The destruction and looting of cultural heritage during armed conflict is a practice dating back millennia. It has often been used by warring parties to erase the identity, history, and collective memory of their adversaries. From antiquity through the colonial era to contemporary conflicts, the deliberate destruction of cultural sites, monuments, and works of art has been employed as a tactic of warfare, often described as "ethno-cultural cleansing.
Recognizing that the damage, looting, trafficking, and destruction of humanity's cultural heritage during crises constitute a serious threat to international peace and security, this side event aims to: Examine the links between armed conflict, peace operations, and the protection of cultural heritage. Discuss strategies for better integrating cultural heritage protection as a core component of peace operations and related mandates. Explore practical approaches to safeguarding cultural sites and improving the traceability of cultural objects in peacekeeping contexts. Share best practices and national experiences in cultural heritage protection, with particular emphasis on the Italian experience. Highlight the importance of international law enforcement cooperation, particularly the use of INTERPOL's tools and capabilities, in preventing, detecting, and investigating crimes affecting cultural heritage. Italy plays a leading international role in the protection of cultural heritage, reflecting its exceptional historical and cultural legacy.
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