Réunion des États parties à la Convention de 1970 & Séssions

Dernière mise à jour4 février 2025

Réunion des États parties

La Réunion des États parties à la Convention de 1970 est l’organe souverain de la Convention. La Réunion des États parties donne des orientations stratégiques pour la mise en œuvre de la Convention et prend toutes les mesures qu’elle juge nécessaire à la promotion des objectifs de la Convention.

La Convention de 1970 ne prévoyait initialement pas d’organe de suivi périodique. Sur la base d’une décision spécifique du Conseil exécutif de l’UNESCO en 2002, seule une réunion a été organisée en 2003. Lors de la deuxième réunion des États parties à la Convention de 1970 tenue en juin 2012, qui avait pour but la poursuite de la mise en œuvre de la Convention de 1970, les États parties ont décidé de convoquer une réunion tous les deux ans. En cas de nécessité, des " réunions extraordinaires " peuvent continuer à être convoquées à tout moment, à la demande des États parties et par le/la Directeur-trice général-e de l'UNESCO.

Eighth Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention (8.MSP)

The Eighth Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, will be held on 19 and 20 May 2025.

Simultaneous interpretation and working documents will be provided in the six official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). These, as well as general information about the session, will be made available below.

Seventh Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention (7.MSP)

The Seventh Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, will be held on 30 and 31 May 2023.

Simultaneous interpretation and working documents will be provided in the six official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish). These, as well as general information about the session, are available below.

Bureau

  • Chairperson: Mr Mariusz Lewicki (Poland)
  • Vice-Chairpersons: China, Peru, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Yemen
  • Rapporteur: Ms Vivian Asempapa (Ghana)

Resolutions 

C70/23/7.MSP/Resolutions :  |

Working documents

  • Election of the Bureau

C70/23/7.MSP/2                 |  |  |  |  |  

  • Adoption of the Provisional Agenda and Timetable

C70/23/7.MSP/3                |  |  |  |  |  

  • Report of the Secretariat on its activities

C70/23/7.MSP/7.Rev        |  |  |  |  | 

  • Examination of the draft Model Provisions on the Prevention and Fight Against the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property

C70/23/7.MSP/8                 |  |  |  |  

  • Examination of the recommendations concerning public statements issued by the Director-General, pursuant to paragraph 5 of 40C/Resolution 42 of the General Conference

C70/23/7.MSP/9                 |  |  |  |  |   

  • Report on the results of the Working Group concerning a sensitization strategy to reinforce public awareness

C70/23/7.MSP/11.Rev       |  |  |  |  |  

  • Reinforcement of periodic reports

C70/23/7.MSP/12                |  |  |  |  |   

  • Updates on activities undertaken to strengthen synergies between the 1970 Convention and other UNESCO Culture Conventions

C70/23/7.MSP/13              |  |  |  |  | 

  • Report on the use of the Fund of the 1970 Convention

C70/23/7.MSP/14.Rev       |  |  |  |  | 

  • Examination of proposed revisions to the Rules of Procedure of the Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention

C70/23/7.MSP/15              |  |  |  

  • Elections to the Subsidiary Committee of the Meeting of States Parties

C70/23/7.MSP/16.Rev       |  |  |  |  |  

 

Information Documents

  • List of documents

C70/23/7.MSP/INF.3.Rev     |  |  |  |  |  

Sixth Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention (6.MSP)

Composition 

Final documents :

  • C70/21/6.MSP/Resolutions  / 
  • C70/21/6.MSP/15.FINAL  / 

Working Documents

  • Election of the Bureau 

C70/21/6.MSP/2        |  |  |  |  |  

  • Adoption of the Agenda and Timetable of the Sixth Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention 

C70/21/6.MSP/3      |  |  |  |  |  

  • Report of the Secretariat on its Activities 

C70/21/6.MSP/7              |   |  |  |  |  

  • Follow-up to the Recommendations of the Working Group established by the Eighth Session of the Subsidiary Committee on the Public Statements of the Director-General

