UNESCO will host an international meeting at which experts will take stock of underwater heritage which is becoming ever more vulnerable due to its increasing accessibility at UNESCO Headquarters on 22 - 23 September. 
The event will examine ways to improve the protection of this heritage from pillaging, commercial exploitation and illegal trade. 
The purpose of the meeting is to support the implementation of UNESCO’s Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Heritage. 
They will examine questions concerning the monitoring of sites, pillaging and the trade in illegally or unscientifically salvaged cultural artifacts. 
UNESCO’s 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage has been designed to improve the protection of submerged heritage, in line with what is done on land. Fifty-five countries have ratified the Convention to date, committing to safeguard this heritage, banning its commercial exploitation and pillaging. The Convention also seeks to encourage the exchange of information and draw attention to the importance of this heritage.

Source : QNA