UNAFRI Shares African Perspective at ISPAC Seminar on Combating Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property

On 7th November, UNAFRI participated in the international seminar organized by the International Scientific and Professional Advisory Council (ISPAC), held at Palazzo Edison in Milan, titled “Curbing Trafficking in Cultural Property: A Path for Global Strategy?” The event brought together a distinguished group of participants, including representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL, UNESCO, as well as delegates from UNAFRI, Egypt, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Australia, leading universities, and national prosecution authorities.

During the seminar, Andrew Munanura Karokora, Deputy Director General of UNAFRI, delivered a presentation that highlighted the African perspective on combating illicit trafficking of cultural property. In his address, Mr. Karokora emphasized the significant strides made by Morocco, citing their recently enacted legislation as a model for the region. He discussed the importance of comprehensive legal frameworks and cross-border collaboration in curbing illegal trade and preserving cultural heritage across Africa.

The seminar featured a series of engaging papers and discussions that covered a broad range of relevant topics, including legal challenges, international cooperation mechanisms, and practical strategies for protecting cultural assets. The participation of experts from various sectors encouraged a lively exchange of knowledge and best practices, contributing to the ongoing development of a unified global approach to combat the trafficking of cultural property.