDF format, 166 KB).