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Statement by the Representative of the United States of America
181st Session of the Executive Board of UNESCO
April 21, 2009
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Chargé d'Affaires a.i.
Stephen Engelken
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Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen. It is an honor to address you today, at a time of transition both for my country – and for this organization.
Judging by my discussions with many of you, I doubt any one is unaware that less than 100 days ago, the United States inaugurated a new president and embarked on a new Administration. My countrymen and I are most grateful for the best wishes that many of you have so freely extended to us at this important moment in the political life of my country.
We here at UNESCO are also collectively facing our own historic moment in the evolution of this Organization, as we too prepare to embark on a fresh start.
Full Text of the Representative of the United States of America's Statement
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U.S. Ratifies UNESCO Convention to Protect Cultural Property in Time of War
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United States Chargé d’Affaires a.i. to UNESCO Stephen Engelken (center),
accompanied by U.S. Mission to UNESCO Senior Legal Adviser T. Michael Peay (left),
presents the instrument of ratification to UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura. © UNESCO/Michel Ravassard
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United States Chargé d’Affaires a.i. to UNESCO Stephen Engelken presented the instrument of ratification of the “1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict” to UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura, on March 13, 2009 at UNESCO Headquarters. Director General Matsuura expressed his great pleasure at receiving the instrument of ratification.
The United States joins 122 other nations as a party to this treaty. By taking this significant step, the U.S. demonstrates its commitment to the preservation of the world’s cultural, artistic, religious, and historic legacy.
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The U.S. signed the Convention soon after its creation, and on September 25, 2008, the Senate voted to give its advice and consent to ratification.
Written in the wake of World War II and modeled on instructions given by General Eisenhower to aid in the preservation of Europe’s cultural legacy, the treaty regulates the conduct of nations during war and military occupation in order to assure the protection of cultural sites, monuments and repositories, including museums, libraries, and archives. The Hague Convention is the oldest international agreement to exclusively address cultural heritage protection.
The United States Mission to UNESCO has worked actively on international cultural preservation as a member of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee, in close cooperation with the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of State's Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation.
Links of Interest
UNESCO Flash Info: The United States of America deposits its instrument of ratification of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict
Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property In the Event of Armed Conflict
(The Hague Convention), 14 May 1954
U.S Department of State International Cultural Property Protection
Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation
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- 03 May 2009 -
World Press Freedom Day
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Every year on May 3rd, World Press Freedom Day celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom.
Read more.
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- 23 April 2009 -
UNESCO, U.S. Library of Congress and partners launched World Digital Library
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UNESCO and 32 partner institutions launched the World Digital Library, a web site that features unique cultural materials from libraries and archives from around the world, on April 21, 2009. The site – located at www.wdl.org – includes manuscripts, maps, rare books, films, sound recordings, prints and photographs. It provides unrestricted public access, free of charge, to this material.
Full Text of Media Release
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- 02 April 2009 -
U.S. Senate Confirms
Dr. Esther Brimmer as Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations
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