UNESCO will organize the first ad hoc subcommittee meeting on monitoring and supervision of the implementation of the 1999 Second Protocol of the Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the event of Armed Conflict on 16 and 17 June 2021. The Second Protocol has been ratified by 83 States Parties and, in particular, provides the grant of enhanced protection for cultural heritage that is especially important for humankind. At its 15th meeting in December 2020, the Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict decided to establish an ad hoc subcommittee, to develop and submit proposals on the application of the Article 27(1)(c) of the 1999 Second Protocol and, inter alia, elaborate a mechanism aiming to improve the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict, notably in extreme emergency situations. This ad hoc subcommittee is composed of the Committee members and relevant experts and is open to the other Parties to the 1999 Second Protocol.

To prepare a reflection document to the attention of the subcommittee, a consultative Virtual Expert Meeting on Cultural Property Protection: Monitoring and supervision of the implementation of the 1999 Second Protocol, is taking place on 3 and 4 May 2021. This meeting is attended by the representatives of the advisory organisations, independent experts, specialised UNESCO Chairs, and the Secretariats of UNESCO’s Cultural Conventions. This expert meeting is hosted by the Secretariat of the 1954 Hague Convention and its two (1954 and 1999) Protocols, thanks to the financial contribution of the Government of Austria.