UN General Assembly boosts global fight against illegal trade in cultural artifacts | UN News
The UN General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution helping strengthen the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property and facilitating the restitution of stolen artifacts to their countries of origin.
The real-world fight continues
Within the UN system, the education, scientific and cultural agency, UNESCO, has been leading efforts in the global fight against illicit trade and trafficking of cultural heritage.
Measures include practical measures to enhance legal frameworks, improve enforcement capabilities and raise awareness among all stakeholders, as well as the development of a suite of resources to strengthen the implementation of the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.
Central to these efforts is the UNESCO Database of National Cultural Heritage Laws, which hosts over 3,100 laws from 189 countries, providing a vital resource for governments, law enforcement and cultural institutions.
UNESCO also issues web alerts to notify Member States, INTERPOL and other stakeholders about stolen cultural property, boosting cooperation.
Virtual museum
In an innovative move, UNESCO has announced it is developing a Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects, set to launch in 2025.
This groundbreaking project will feature three-dimensional (3D) models and high-quality images of stolen artifacts, accompanied by educational narratives and detailed histories.
Unlike traditional museums, its goal is to “empty its collections” as artifacts are recovered and returned to their rightful owners.
