Riyadh: The Conference on Trafficking in Cultural Property continued its first-day sessions with a panel discussion on the international role in heritage protection and future prospects. The session brought together representatives from major global and regional organizations involved in heritage protection, including UNESCO, ICESCO, INTERPOL, and the International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage (ALIPH).
According to Saudi Press Agency, the discussion emphasized that international cooperation is a key pillar in addressing the growing challenge of illicit trafficking in cultural property, especially given the cross-border nature of such crimes and the multiplicity of stakeholders involved. It was highlighted that Saudi Arabia, through the Heritage Commission, has become an active supporter of global efforts in this field through legislative, technological, and awareness initiatives.
The session concluded with an open dialogue that saw broad participation from representatives of various countries and organizations. Discussions focused on strengthening international coordination and enhancing mechanisms for information exchange, as well as promoting broader regional cooperation among Arab and Islamic countries to address challenges of cultural smuggling.
Participants underscored that sustaining international efforts requires long-term institutional partnerships and greater integration between legal frameworks and modern technologies to build a more effective global system for safeguarding human heritage and preserving it for future generations.