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Workshop on combating illicit cross-border trafficking in cultural property in OSCE Asian Partners for Cooperation Region

Description

As the 2019 Chair of the OSCE Asian Contact Group for Cooperation, Italy, in co-operation with the Delegation and Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sport of Mongolia and the Border Security and Management Unit of the OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department, is organising an expert workshop for a group of experts and policy and decision making officials and operational experts from OSCE Asian Partners for Cooperation Region’s border security and management agencies, on the topic of combating illicit cross-border trafficking in cultural property.

Summary

The OSCE participating States (pS), along with the OSCE Partners for Co-operation (PfCs), are experiencing a dramatic upsurge in the unlawful looting of archaeological   sites   and   illicit   cross   border   smuggling   of   priceless   stolen   artwork, archaeological materials and antiquities. Trafficking in cultural property has close linkages to transnational organized crime groups, international money laundering and corruption networks and terrorist organizations.

The workshop over the course of five days aims to raise awareness regarding the illicit trafficking of cultural property and its impact on security and stability in the OSCE Asian Partners for Cooperation Region and to discuss methods and best practices for the OSCE, as a regional security organization, how best to respond to this serious transnational threat in a systematic manner, also in co-ordination with relevant national agencies, international organizations, private sector and educational institutions.

The Workshop language will be English. Costs related to travel and accommodation for Asian PfC participants will be covered by the organizers, while other interested participants are welcomed to participate, if they cover their own costs.