Morocco has ratified all international conventions aimed at protecting cultural property, Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi said on Monday, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to curbing the illicit trafficking of cultural assets.
Speaking at the opening of an international conference in Rabat, Ouahbi said Morocco had also signed bilateral agreements with several countries to fight illegal trade in cultural goods and facilitate their repatriation.
He added that Morocco is aligning its legal framework with international standards and strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies to detect trafficking networks, prosecute offenders and reduce impunity.
The trafficking of cultural property has become one of the world’s fastest-growing criminal activities, Ouahbi said, citing international legal instruments such as UNESCO conventions, the Interpol database on stolen artworks, and ethical codes for dealers.
ICESCO Director-General Salem Ben Mohammed Al-Malik called for stronger global cooperation, highlighting the potential of artificial intelligence to track black market activity and monitor auctions.
He als said the week-long conference aims to provide practical training and foster collaboration among stakeholders.
The event, held from June 30 to July 5, is co-organized by ICESCO, Qatar’s General Customs Authority and the Qatar National Library, and includes workshops on cultural property protection tools and technologies.
MAP: 30 June 2025
