The International Centre on Space Technologies for Natural and Cultural Heritage (HIST) is the first UNESCO Category 2 Centre dedicated to promoting, testing and demonstrating the applications of space technologies for the conservation, management and sustainable development of World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks. Its establishment was approved by the 35th session of the UNESCO General Conference in 2009 and its formal operation began in July 2011.

HIST successfully completed its first six-year phase of operation from 2011 to 2017 with outstanding achievements as evaluated by UNESCO, and completed its second six-year phase from 2018 to 2023, which was acknowledged as making significant contributions to UNESCO.

Approved by China’s State Council, Mr. Hou Jianguo, President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, representing the Government of China, signed HIST’s third-phase agreement with Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO and Mr. Guo Huadong, Director of HIST, in April 2025. It marks the beginning of HIST’s third-phase operation with a focus on building a new discipline of space archaeology and improving the conservation of UNESCO-designated sites based on space technologies.

To assist UNESCO’s programme and Member States, that desire to receive such assistance, on the use of applied space technologies for UNESCO’s activities with respect to World Natural and Cultural Heritage sites, World Biosphere Reserves, and Global Geoparks.

To strengthen the capacity of UNESCO Member States to manage the sustainable development of their World Natural and Cultural Heritage, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks accommodating the impacts of natural and human-induced hazards, through the use of earth observation technologies and through education.