International Cultural Heritage Conventions and the Central Asian Region: Current Framework and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Acknowledging the value and importance of culture at local, national and global levels, the international community has progressively developed a series of conventions for the protection, preservation and enhancement of cultural heritage. Each of these conventions provides a unique set of binding principles and practices that member-states must follow in order to strengthen the protection of the heritage at stake. Still, while some of these laws have been enthusiastically embraced by Central Asian countries, others have been mostly ignored or avoided. This article aims to briefly examine three issues. First, the current rate of ratification of these conventions in the Central Asian region. Second, the main reasons why some of these legal documents have not received a spread endorsement in Central Asia. Third, a tentative interpretation of Central Asian states’ intentions over the next years.