Qatar National Library, in cooperation with the Italian Embassy in Doha, hosted a special lecture by Luigi Marini, Secretary General of the Supreme Court of Cassation of Italy, exploring the progress being made toward a new legal framework for the international protection of cultural heritage. The special lecture is an initiative under the Himaya project, launched by the Library to combat illegal trafficking in documentary heritage in the region.
His Excellency Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library, delivered a short speech at the event, which welcomed His Excellency Paolo Toschi, Italian Ambassador to Qatar, embassy officials, specialists, and researchers in this field.
Justice Marini’s lecture highlighted the innovations in Italy’s cultural heritage legal protection framework, adopted by the Italian parliament in 2022. Italy’s successful initiatives within the United Nations (UN) system paved the way for this framework. Such efforts culminated in the adoption of Security Council Resolution 2199 of 2015, and Resolution 2347 of 2017, the latter being a milestone in protecting cultural heritage during armed conflict. Alongside these developments, the Council of Europe’s Nicosia Convention of 2017 became the first treaty that builds on existing international instruments to establish criminal offenses relating to cultural property.
Justice Marini concluded with an insightful perspective on existing synergies and the potential for cooperation between UN member states, UN agencies, and other regional and international bodies. Italy co-chairs the Group of Friends for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, to encourage full implementation of the international legal framework.
Commenting on the occasion, His Excellency Dr. Al-Kawari stated: “The Library has always been committed to protecting and promoting the world's cultural heritage, and we recognize the crucial role that international cooperation and legal frameworks play in achieving this goal.”
“I would like to thank His Excellency Ambassador Toschi, for being here with us today and Justice Marini, for sharing his knowledge and experience with us. We hope that this lecture will inspire further research and collaboration among international entities and regional organizations, and contribute to the collective effort to safeguard world history for future generations," he added.
For his part, His Excellency Ambassador Toschi said: “Thanks to the experience of Justice Marini, today’s lecture has been a unique opportunity to share Italy’s commitment to the international protection of cultural heritage. In a time of uncertainty and increased challenges to stability and the international order, multilateral collaboration is pivotal to preserving people’s heritages, cultures and identities, which are being threatened everyday. I wish to thank Qatar National Library and His Excellency Dr. Al-Kawari for their contributions; the cooperation between us is long-standing and delivers excellent results that strengthen the ties between Italy and Qatar.”
The event underscored the Library’s role in supporting efforts to combat the unlawful distribution and trading of documentary heritage through initiatives and projects, that educate, advise, and encourage international entities to come together to safeguard world history. Upcoming events organized by the Library's Himaya initiative will strive to foster active participation between international agencies and regional organizations.
For more about these and other Qatar National Library’s initiatives, please visit www.qnl.qa
