Member States invited to report on the implementation of Recommendation on Documentary Heritage

UNESCO has launched the third consultation on the implementation of the 2015 Recommendation concerning the Preservation of, and Access to, Documentary Heritage including in Digital Form, inviting Member States to report on measures taken over the past four years to implement this standard-setting instrument.

To support the preparation of national reports, Member States are encouraged to organize consultations with the relevant ministries and institutions, including key memory institutions, national Memory of the World committees, professional associations, civil society partners and National Commissions for UNESCO.

As outlined in the circular letter issued by the Director-General of UNESCO, Khaled El-Enany, Member States are invited to designate a national focal point who will be granted access to the online reporting questionnaire. Member States are requested to communicate the name and contact details of their focal point to the Secretariat. Those who have not yet received their access code are invited to contact the Secretariat at 2015recommendation-ci@unesco.org.

To facilitate the reporting process, UNESCO will also organize an online information session for National Commissions for UNESCO on the implementation of normative instruments, including a dedicated presentation on the 2015 Recommendation.

Based on the information received, the Secretariat will prepare the third consolidated report on the implementation of the Recommendation, which will be submitted to the 227th session of UNESCO’s Executive Board in autumn 2027. Together with the comments of the Committee on Conventions and Recommendations, the report will subsequently be presented to the 44th session of the General Conference in 2027.

Adopted in 2015, the Recommendation represents the international community’s shared commitment to safeguarding documentary heritage - the memory of the peoples of the world and a reflection of their cultural diversity. It provides Member States with a framework to strengthen policies and actions for the preservation and accessibility of documentary heritage, particularly in the face of growing challenges such as natural disasters, conflict, technological obsolescence and the passage of time.

The first two consultation cycles demonstrated the value of the Recommendation in supporting national policy development, strengthening institutional cooperation, mobilizing resources, advancing digitization initiatives, and improving long-term preservation and access to documentary heritage. The third consultation will provide an opportunity for Member States to share new experiences, identify emerging challenges, and highlight good practices, contributing to the continued implementation and effectiveness of the Recommendation worldwide.

• The implementation report on the 2015 Recommendation should be submitted in English or French, no later than 28 February 2027, by completing the online questionnaire.

• To access the questionnaire, Member States must use the access code (token) provided by the Secretariat. Member States are requested to designate a national focal point and communicate the focal point’s contact details to the Secretariat by 31 August 2026.

• Member States encouraged to consult the Implementation Guidelines, which provide practical guidance on the application of the provisions of the 2015 Recommendation and support the preparation of national reports.

• Reports submitted by Member States will be made available on UNESCO’s website to facilitate the exchange of information and good practices. The first and second consolidated implementation reports are available on the 2015 Recommendation webpage.

The Programme was established in 1992 to safeguard documentary heritage for present and future generations. Guided by the 2015 UNESCO Recommendation on the Preservation of, and Access to, Documentary Heritage including in Digital Form, the Programme facilitates the preservation and accessibility of these vital records, while raising public awareness of their value. Its innovative digital tools further enhance accessibility, bringing history to life in engaging and meaningful ways.