Greece Elected to Key UNESCO Committee on Cultural Heritage Protection

Greece has been elected to the UNESCO Committee responsible for enforcing the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.

The election took place on Wednesday during the 8th meeting of the Convention’s State Parties in Paris.

This marks a significant recognition of Greece’s longstanding commitment to cultural heritage preservation. The country, a signatory of the Convention since 1981, was represented at the meeting by Permanent Representative to UNESCO Giorgos Koumoutsakos, Ministry of Culture official Vasso Papageorgiou, and Foreign Ministry legal advisor Marianna Paschou.

Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni welcomed the election, describing it as “a result of recognition of the systematic and methodical effort by the Greek government to protect cultural heritage, combat the illicit trafficking of cultural goods, and advocate for their return to their rightful homelands.”

She emphasised that the global trade in stolen cultural property remains a pressing challenge, and reaffirmed that the committee’s work remains a political priority for Greece. “The Ministry of Culture is committed to strengthening international cooperation in cultural heritage protection,” she stated.

Underscoring this commitment, Mendoni announced that Greece will make a voluntary contribution of €10,000 to UNESCO’s Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects. This initiative aims to improve transparency and raise awareness through innovative tools to better safeguard cultural treasures worldwide.

The election reinforces Greece’s active role on the global stage in efforts to preserve and repatriate cultural heritage—an issue of profound national and international significance.

Source: greek city times