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This new Centre was opened in September 2007 as an organizational unit of the Croatian Conservation Institute, a scientific and professional institution founded by the Republic of Croatia. In January 2009 the Centre was legally recognized as an independent institution, although it will stay closely linked to Croatian Conservation Institute. The decision to establish the Centre was based on the fact that Croatia was among the first countries to ratify the UNESCO's Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage from 2001. That was the reason for UNESCO to accept the Croatian initiative to proclaim the Centre in Zadar as a regional centre (category 2) under the auspices of UNESCO.

The main purpose of the Centre is to carry out educational activities in field of exploration, conservation and restoration of the underwater cultural heritage. It will also promote the ratification and implementation of the 2001 Convention by developing and sharing state-of-the-art methods of research in underwater archaeology, conservation and restoration, training and exchange of knowledge. The Centre will operate respecting the principles of the Convention and its annexes and it will contribute to building capacity in other countries in the region.

The Centre will have a significant regional dimension with respect to training activities and the dissemination of knowledge and research. The focus will be on the countries of the South-East Europe and wider Mediterranean region. Due to the type of archaeological finds and sites, strong cooperation with the countries in the region can be predicted.

The Republic of Croatia provides the necessary funds for the running costs of the Centre, while the funds for accomplishing particular programmes should be provided from different sources, depending on the type of programme or project. Funds for international programmes and projects will be provided from international sources.

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