C70/21/6.MSP/9                    |  |  |  |  |  

  • Report on the project to reinforce synergies between the 1970 Convention and the other UNESCO Culture Conventions

C70/21/6.MSP/10               |  |  |  |  |  

  • Respective role of the 1970 Convention and the Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in case of Illicit Appropriation (ICPRCP) 

C70/21/6.MSP/11         |   |  |  |  |  

  • Report on the use of the 1970 Convention Fund

C70/21/6.MSP/12             |  |  | |  | 

  • Amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention de 1970 

C70/21/6.MSP/15        |  |  |  |  |   

  • Election of the Subsidiary Committee of the Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention  

C70/21/6.MSP/16       |  |  |  |  |  

Information Documents 

  • List of Documents 

C70/21/6.MSP/3.INF        |  |  |  |  |  

 

Follow the Sixth Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention :

  • 25 May :   |  |  |  |  |  
  • 26 May :  |  |  |  |  |  

 

 

La cinquième Réunion des États parties à la Convention de 1970 (5.MSP)

La cinquième Réunion des Etats parties à la Convention de 1970 concernant les mesures à prendre pour interdire et empêcher l’importation, l’exportation et le transfert de propriété illicites des biens culturels a eu lieu au Siège de l’UNESCO (Salle XI) à Paris le 20 et 21 mai 2019.

Cette réunion sera organisée en vertu de l'article 14.1 du de la Réunion des États parties à la Convention de 1970.

Bureau

  • Président : S. Exc. M. Irénée Bienvenu Zevounou (Bénin)
  • Vice-présidents : Afghanistan, Chili, Italie et Libye
  • Rapporteur : Mme. Anna Zeichner (Hongrie)

Documents finaux

  • Résolutions (C70/19/5.MSP/Resolutions)  | 

Documents de travail

  • Election du Bureau (C70/19/5.MSP/2)   |  |  |  |  |  
  • Adoption de l’ordre du jour et du calendrier (C70/19/5.MSP/3.REV) | | | |  | 
  • Rapport du Secrétariat sur ses activités (C70/19/5.MSP/6) | | | | | 
  • Rapport sur l’utilisation du Fonds pour la Convention de 1970 (C70/19/5.MSP/7) | | | | | 
  • Suivi des recommandations du groupe de travail à composition non limitée sur la gouvernance, les procédures et les méthodes de travail des organes directeurs de l’UNESCO (C70/19/5.MSP/8)  |  |  |  |  | 
  • Rapport des recommandations pour le renforcement de la mise en Å“uvre, de l’efficacité et de la visibilité de la Convention de 1970 (C70/19/5.MSP/10)  | |  |  |  |  
  • Élection du Comité subsidiaire de la Réunion des États parties (C70/19/5.MSP/12)  |  |  |  |  |  
  • Documents de travail sur l'amendement du Règlement intérieur de la Réunion des États parties (C70/19/5.MSP/13.REV) | | | | | 

La quatrième Réunion des États parties à la Convention de 1970 (4.MSP)

La quatrième Réunion des Etats parties à la Convention de 1970 concernant les mesures à prendre pour interdire et empêcher l’importation, l’exportation et le transfert de propriété illicites des biens culturels a eu lieu au Siège de l’UNESCO (Salle XI) à Paris le 15 et 16 mai 2017.

Cette réunion a été organisée en vertu de l'article 14.1 du de la Réunion des États parties à la Convention de 1970.

