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.

UNESCO has 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.

• Programme
• Speakers
• Public debate webcast
• Press
• Pictures
• Report

More:

• Information kit
• Speech of the Director-General, Mrs Irina Bokova, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the 1970 Convention, 15 March 2011 (in French)
• "Strengths and Weaknesses of the 1970 Convention: An Evaluation 40 years after its adoption", Background paper, 2nd edition, by Lyndel V. Prott
• Articles by experts

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.