The Center for Underwater Archaeology in Sozopol is now officially a UNESCO Category 2 Institute, the Ministry of Culture announced. This decision is a result of the UNESCO General Conference, the organization's supreme governing body, which approved this change during its 43rd session.
The Minister of Culture, Marian Bachev, along with Deputy Minister Assoc. Dr. Todor Chobanov, attended the General Conference in Samarkand. Minister Bachev presented the national position in a special address to the delegates. In addition, the Bulgarian side again defended the candidacy with an expert statement at the meeting itself.
The new institute will be named "Institute for Underwater Heritage". It will play a key role in projects and initiatives covering the Black Sea region and the lower reaches of the Danube River.
The designation of Bulgaria as the host of this Category 2 institute represents significant recognition for the work of the Center for Underwater Archaeology. This decision underlines its leading role in the study, preservation, and promotion of underwater heritage, not only within the country, but also at the international level.
UNESCO confirms that the center's activities are in full compliance with the mission and goals of the organization. In addition, it recognizes the center's contribution to achieving a number of sustainable development goals. The numerous projects that the center implements with partners from all over the world demonstrate its ability to develop long-term international cooperation in such a complex and sensitive area as underwater heritage.
This international success is the result of the long-term joint efforts of both the state and the employees of the Center for Underwater Archaeology. The Ministry of Culture highlights the key role of the visionary idea to expand the center's activities to neighboring countries, conceived by Hristina Angelova, one of the center's leaders.
The Institute for Underwater Heritage will serve not only as a national platform, but also as a regional center for scientific exchange, training and cooperation between the countries of the Black Sea region and along the Danube. The synergy between the world and underwater heritage provided meaning and motivation for our country to create this institute. It will play an important role in the development of sustainable cultural heritage management, increasing education related to ocean research, as well as scientific cooperation, according to the statement of the Ministry of Culture.
In addition, the Institute for Underwater Heritage will play a key role in the fight against the illegal trafficking of cultural property. This will be achieved by strengthening national inventories and monitoring underwater archaeological sites. In order to increase its regional impact, the center plans to promote cooperation with other Category 2 UNESCO centers, as well as with academic institutions and international research networks.
UNESCO's decision is an act of trust in Bulgaria and recognition of the country's long-standing contribution to the field of underwater archaeology and the preservation of underwater cultural heritage.