SOSMUN III Chair Report: UNESCO - Protecting and Preserving the Archaeological Site of Tyre in Lebanon
President Chair: Michael Alhabib
Co-Chair: Meyar Noman
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- General Overview
- Terminology
- Major Parties Involved
- Timeline
- Previous Attempts Taken to Solve this Issue
- Useful Links
- Procedure of Committee
Introduction
- Tyre's Significance:
- Tyre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of human resilience.
- Known for its ancient harbors, monumental ruins, and as a cradle of Phoenician civilization.
- Current Threats:
- Regional instability and urbanization threaten the site.
- Illegal construction, looting, and environmental factors are major challenges.
- Delegate Responsibilities:
- Propose solutions to preserve Tyre’s heritage and foster regional peace.
General Overview
- Historical Importance:
- Continuously inhabited since 2750 BCE.
- Key Phoenician city and part of various empires including Roman and Ottoman.
- Current Challenges:
- Urban expansion and unauthorized excavation threaten the site.
- Environmental threats include coastal erosion and sea-level rise.
- Lebanon’s instability hampers conservation efforts.
Terminology
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Recognized for cultural or natural significance.
- Cultural Heritage: Legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes from past generations.
- Urban Encroachment: Expansion threatening historical zones.
- Looting: Illegal excavation/theft of artifacts.
- Archaeological Conservation: Preservation actions for archaeological sites.
- Regional Instability: Political unrest impacting the region.
- Non-State Armed Groups: Threats from unofficial armed groups.
- Heritage Tourism: Tourism focused on historical and cultural experiences.
Major Parties Involved
- Lebanon: Direct responsibility for Tyre, affected by its political and economic instability.
- UNESCO: Involves international cultural heritage agreements.
- France: Supports conservation projects and cultural programs.
- Italy: Active in excavations and restoration projects.
- Germany: Supports through capacity-building and preservation training.
- United States: Provides support via the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation.
- Other Contributors: Japan, UK, Switzerland, Norway support various projects.
Timeline
- 2750 BCE: Founding of Tyre.
- 1000 BCE: Height under King Hiram I.
- 332 BCE: Siege by Alexander the Great.
- 64 BCE: Tyre joins Roman Empire.
- 7th century CE: Various rules including Islamic, Crusader, Mamluk.
- 1516-1918: Ottoman control.
- 1920-1943: French mandate and Lebanese independence.
- 1979: UNESCO World Heritage designation.
- 1982: Israeli occupation during Civil War.
- 2006: Israel-Hezbollah conflict damages.
- 2012-2015: UNESCO preservation projects initiated.
- 2019-2023: Economic collapse and political instability.
- 2025: Calls for global cooperation to protect Tyre.
Previous Attempts Taken to Solve This Issue
- UNESCO Monitoring Missions: Evaluations and recommendations.
- Awareness Campaigns: Engaging local youth.
- Remote Sensing Projects: Satellite imagery for threat detection.
- International Collaborations: Excavations and restorations.
- Protective Zoning: Designating protected zones.
- National Legislation: Lebanese laws for cultural heritage protection.
Useful Links
Procedure of Committee
- Formal Debate: Includes moderated and unmoderated caucuses.
- Speeches: Opening speeches establish positions, subsequent speeches for responses and negotiations.
- Points and Motions: Include Points of Order, Personal Privilege, and Inquiry.
- Working Papers and Draft Resolutions:
- Informal proposals lead to draft resolutions.
- Must address funding, implementation, and enforcement.
- Voting Procedure: Simple majority required, no veto power.
This chair report provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and efforts associated with protecting Tyre's archaeological heritage amidst regional instability.