A PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE PRESERVATION OF COASTAL AND UNDERWATER CULTURAL HERITAGE HELD WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE TURKIC CULTURE AND HERITAGE FOUNDATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF COP31

On 13 November 2026, a panel discussion entitled “The Impacts of Climate Change on Coastal and Underwater Cultural Heritage” was held at the Türkiye Ocean and Seas Pavilion within the framework of the 31st Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31), with the support of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation.

The panel discussion, moderated by Nuri Aksu, Project Manager of the Foundation, opened with welcoming remarks by Prof. Dr. Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, and Nigar Arpadarai, Member of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and COP29 High-Level Climate Champion.

The panel featured presentations by Dr. Laro Canora González from the IHCantabria Research Institute (Spain), Prof. Massimo Capulli from the University of Udine (Italy), Prof. Błażej Stanisławski from the Polish Academy of Sciences, and Assoc. Prof. Hakan Öniz, representing the UNESCO UNITWIN Network for Underwater Archaeology at Akdeniz University.

The discussions focused on the threats posed by rising sea levels, coastal erosion, increasing seawater temperatures, and extreme weather events to coastal settlements, ancient port cities, and underwater archaeological heritage sites.

The speakers emphasized that climate change has a significant impact not only on natural ecosystems but also on cultural heritage sites that embody humanity’s shared historical memory. In this context, they highlighted the importance of scientific cooperation, the application of digital documentation methods, and the strengthening of international partnerships in the documentation, monitoring, and preservation of coastal and underwater cultural heritage.

The panel discussion also underscored the need to recognize cultural heritage as an integral component of climate policies and climate change adaptation strategies.

The event made an important contribution to efforts aimed at safeguarding cultural heritage in the face of climate-related challenges, promoting the exchange of scientific knowledge and expertise in this field, and strengthening international cooperation.