Jakarta, Indonesia — The U.S. Department of State, in partnership with the Antiquities Coalition, convened a high-level U.S.-ASEAN event, “Safeguarding Southeast Asia’s Heritage: Strengthening ASEAN–U.S. Cooperation to Combat Cultural Property Trafficking,” April 8-9 in Jakarta. The two-day conference brought together senior officials, law enforcement representatives, diplomats, legal experts, and scholars from across Southeast Asia and the United States to strengthen cooperation against illicit trade in cultural objects.
In opening remarks, U.S. Embassy Jakarta Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Peter M. Haymond said, “The theft and trafficking of cultural objects is not an abstract issue. It harms real communities, erodes trust in institutions, and strengthens the hands of criminals. Protecting cultural heritage is, therefore, about much more than preserving the past. It is about defending our borders, our citizens, and the rule of law today.”
Director General of Cultural Diplomacy, Promotion, and Cooperation at the Indonesian Ministry of Culture Endah T. D. Restnoastuti said, “Safeguarding cultural heritage is a shared responsibility to future generations. Indonesia remains committed to working with ASEAN Member States and partners in advancing this agenda.”
Deborah Lehr, Chairman and Founder of the Antiquities Coalition, noted,
“Safeguarding cultural heritage is not only about preserving the past—it is about securing the future. These objects embody the identity, creativity, and shared history of communities, offering a sense of unity and belonging that cannot be replaced. When they are looted, countries are robbed not only of their heritage, but of the opportunities—cultural, social, and economic—that come with it. Strengthening partnerships like those between the United States and ASEAN is essential to ensuring that heritage remains a source of pride and prosperity for generations to come.”
Over two days, participants examined the scale and evolving nature of the illicit trade in cultural property in Southeast Asia, including how traffickers exploit archaeological sites, religious institutions, and post conflict environments. They also discussed the role of the global art market and financial systems in either enabling or deterring trafficking, and how stronger due diligence, provenance research, and regulatory frameworks can reduce demand for looted objects. Drawing on lessons from successful repatriations and investigations in Cambodia, Indonesia, and across the region, the program highlighted how coordinated action by governments, law enforcement, museums, and civil society can recover important cultural objects and dismantle criminal networks.
A significant focus of the discussions centered on the use of Cultural Property Agreements (CPAs) between the United States and partner countries to prevent the import of looted cultural objects. Experts and officials outlined how CPAs have helped countries protect their heritage, supported law enforcement efforts, and signaled international recognition of the importance of safeguarding cultural property. Participants examined the process of negotiating and implementing these agreements, including legal requirements, interagency coordination, and long-term obligations, and considered how more ASEAN member states might benefit from this framework.
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. to ASEAN Joy M. Sakurai closed the program by highlighting how this cooperation reinforces national and regional security. “Close U.S.-ASEAN cooperation to combat cultural property trafficking is crucial to disrupting the financial networks of transnational criminal groups and preventing art collectors and other consumers from unwittingly supporting illegal activities. We look forward to advancing this work here in Jakarta and next month in Manila,” CDA Sakurai said.
Looking ahead, organizers and participants anticipate that this event will serve as a catalyst for more formalized cooperation between the United States and ASEAN on combating cultural property trafficking.