Deadline Date: June 30, 2026
The Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2026 recognize outstanding efforts in preserving cultural heritage across the Asia-Pacific region through exemplary conservation projects.
The program focuses on the conservation of cultural heritage sites, recognition of private sector initiatives and public–private partnerships, preservation of historical and architectural significance, community engagement in heritage conservation, and promotion of cultural landscapes, industrial and agricultural heritage, 20th-century sites, vernacular architecture, and cultural routes.
UNESCO has opened submissions for the 2026 edition of the Awards, inviting nominations for conservation projects that demonstrate excellence in safeguarding historical places while also strengthening community involvement. The initiative highlights the importance of protecting cultural identity through sustainable and well-executed restoration and preservation practices.
The Awards place special emphasis this year on encouraging participation from underrepresented subregions, including Central and West Asia and the Pacific. Projects connected to diverse heritage types such as cultural landscapes, technological and industrial sites, agricultural heritage systems, and modern-era cultural assets are strongly encouraged for submission.
Eligible projects must have been completed within the last ten years. This includes projects finalised between March 2016 and June 2026 where the original use of the site has been retained, or up to June 2025 in cases where a new use has been introduced. The eligibility criteria ensure that recently completed and relevant conservation efforts are recognised.
Examples of eligible conservation projects include houses, commercial and institutional buildings, historic towns and villages, archaeological sites, and cultural landscapes. These categories reflect the broad scope of heritage conservation considered under the Awards framework.
For more information, visit UNESCO.
