Imagine an ancient artifact carrying millennia of civilization—meant to quietly narrate history in museums—instead falling prey to looters, circulating through black markets, and ultimately disappearing into private collectors' vaults. This loss of cultural heritage constitutes not just a desecration of history but a devastating blow to human civilization. To prevent such tragedies, the World Customs Organization (WCO) is taking decisive action by training customs officers to establish a robust defense line protecting cultural treasures.
From September 18-21, 2017, at the UNESCO Beirut Office, the WCO—in collaboration with UNESCO's Regional Bureau for Education in Beirut, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and with support from Lebanese Customs—conducted the first "Train-the-Trainer Workshop on Combating Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property" for customs officials from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This pioneering initiative marked a significant step in WCO's cultural heritage protection efforts, enhancing customs officers' capacity to identify and intercept smuggled antiquities.
Regional Cooperation Strengthens Cultural Protection Network
The workshop brought together over 40 customs officials from 13 countries—Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, and Tunisia. The training faculty comprised experts from diverse institutions including INTERPOL, customs and law enforcement agencies, cultural ministries, Lebanon's Directorate General of Antiquities, and academia. This event also served as the inaugural deployment and pilot test of WCO's newly developed customs training curriculum.
Implementing Resolutions to Enhance Customs Responsibilities
The workshop directly implemented WCO's July 2016 resolution on "The Role of Customs in Preventing the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property," which reaffirmed the international customs community's commitment to combat this serious threat. Additionally, it followed up on WCO's April 2017 MENA regional seminar in Hammamet, Tunisia, addressing key action points from the Hammamet Recommendations.
Multilateral Collaboration Boosts Enforcement Capabilities
Mr. Joe Kreidi, UNESCO Beirut's Cultural Program Officer, emphasized in his welcoming remarks that UNESCO's priority is to "support all stakeholders in implementing UN Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2347, which clearly states that attacks on archaeological sites and buildings should be considered war crimes under international law." He noted the workshop's value in providing "practical training to MENA regional customs authorities on combating cross-border illicit trafficking."
Mr. Assaad Tfaily, President of Lebanon's Higher Customs Council, highlighted Lebanon's rich cultural heritage as "the cradle of civilization" and its responsibility to protect it. He reaffirmed Lebanese Customs' determination against illicit trafficking and praised the workshop as "a platform for exchanging information, experiences, and expertise."
WCO representatives Ms. Michelle Medina and Ms. Mariya Polner reviewed the 2016 resolution, stressing the need for practical tools and knowledge to implement WCO decisions and support future joint operations.
Practical Exercises Enhance Professional Skills
During the four-day workshop, participants learned about cultural object identification and handling, along with specialized tools developed by WCO, INTERPOL, the International Council of Museums (ICOM), and other partners. Training covered risk management, cultural object targeting methodologies, identified trends, concealment techniques, and included hands-on exercises at archaeological sites and Beirut's National Museum.
WCO concluded by reaffirming its commitment to work closely with members and stakeholders to build necessary capacities for cultural heritage protection.
Training Breakdown: How Customs Officers Develop "Eagle Eyes"
The workshop equipped customs officers with critical skills:
- Cultural Object Identification: Training covered characteristics, dating methods, and provenance of various artifacts—from ceramic decorative patterns and bronze patina to ancient painting mounting techniques—enabling rapid field identification.
- Risk Management: Officers analyzed smuggling routes, concealment methods, and trafficking networks through historical case studies to prioritize high-risk inspections.
- International Cooperation: Participants learned collaboration protocols with INTERPOL and ICOM, accessing global trafficking intelligence and understanding cross-border legal frameworks.
- Legal Frameworks: Training included UNESCO's 1970 Convention and national laws, clarifying officers' legal authorities and responsibilities.
- Field Simulations: Practical exercises included cargo inspection drills and real-case analyses to refine operational decision-making.
WCO's Ongoing Commitment: Building Global Protection Systems
Beyond this workshop, WCO's comprehensive approach includes:
- Standard Setting: Developing guidelines like the "Customs Guide on Cultural Property" for unified global enforcement.
- Capacity Building: Regular training programs and technical support for national artifact databases.
- International Coordination: Facilitating joint operations and intelligence sharing among customs administrations and partner organizations.
Safeguarding Civilization: A Collective Responsibility
Cultural heritage represents humanity's shared legacy, and its protection demands universal commitment. While WCO's training initiatives significantly strengthen frontline defenses against trafficking, enduring success requires sustained collaboration among governments, cultural institutions, and civil society. Only through unified global action can we preserve these irreplaceable treasures for future generations.