Bureau

  • Chairperson: H.E. Mr Flavio Mendez (Panama)
  • Vice-Chairpersons: Armenia, Canada, Iran and Morocco
  • Rapporteur: Ms Louise Graham (South Africa)

Final documents

  • Resolutions (C70/17/4.MSP/Resolutions)  | 

Working documents

  • Provisional Agenda (C70/17/4.MSP/2.Rev)  |  |  |  |  | 
  • Provisional Timetable (C70/17/4.MSP/3.Rev)  |  |  |  |  | 
  • Election of Bureau (C70/17/4.MSP/4)  |  |  |  |  | 
  • Secretariat’s report on its activities (June 2015 - May 2017) (C70/17/4.MSP/7)  |  |  |  |  | 
  • Follow-up to the recommendations of the Report on the Evaluation by the Internal Oversight Service of UNESCO’s Standard-setting Work of the Culture Sector (Part II) (C70/17/4.MSP/8Rev)  |  |  |  |  | 
  • UNESCO’s Actions and Proposals (Follow-up to the Resolutions of the UN Security Council) (C70/17/4.MSP/9)  |  |  |  |  | 
  • Use of the 1970 Convention Fund (C70/17/4.MSP/14)  |  |  |  |  |  
  • Amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Meeting of States Parties  (C70/17/4.MSP/15) | |  |  |  | 
  • Elections to the Subsidiary Committee of the Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention (C70/17/4.MSP/16)  |  |  |  |  | 
  • List of Participants (C70/17/4.MSP/Participants) : 

Information documents

  • Provisional List of Documents (C70/17/4.MSP/INF1)  | 
  • List of States Parties to the 1970 Convention (C70/17/4.MSP/INF.2) 

PowerPoints

 

Third Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention on the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property

According to Article 14.1 of its Rules of Procedure, the Meeting of States Parties is convened every two years. The Third Meeting will be organized from 18 to 20 May 2015 in Paris, at UNESCO Headquarters.
In addition to serving the renewal of half of the Members of the Subsidiary Committee (election of 9 new Members), the State Parties will be – among others – invited to discuss the possible adoption of the Draft Operational Guidelines which were approved by the Subsidiary Committee during its Second session from 30 June to 2 July 2014, the possible creation of a fund for the Convention as well as the recommendations proposed by the Office of Internal Oversight Service of UNESCO (IOS) in the ‘Evaluation Report on the 1970 Convention’ (IOS/EVS/PI/133REV.4) published in April 2014.

Furthermore, taking into consideration the ongoing situation in certain countries, such as in Iraq, Libya and Syria, and the devastating impact of looting and illicit trafficking of cultural property on our shared heritage, the States Parties to the 1970 Convention are strongly encouraged to inform the Meeting of States Parties on the actions undertaken for the protection and safeguarding of cultural heritage at risk, particularly within the context of the United Security Council Resolution 2199 (15 February 2015).

Rules of procedure: EN | FR

Oral Report

  • Oral Report of the Rapporteur: EN/FR

Final documents

  • Resolutions (C70/15/3.MSP/RESOLUTIONS): EN | FR
  • Final Report (C70/15/3.MSP/Report): EN | FR

Working documents 

  • Election of the Bureau (C70/15/3.MSP/2): EN | FR | SP | RU | AR | CH
  • Provisional Agenda (C70/15/3.MSP/3.REV): EN | FR | SP | RU | AR | CH
  • Report of the Subsidiary Committee (C70/15/3.MSP/5A): EN | FR | SP | RU | AR | CH
  • Roadmap for the fulfillment of the functions of the Subsidiary Committee (C70/15/3.MSP/5B): EN | FR | SP | RU | AR | CH
  • Report of the Secretariat (C70/15/3.MSP/6): EN | FR | SP | AR | RU | CH
  • Election of the Subsidiary Committee (C70/15/3.MSP/7): EN | FR | SP | RU | AR | CH
  • Follow-up to the recommendations of the Report on the Evaluation by the Internal Oversight Service of UNESCO’s Standard-setting Work of the Culture Sector (Part II) and strategic discussions (C70/15/3.MSP/8): EN | FR | SP | RU | AR | CH
  • Report on the Secretariat’s Emergency Actions (C70/15/3.MSP/9): EN | FR | SP | RU | AR | CH
  • Consideration of the possibility to create a Fund for the 1970 Convention (C70/15/3.MSP/10): EN | FR | SP | RU | AR | CH
  • Discussions on possible adoption of the draft Operational Guidelines: (C70/15/3.MSP/11): EN | FR | SP | RU | AR | CH

