Doha, Qatar – 09, September, 2024 – Qatar National Library hosted the third Doha Workshop on Combating Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Heritage, hearing from local, regional and international experts on how best to protect the history of the Arab region and the Middle East.

Under the theme “Strengthening Legislative and Legal Frameworks and Building Institutional Capacities”, this four-day event has been organized in collaboration with the American, Italian, and French embassies in Doha, and offers a vital platform for boosting institutional capacity and fostering effective regional cooperation. It falls within Qatar National Library’s role as the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Preservation and Conservation Regional Center for the Arab world and the Middle East.

The event brought together a diverse group of regional and international experts from most countries in the region as well as representatives from specialized agencies such as UNESCO, UNIDROIT, ICESCO, and the Carabinieri Unit of Rome for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, etc.

Tan Huism, Executive Director of Qatar National Library, emphasized the Library’s commitment to combating illicit trade since the launch of the Himaya Project in 2020, under which the event falls.

“Illicit trafficking leads to more than material losses; it erodes cultural identity and fuels unlawful activities that finance conflicts,” she said. “By leading initiatives against the illicit trade in cultural objects, the Library reinforces its role as a custodian of our heritage, preserving documentary treasures and cultural artifacts through international cooperation.”

The workshop's first day featured a comprehensive introduction to the international legal framework, including discussions on the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. There was also a focus on the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention, which provides supplementary legal rules on the return and restitution of cultural objects.

The day concluded with a review of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) study on legislative strategies for combating illicit trafficking in the Arab region.

The second day will explore the concept of antiquities and heritage within Arab culture and international legal frameworks, emphasis placed on enhancing national legislation to combat cultural property trafficking. Participants engaged in discussions about the need for cooperation between market countries and countries of origin to address the international nature of illicit cultural goods trade.

The third and fourth days concentrated on the restitution and return of cultural property and highlighted the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and cultural institutions.

“Our cultural heritage is a testament to our collective journey as humans and a beacon for future generations. Our culture is what defines us. Its protection serves to benefit all of us during the U.S. Qatar’s strategic dialogue. The United States and Qatar stress the importance of cooperation and coordination and heritage protection as a means to promote peace, security, economic prosperity, good governance and mutual understanding,” said U.S. Ambassador Timmy Davis.

“The United States has long been committed to the fight against the illicit trafficking and cultural property,” he added. “Our efforts are rooted in a legislative and legal framework designed to protect cultural heritage both domestically and internationally. This includes the implementation of U.S. international laws to prevent the importation of stolen artifacts. The Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act is another example. It serves as a cornerstone that enables the United States to oppose import restrictions on archeological and ethnological materials and reflects our dedication to upholding international agreements such as the 1970 UNESCO convention and supporting countries of origin in their efforts to safeguard their cultural heritage.”

Italy’s Ambassador to Qatar, His Excellency Paolo Toschi, said his country has been committed to collaborating with international partners to advance efforts to fight illicit trafficking.

“The Italian Embassy in Doha and Qatar National Library are close partners in many important projects of bilateral cultural cooperation. Among these, Himaya stands as the proof of our joint commitment to the protection of cultural heritage, with Italy being a major partner of this initiative since its first edition,” H.E. said.

“This year, our contribution is highlighted by the presence of Prof. Manlio Frigo, one of the most recognized scholars on the matter of legal disputes related to cultural artifacts; Giuliana Ciriello, Head of Copyright Department at the Ministry of Culture; and Marshal Antonella Spagnuolo, from the Carabinieri Unit for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, a unique Italian institution active across the globe,” H.E. added.

H.E. explained that preserving heritage is key to fostering mutual understanding among people and promoting peace and development. “In times of international instability,” he said, “we are proud to share our recognized expertise on the sensitive topic of trafficking of cultural objects in Qatar and in the whole MENA region to prevent illicit circulation, and to promote capacity building and resilience.”

H.E. Jean-Baptiste Faivre, France’s Ambassador to Qatar, said: “France is deeply committed to all these issues. Our partnership in Qatar has been gaining momentum in recent years on a multitude of levels, including in the field of combat against illegal trafficking in cultural heritage.”

This year’s edition of the workshop builds on the outcomes of the last event, which brought together regional and international experts to discuss major challenges in the fight against illicit trafficking. Participants touched on the importance of unifying frameworks and legal policies at the regional level, updating outdated laws, and integrating effective international laws into national legislation - topics that topped this year’s agenda.

The workshop is part of a broader series of initiatives by the Library to combat the illicit trade of cultural items. In May, the Library hosted a session on combating the trafficking of documentary heritage in the MENA region during the 45th Conference of MELCom International, the renowned European Association of Middle East Librarians. Additionally, within the framework of the Himaya Project, a webinar was held in March to explore the use of Interpol’s tools in the fight against the trafficking of cultural property.

The smuggling of heritage items has been on the rise, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa due to conflict and instability. The Himaya Project aims to foster strong collaboration between international organizations and governments to safeguard documentary heritage and combat the illicit trafficking of cultural items.