Countering

Foreword
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) and its 35,000 members from the
international professional museum network shoulder those who defend museums and
heritage, culture and peace.
As such, at the 38 th session of the UNESCO General Conference, which took place in
November 2015 in Paris, a new Recommendation on the Protection and the Promotion
of Museums and Collections, their Diversity and their Role in Society, was unanimously
adopted by the member States, highlighting the essential work undertaken by ICOM.
The ICOM International Observatory on Illicit Traffic in Cultural Goods is a powerful
tool in the fight against this illegal trade, and this publication illustrates ICOM’s full
commitment, as a museum network, to safeguarding the world’s heritage.
We would like to thank warmly all those involved in this project, including the European
Commission, expert ICOM members, law enforcement agencies, State administrations,
intergovernmental organizations and research institutions, whose cooperation has been
vital in bringing this publication to fruition.
We also commend the collaborative effort within the ICOM Secretariat. The project was
spearheaded by France Desmarais, with the assistance of Raphaël Roig and Susanne
Poverlein in the Programmes Department, and the support of Aedín Mac Devitt and
Melanie Foehn in the Publications Department.
Doubtless, these insightful articles will shed light upon a global problem that can only be
resolved through strong international involvement and cooperation.
Hans-Martin Hinz
President of the International Council of Museums
Anne-Catherine Robert-Hauglustaine
Director General of the International Council of Museums