Information documents

  • Provisional Timetable (C70/15/3.MSP/INF.3A.REV): EN | FR
  • Provisional List of Documents (C70/15/3.MSP/INF.3B.REV): EN | FR

Extraordinary Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention

This meeting took place on 1st July 2013, at UNESCO Headquarters

Given that it is urgent for UNESCO and its Member States to pursue the discussions on a better implementation of this treaty, the preparation and submission of recommendations and operational guidelines has become a priority for many States Parties.

Consequently, the Director-General proposed during the 190th session of the Executive Board to convene an Extraordinary Meeting of States Parties in 2013 – or one year before the time frame specified in the Rules of Procedure.  The main mandate of this meeting was to elect the 18 members of the Subsidiary  Committee, to enable the latter to meet from 2013 (2-3 July).

Rules of Procedure

The  have been adopted during the Second Meeting of States Parties in June 2012.

Bureau

  • Chairperson: Ms Flora Van Regteren Altena (the Netherlands)
  • Vice-Chairs: Bulgaria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Honduras and Iraq
  • Rapporteur: Ms Humaira Zia Mufti (Pakistan)

Introductory Speech

  • Mr Francesco Bandarin, Assistant Director-General for Culture 

Final documents

  • Resolutions adopted by the Extraordinary Meeting of States Parties  |  |  |  |  | 
  • Final Report (C70/13/EXTRA.MSP/Rapport):  | 

Working documents

  • Election of the Bureau (C70/13/EXTRA.MSP/1):   |  |  |  |  |   
  • Provisional agenda (C70/13/EXTRA.MSP/2/REV):  |  |  |  |  | 
  • Election of the 18 Members of the Subsidiary Committee (C70/13/EXTRA.MSP/3):  |  |  |  |  | 

Information documents

  • List of participants (C70/13/EXTRA.MSP/INF.1): 

Second Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention

UNESCO Headquarters, Room II, Paris, France, 20-21 June 2012

The Meeting was tasked with examining in depth the impact of measures taken by States Parties to the Convention in order to optimize its implementation, appraise its effectiveness with particular regard to new trends in trafficking in cultural property, and formulate strategies geared primarily to improve its application. The States Parties and non-parties were supported in their consideration by the leading international experts in the relevant fields.

During this meeting the States Parties, inter alia, adopted Rules of Procedure whereby they established that the Meeting of States Parties shall be convened every two years. These Rules of Procedure also define the arrangements for the election of a Subsidiary Committee of 18 members (Article 14.4) which shall be convened by the Secretariat every year (Article 14.2). In addition, the Rules of Procedure specify the functions that shall be performed by the subsidiary committee once it has been elected, including, in particular, the preparation of guidelines contributing to the implementation of the Convention (Article 14.6).

  • Rules of Procedure:  | 

Chairperson, Vice-Chairs and Rapporteur

  • Chairperson: H.E. Mr D. Carlos de Icaza (Mexico)
  • Vice-Chairs: Cambodia, Egypt, Greece, Senegal
  • Rapporteur: Ms Henrietta Galambos (Hungary)

Oral Report

  • Oral Report of the Rapporteur:  | 

Final documents

  • Resolutions (C70/12/2.MSP/Resolutions):  | 
  • Final Report (C70/12/2.MSP/Report):  | 

Working documents

  • Election of the Bureau (C70/12/2.MSP/1):  | 
  • Provisional agenda (C70/12/2.MSP/2):  | 
  • Draft rules of procedure (C70/12/2.MSP/3):  |  |  |  |  | 
  • Final list of observers (C70/12/2.MSP/4):  | 
  • Report of the Secretariat (C70/12/2.MSP/5):  |  |  |  |  | 
  • Proposals concerning the follow-up on the implementation of the Convention (C70/12/2.MSP/6):  |  |  |  |  | 

