ASEAN States Continue to Fight Illicit Trade in Cultural Property
October 16, 2024
Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have released their 2024 Vision Statement as part of the organization’s 44th and 45th Summits, held in the People’s Democratic Republic of Lao, this year’s Chair.
In sign of the ASEAN’s continued prioritization of cultural heritage, this guiding document announced a new regional initiative:
“We noted the significant efforts to protect, preserve and promote our rich cultural heritage through deepening cooperation with partners in the areas of research, capacity-building and digital culture, and the development of the feasibility study on the envisaged ASEAN Cultural Heritage List.”
ASEAN’s ten governments are already home to 55 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The ASEAN Cultural Heritage List (ACHL) would complement UNESCO’s efforts to inventory significant heritage while also addressing the region’s specific needs.
The ACHL would also be a boon to agencies responsible for enforcing ASEAN member states’ four regional legal instruments for the protection of cultural property. Databases give authorities a way to identify artifacts, helping authorities catch stolen antiquities, eliminating the payout for looters.
In 2022, Cambodia used its platform as ASEAN Chair to unite the region in the fight against the looting and trafficking of cultural heritage—a transnational crime that is still threatening Southeast Asia’s rich heritage, local communities, and national economies. That same year, the Antiquities Coalition joined the Kingdom’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts in recruiting high-level experts to share global best practices at a convening titled, “The Prevention of the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Properties: An ASEAN Perspective.”
Following Cambodia’s leadership on this issue, ASEAN continues to address cultural destruction and looting. Their strong statement recognized that the illicit trade is a serious transnational crime threatening Southeast Asia’s rich heritage and harming local communities. Safeguarding cultural heritage and building a responsible market are goals pursuant to ASEAN’s broader goals of maintaining and enhancing peace, security, and stability, and committed to collaboration.
The Antiquities Coalition commends the members of ASEAN for their enduring dedication to protecting cultural property.
Read the full statement here.
Learn more about past ASEAN Commitments, here.