On Greek Initiative, 128 Countries Join Forces to Safeguard Cultural Property

On the initiative of Greek Alternate Culture Minister Nikos Xydakis, 128 UNESCO Convention signees have agreed to join forces and adopt measures that respect international law, the UNESCO International Code of Ethics for Dealers in Cultural Property and the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums, in order to effectively tackle the illegal trade, destruction and pillaging of cultural property as well as introduce secure ways to control transactions of art online.

A total of 128 countries have committed to making every effort to stop the illegal trafficking of antiquities and cultural property, which has taken alarming proportions particularly with regard to the massive destructions in the Middle East, where looting of cultural heritage and illegal excavations have led to an increase of illegal trade of cultural goods.

The Statement of the 3rd Meeting of States parties to the UNESCO 1970 Convention appeals to all states to work together on an intergovernmental level and urges the active participation of all interested third parties active in the fields of art and culture to raise public awareness concerning the respect and protection of cultural property.

The Greek minister proposed the “Stop Illicit Trafficking” initiative during UNESCO’s international conference on cultural property held in Paris earlier this month – the third such meeting since 1970.