Information documents

  • Provisional calendar (C70/12/2.MSP/INF.1):  | 
  • Proposals for strategies to improve the implementation of the 1970 Convention (C70/12/2.MSP/INF. 2) :  |  |  |  |  | 
  • List of available documents (C70/12/2.MSP/INF.4): 
  • Documents transmitted by the Permanent Delegation of Peru to UNESCO (doc.1  | , doc.2  | , doc.3  | , doc.4  | , doc.5  | )

Expert writings

  • L.V. Prott, Strengths and Weaknesses of the 1970 Convention: An Evaluation 40 years after its adoption, 2nd edition  |  | 
  • L.V. Prott, Protection of archaeological objects under the 1970 UNESCO Convention  |  | 
  • C. Bákula: Combating trafficking in cultural property - The 1970 Convention: Evaluation and prospects  |  | 
  • M. Cornu: Implementation of the 1970 UNESCO Convention in Europe  | 
  • K. Farmer: Implementing the 1970 Convention: The Caribbean in Review  | 
  • R. Fraoua: Legislative and institutional measures to combat trafficking in cultural property in Arab States  | 
  • P. Gerstenblith: Expert Report for participants in the Second Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention  |  | 
  • K.-G. Lee: An overview of the implementation of the 1970 Convention in Asia  | 
  • F. Shyllon: Implementation of the 1970 UNESCO Convention by African Sates: the failure to grasp the nettle  | 

Observers

  • All Member States and Associate Members of UNESCO not party to the 1970 Convention referred to in paragraphs 7 and 8 of Document ;
  • The organizations of the United Nations system referred to in paragraphs 9-11(a) of Document ;
  • The intergovernmental organizations referred to in paragraph 11(b) of  Document ;
  • The international non-governmental organizations referred to in paragraph 11(c) of Document ;
  • The supplementary categories referred to in the annex to document , which may be proposed by States Parties until 15 May 2012.

40th anniversary of the 1970 Convention

14 November 2010 marked the 40th anniversary of the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. On the 40th anniversary of the Convention, UNESCO revisits the history of the Convention, and takes stock of its accomplishments, its strength and its weaknesses and examines principal challenges.

In light of the problem of illegal excavations and trade of archaeological objects, the 1970 Convention now stands at a crossroads. Many UNESCO Member States would like to increase its visibility, improve its implementation at national level and carefully re-examine its future.

91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ responded by organizing a media event on 15 and 16 March 2011. It will include a round table open to public and the press on the fight against the illicit traffic of cultural property, a press conference and a forum of reflections, intended for UNESCO Member States and leading experts, on the 1970 Convention and the illicit trafficking of the archaeological properties from illegal excavations. Both events will take place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.



