Entries are now being accepted for the 2013 Unesco Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The awards recognise the achievements of the private sector and public-private initiatives in successfully conserving or restoring structures, places and properties of heritage value in the region.

Sangiin Dalai Monastery in South Gobi Aimaq, Republic of Mongolia.

The awards emphasise the importance of the conservation process, including technical achievements and the quality of the restoration work undertaken, as well as community involvement and participation in the project.

The deadline for receipt of materials is March 31. Since the awards were established in 2000, Unesco has received 469 entries from 24 countries. A total of 148 projects have received awards for high achievement in conservation, while eight projects have received the Jury Commendation for Innovation.

With support from the Macau Foundation, the awards programme is now being enhanced to have even greater impact in raising awareness about exemplary practices in conserving heritage sites around the region.

Projects involving heritage properties more than 50 years old which were completed within the last 10 years are eligible for consideration. Houses, commercial and institutional buildings, historic towns and villages, archaeological heritage sites and cultural landscapes, for example, are all suitable for entry. The project must be the result of private sector initiative or public-private partnership.

Entries for the 2013 awards must be submitted with an official entry form, project description using provided official format, drawings and photographs in hard copy and on CD-Rom to Unesco Bangkok.

Winners will be announced in August, with a selected number of entries receiving the Award of Excellence, Award of Distinction, Award of Merit, Honourable Mention and Jury Commendation for Innovation.

Last year, Mbaru Niang, a village of traditional houses on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, was honoured with the Award of Excellence.

The two Awards of Distinction were the Sethna Buildings in Mumbai, India, and the Water Systems in Hampi, India. The three Awards of Merit include the Zhizhusi Complex in Beijing, China, the Chandramauleshwar Temple in Hampi, India, and Khilingrong Mosque in Shigar, Pakistan. Two honourable mentions were also awarded. They were the William Street Precinct in Perth, Australia, and Jaisalmer Fort in Rajasthan, India.

The 2012 Jury Commendation for Innovation was awarded to the Reading Room of the Portuguese School of Macau in Macao. To apply for the 2013 awards, visit www.unescobkk.org/culture/heritageawards.

Contact Unesco Bangkok's Culture Unit on 02-391-0577 ext 509 or email culture.bgk@unesco.org.