Rene Maheu Biography and Timeline

Coordination of Nubian Campaign

Maheu coordinates international excavation, documentation and monument-relocation projects.

Role range: 1961-1974

Education Development Coordination

Rene Maheu became Director General as UNESCO strengthened international cooperation in education and cultural preservation.

Nubian Salvage Executive Committee

UNESCO created an executive committee to coordinate donors and technical work for the international Nubian rescue campaign.

Sudanese Nubia Experts Conference

Experts met to consider measures for protecting the archaeological monuments of Sudanese Nubia from the impending inundation.

International Salvage Executive Committee Created

UNESCO's General Conference established an executive committee to coordinate technical decisions and funding for the Nubian monuments campaign.

International Cultural Cooperation Projects

During Rene Maheu's tenure UNESCO continued developing multinational programmes linking scientific and cultural institutions.

Abu Simbel Transfer Agreement Signed

UNESCO campaign representatives and supporting governments reached an agreement in Cairo for the massive Abu Simbel relocation project.

Abu Simbel Rescue Operation

Maheu supports the international operation to cut and relocate the Abu Simbel temples.

Role range: 1961-1974

General History Of Africa Project

UNESCO advanced the General History of Africa initiative to support scholarship presenting African history through African perspectives.

Nubian Campaign Fundraising

Maheu encourages member states to finance archaeological rescue and temple relocation.

Role range: 1961-1974

Pacific Tsunami Warning Cooperation

UNESCO supported the development of regional tsunami warning cooperation in the Pacific to improve scientific monitoring and public safety.

Completion of Abu Simbel Relocation

UNESCO celebrates successful reassembly of the Abu Simbel temples above the reservoir.

Role range: 1961-1974

Abu Simbel Rescue Completed

The relocation of the Abu Simbel temples was completed through an international campaign coordinated by UNESCO with Egyptian authorities and partner countries.

Philae International Appeal Launched

UNESCO appealed for renewed international assistance to rescue the temple buildings on Philae from damaging water conditions.

Abu Simbel Temple Reassembly Completed

UNESCO coordinated international work that successfully reconstructed the Abu Simbel temples on higher ground.

Cultural Property Convention Adopted

UNESCO adopted the convention addressing illicit import export and transfer of ownership of cultural property.

Philae Preservation Agreements Authorised

UNESCO authorised its Director General to conclude agreements with Egyptian authorities and donor countries for the rescue of Philae.

Man And Biosphere Programme

UNESCO launched the Man and the Biosphere Programme to link ecological research with sustainable relationships between people and nature.

World Heritage Convention Adopted

UNESCO's General Conference adopted the World Heritage Convention creating a framework for cooperation in protecting outstanding cultural and natural sites.

Biosphere Research Networks Develop

The Man and the Biosphere Programme developed international scientific networks for investigating ecosystems and human environmental pressures.