Qatar National Library proudly announces the start of the "Second Doha Workshop on Countering the Trafficking of Cultural Property with a Focus on Documentary Heritage". This pivotal event underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in the Arab and Middle Eastern regions to ensure the protection of invaluable cultural assets.
In partnership with the General Authority of Customs and in collaboration with the U.S., Italian, and French embassies in Qatar, Qatar National Library aims to deepen the understanding and implementation of best practices in preventing the illicit trade of cultural property and documentary heritage.
The workshop's curtain-raiser was graced by a host of distinguished figures. In attendance were His Excellency Dr. Hamad Bin Abdulaziz Al-Kawari, Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library; His Excellency Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Jamal, Chairman of the General Authority of Customs; His Excellency Jean-Baptiste Faivre, Ambassador of France to Qatar; His Excellency Paolo Toschi, Ambassador of Italy to Qatar; His Excellency Timmy Davis, U.S. Ambassador to Qatar; and Ms. Tan Huism, Executive Director of Qatar National Library.
During the opening session, His Excellency Dr. Al-Kawari said: “The increasing global threat is evident, despite international conventions like those from UNESCO in 1970 and UNIDROIT in 1995. As smugglers harness modern social media and with geopolitical unrest further propelling these illicit activities, our history, culture, and heritage face unprecedented risks. This workshop aims to illuminate these challenges and foster collaborative solutions for preserving our shared heritage."
His Excellency Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Jamal, Chairman of the General Authority of Customs said: "Our participation today underscores our crucial role in advancing global efforts to combat the illegal trade in cultural assets. The authority has enacted regulations regarding prohibitions, import and export restrictions, and the unauthorized transfer of cultural properties. This reiterates Qatar's commitment to fulfilling its obligations under international treaties, particularly the UNESCO 1970 Convention aimed at curbing the trafficking of illicit cultural property. Addressing these illicit activities is of paramount importance to our mission, particularly in light of the significant threats posed by theft, smuggling, and the unauthorized commerce of cultural assets at our borders."
His Excellency Paolo Toschi, Ambassador of Italy to Qatar said: “We are proud to stand alongside QNL in their "Himaya Project” for the protection of cultural heritage and the fight against illicit trafficking. When it comes to such topics, Italy is one of the most active countries, both at a national and international level thanks to our experts and bodies such as the Carabinieri force, for the protection of cultural heritage. Our cooperation with Qatar on this topic is a fruitful one and contributes to making Doha a regional beacon for international cooperation on the subject.”
His Excellency Jean-Baptiste Faivre, Ambassador of France to Qatar said: “France is highly committed to the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property at the global level. This engagement should go beyond borders; increasing the international cooperation is key. We are delighted today to welcome three high-level French experts to contribute to the workshop.”
His Excellency Timmy Davis, U.S. Ambassador to Qatar said: “Understanding our past is crucial to understanding our present, and to building a future that honors our values and traditions. Cultural heritage artefacts are our gateway to that historical understanding. That is why the United States and Qatar worked during our strategic dialogue to increase our ongoing cooperation in heritage protection, and why several U.S. agencies and the Smithsonian Institute have convened at Qatar National Library to be part of this important workshop.”
This edition of the workshop is geared to build upon the successes and lessons from the inaugural session last year. It promises enriching discussions, insights, and contributions from esteemed participants such as UNESCO, Interpol, World Customs Organization, among many other international bodies.
Having kicked off on 10 September, the workshop began with in-depth closed consultations featuring experts from both regional and international arenas. As the workshop moves into its open sessions starting today, attendees can expect a series of insightful lectures and presentations from the industry's leading figures. The workshop will wrap up on 14 September with specialized training sessions, expertly designed to equip customs officers from Qatar and the surrounding region with the tools and knowledge essential for the protection of cultural property.
