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UNESCO expresses its deep regret at the passing of H.E. Mr. Sankardja Lare-Sambiani, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Delegate of Togo to UNESCO and conveys its sincerest condolences to His Excellency’s family, the nation of Togo, and all those whose lives have been touched by his leadership. His engagement with UNESCO was longstanding, notably in the context of the protection of cultural heritage.

Mr Lare-Sambiani made substantial contributions to the work of the UNESCO Secretariat and different governing bodies guiding their work with his wisdom over the course of many years. In 2021, he was elected as the President of the Meeting of the High Contracting Parties to the 1954 Hague Convention, becoming the first African diplomat elected to this post since the adoption of this treaty. Since 2013 and the ratification of the 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage by Togo, Ambassador Lare-Sambiani has always been strongly involved in the protection of this heritage in Africa, notably through the membership of his country to the Scientific and Technical Advisory Body of the 2001 Convention.

Mr Lare-Sambiani was instrumental in establishing a thematic and operational approach to strengthen the synergies between UNESCO’s Conventions in the field of culture.  He chaired the launch of the first thematic programme, “Heritage for Peace”, which establishes cultural heritage as a vehicle for peace, provides practical responses to the needs of States Parties of the 1954 Hague Convention and its two Protocols (1954 and 1999) to protect cultural property, whether in peacetime, during armed conflict, or in post-conflict situations, and uses cultural heritage as a mediation tool in conflict prevention and resolution, as well as in post-conflict recovery.

Ernesto Ottone R., UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, expressed his condolences, noting that “With the passing of H.E. Mr. Sankardja Lare-Sambiani, the UNESCO family has lost a highly respected diplomat and friend. His service will be long remembered at UNESCO.”