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.

This year, UNESCO especially welcomes submissions for projects conserving heritage sites that are integral to the region’s history but remain underrecognized or at risk of neglect. These include cultural landscapes, technological, industrial, and agricultural heritage, 20th-century sites, vernacular architecture, and cultural routes. Winning projects of this nature will be highlighted in a dedicated exhibition as part of the celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the Awards.

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: click here

Awards

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

• Award of Excellence – Inari-yu Bathhouse Restoration Project (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

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.