UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

02/03/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 02/03/2025 12:07

Call for Entries: 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation

UNESCO has opened submissions for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation, recognizing outstanding conservation efforts across the region. The Awards celebrate private sector projects and public-private partnerships that demonstrate excellence in preserving historical sites while fostering community engagement.

Since 2000, the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation have honored 305 projects across 27 countries for their thorough understanding of historical significance, technical achievements, and impact at local, national, and regional levels. By spotlighting best practices, the Awards have helped shape regional conversations on heritage's role in sustaining cities, societies, and the environment.

In 2024, eight projects from five countries received awards, including:

  • Award of Excellence - Inari-yu Bathhouse RestorationProject(Tokyo, Japan)
  • Award of Distinction - Gunan Street Historic Block Conservation Project(Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China) with Special Recognition for Sustainable Development; Abathsahayeshwarar Temple Conservation Project(Thukkatchi, Tamil Nadu, India)
  • Award of Merit - Guanyin Hall Teahouse Conservation Project(Sichuan Province, China); Helou Pavilion Conservation Project(Shanghai, China) with Special Recognition for Sustainable Development; BJPCI Conservation Project(Mumbai, India); Observatory Tower Conservation Project(Christchurch, New Zealand)
  • Award for New Design in Heritage Contexts - Rabindhorn Building(Bangkok, Thailand)

For more details on previous award recipients: UNESCO Heritage Awards Winners

Eligibility Criteria

Projects must have been completed within the last 10 years (February 2015 - May 2025 if the pre-existing use was retained, or May 2024 if a project involved a new use). Examples of eligible projects include:

  • Houses, commercial and institutional buildings
  • Historic towns and villages
  • Archaeological sites and cultural landscapes

How to Apply

Projects must be sent by mail to UNESCO Bangkok and postmarked no later than 31 May 2025. Winners will be announced in November 2025.

Submission requirements

Applicants must complete the entry form online and submit a project dossier, including:

  • A detailed project description in the official format.
  • Supporting documentation, such as architectural drawings and high-quality photographs.

For submission details and application forms

Award Categories

There are two award categories:

  • Conservation - for projects focused on conserving or restoring heritage sites.
  • New Design - for newly-built projects design within historic contexts.

Award Levels

There are five levels of recognition:

Award of Excellence - The highest honor, presented to projects that demonstrate exceptional achievement across all criteria and major catalytic impact at the national or regional level in the Conservation category.

Award of Distinction - Given to projects that showcase outstanding achievement in all criteria and have a significant impact at the national or regional level in the Conservation category.

Award of Merit - Recognizes projects that achieve superior results in all criteria within the Conservation category.

Award for New Design in Heritage Contexts - Celebrates newly-built projects that demonstrate exceptional design quality and integrate harmoniously into historic environments. Eligible projects include annexes, extensions, new buildings, public spaces, and structures, such as bridges, which enhance the surrounding heritage setting.

Special Recognition for Sustainable Development - Introduced in 2020, this recognition highlights projects that make a significant contribution to sustainable development while meeting the broader Awards criteria. Projects submitted under both the Conservation and New Design categories are eligible.

Supporting Partnership

Since 2021, the Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation (NTFCF) has supported the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. This partnership advances transformative heritage practices across the region through diverse activities that amplify the Awards' impact.

Contact Information

For project submissions:

Culture Unit
UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok
Email: heritageawards(at)unesco.org

For media inquiries:

Communications and Public Engagement (CPE) Team
UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok
Email: cpe.bangkok(at)unesco.org

Visit the project page:
UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation

#CultureForSustainableDevelopment #HeritageAwards

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