New forms of agreements and cooperation on the return and restitution of cultural property - 1970 Convention

On 27 June 2023, UNESCO hosts an open and inclusive debate event dedicated to the topic of return and restitution of cultural property. Experts from different regions present cases that demonstrate new forms of agreements and partnerships regarding requests for return and restitution, as well as loans or exchanges, of cultural property. The event will bring together Member States, cultural heritage and law enforcement professionals, experts, partner organizations, as well as representatives from art market. The event will provide Member States with a concrete and updated overview of emerging types of agreements, including inter-institutional and inter-state, and enrich the work of the Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property (ICPRCP). This will also be an opportunity to take stock of recent developments concerning return and restitution of cultural property in museums and cultural institutions, and to discuss avenues and actions for such institutions. UNESCO will jointly open the session with the Chairperson of the 23rd session of the ICPRCP, H.E. Ms. Rachel Annick Ogoula Akiko, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Gabon to UNESCO. This is the first of a series of dynamic exchanges in the field of return and restitution to be organized by UNESCO, concretely responding to the mandate given by Member States through the MONDIACULT 2022 Declaration. This event will take place in presential with possibility to follow online.