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Illicit trafficking of cultural property remains a global concern that threatens the collective memory, history, and identity of communities worldwide. The increasing use of digital platforms and social media has created new challenges, introducing additional methods used by traffickers. However, technology can also offer solutions and powerful tools to prevent and combat this crime.

UNESCO is the lead United Nations agency in culture, with a clear mandate in the fight against illicit trafficking, particularly through the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. In the face of the novel threats, UNESCO is convening an international exchange to foster dialogue and collaboration on this important issue among Member States, law enforcement, the judiciary, digital platforms, the art market, civil society, academia and heritage professionals. 

Using good practices and case studies from national, regional and international levels as a point of departure, the UNESCO Conference will explore: 

• Trends, challenges, and the latest data on the online illicit trafficking of cultural property;

• Technology solutions for cultural property protection online, including AI and other tools that are already making an impact in monitoring, tracking, and preventing illicit trafficking;

• Ethical standards and policy frameworks for online trafficking;

• Equitable access to digital tools for regions most affected by illicit trafficking, in particular conflict zones and the Global South;

• Enhanced international cooperation, knowledge sharing and involvement of major technology companies, uniting all stakeholders against a ‘common fight’; 

• Grassroots initiatives to empower youth and communities to participate in the protection of cultural heritage online.

Momentum for the fight against illicit trafficking is growing in multilateral fora. This conference builds on the outcomes of the  to the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, which called for greater engagement with technology companies to address the risks of illicit trafficking online. 

In 2024, the G7 Ministerial Declaration on Culture emphasized the need to strengthen the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property, highlighting the role of technological innovation and enhanced cooperation with digital platforms. Similarly, the Salvador da Bahia Declaration of the G20 Ministers of Culture, adopted during the G20 summit in Brazil, expressed concern over the continued looting and trafficking of cultural property, and reaffirmed the commitment to combat crimes against cultural heritage and institutions.

The historic Pact for the Future, adopted at the UN Summit of the Future in 2024, further emphasized the role of culture as both a legacy to be preserved and a catalyst for sustainable development and peace, and called for global cooperation against illicit trafficking. The upcoming UNESCO World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development - MONDIACULT 2025 will extensively discuss the protection of cultural heritage as one of the six key themes. 

The event will be webcast in English and French.