  • Press

  • April
  • Une sonnette d’alarme face aux pillages, Al-Ahram, 6 avril 2011 
  • , Huffpost Arts, 5 April 2011
  • , El Correo Gallego, 3 de abril de 2011 
  • Le trafic des biens culturels : compte-rendu de la Convention de l’UNESCO, Le Club du Millénaire, 2 avril 2011 
  • Au musée des Å“uvres invisibles, Libération, 2 avril 2011 
  • March
  • L'arte minacciata: guerra e malavita i principali nemici della bellezza, Il Messaggero,31 Marzo 2011
  • L'Unesco tire la sonnette d'alarme, La Presse de Tunisie, 28 mars 2011 
  • Egypt's Museums: UNESCO to the rescue, Al-Masry Al-Youm, 22 March 2011 
  • La CITES partage son expérience avec l’Unesco, CITES, 21 mars 2011
  • , Jeune Afrique, 21 mars 2011
  • Turkey wants its Ä°znik pottery back from France, Daily News and Economic Review,18 March 2011 
  • , Science et Avenir.fr,18 mars 2011
  • France: UNESCO mobilizes experts, civil society partners to safeguard heritage in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Afrique en ligne,17 March 2011 
  • L’Unesco sonne l’urgence pour contrer les pillages des sites antiques en Egypte, Le Monde, 17 mars 2011
  • , Podcastjournal, 16 mars 2011
  • Inquiétude grandissante de l'Unesco pour les sites archéologiques égyptiens, Agence France Presse, 15 mars 2011
  • Le trafic des biens culturels dans le monde s’intensifie, Les Echos, 15 mars 2011
  • , Le Figaro, 15 mars 2011 
  • L’Unesco peine à réguler sa lutte contre les trafics, Libération, 15 mars 2011
  • España participa en el 40 aniversario de la convención de la Unesco contra el tráfico ilícito de bienes culturales, Región Digital, 15 de marzo de 2011
  • Conmemoran el 40 aniversario de la Convención contra el tráfico ilícito, Terra, 15 de marzo de 2011 
  • UNESCO marks 40 years since ban on illegal art trade, The Voice of Russia, 15 March 2011
  • , La Cerca, 14 de marzo de 2011
  • Traffic illicite de biens culturels, South’s Ways Invest, 12 mars 2011 
  • , AllAfrica,11 mars 2011 
  • , Connaissance des Arts, 11 mars 2011
  • 40 ans de lutte contre le trafic illicite de biens culturels, Afiavi, 10 mars 2011
  • , Policultures, 9 mars 2011
  • Le retour des biens culturels en débat, Le Journal des Arts, 4 mars 2011
  • February
  • Séminaire à l’Unesco sur la Convention de 1970 : bilan et perspectives, Vieilles Maisons ¹ó°ù²¹²Ôç²¹¾±²ões, 25 février 2011 

More:

  • of the Director-General, Mrs Irina Bokova, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the 1970 Convention, 15 March 2011 (in French)
  • "", Background paper, 2nd edition, by Lyndel V. Prott
  • Articles by experts
     

    Articles by Experts - 2015

  • Neuer, J-J. & Hance, C.: A Common Standard of Due Diligence in Art Practice: towards a harmonization of restitution claims
  • Cornu M.: Implementation of the 1970 UNESCO Convention in Europe
     | 
  • Farmer K.: Implementing the 1970 Convention: The Caribbean in Review
     | 
  • Fraoua R.: Legislative and institutional measures to combat trafficking in cultural property in Arab States
     | 
  • Gerstenblith P.: Expert Report for participants in the Second Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention
     |  | 
  • Lee K.-G.: An overview of the implementation of the 1970 Convention in Asia
     | 
  • Prott L.V.: Strengths and Weaknesses of the 1970 Convention: An Evaluation 40 years after its adoption, 2nd edition
     |  | 
  • Prott L.V.: Protection of archaeological objects under the 1970 UNESCO Convention
     |  | 
  • Shyllon F.: Implementation of the 1970 UNESCO Convention by African Sates: the failure to grasp the nettle
     | 
  • Articles by Experts - 2012

40 years combat against the illicit trafficking of cultural property
This video clip was produced on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the 1970 Convention, to highlight the importance of international cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property, as well as the valuable work of specialized police forces on the fight against illicit trafficking.


40 years combat against the illicit trafficking of cultural property
This video clip was produced on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the 1970 Convention, to highlight the importance of international cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property, as well as the valuable work of specialized police forces on the fight against illicit trafficking.

First Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention

13 octobre 2003, Siège de l'UNESCO, Paris, France

Cette réunion a été organisée conformément au paragraphe 9(b) de la décision , et compte tenu du document (Suite donnée à la Convention concernant les mesures à prendre pour interdire et empêcher l'importation, l'exportation et le transfert de propriété illicites des biens culturels (1970) : Rapports des États membres et autres États Parties sur les mesures qu'ils ont adoptées pour y donner suite). 

  • Recommandations:  | 
  • Rapport final:   |