Illicit trafficking of cultural property is also on the rise, with INTERPOL seizing more than 11,000 stolen works of art in 2022. Such an illegality not only deprives communities of their identity and history, but also enables money-laundering, tax evasion and the financing of terrorist organizations. The transboundary nature of the crime makes bilateral, regional and inter-governmental cooperation critical, and UNESCO has served as a unique multilateral platform to fight against illicit trafficking for the past five decades, notably through the implementation of the Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.

"With the inclusion of a dedicated section on illicit trafficking, the Naples Declaration testifies to the growing awareness that illicit trafficking undermines global security and stability. UNESCO continues to support States in tackling this challenge as a common responsibility."