On 14 April 2022, the World Customs Organization (WCO) announced that in times of armed conflict, measures to protect cultural heritage should be reinforced, notably in the framework of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 1970 Convention against illicit trafficking of cultural property.
UNESCO, International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization), WCO and International Federation of Art and Antique Dealer Associations (CINOA) call upon professionals and the public involved in the trade of cultural property to refrain from acquiring or taking part in the import, export or transfer of ownership of cultural property when they have reasonable cause to believe that the objects have been stolen, illegally alienated, clandestinely excavated or illegally exported from Ukraine.
More information on the “Cultural Heritage Programme” is accessible at:
