Missions of the New York Office

The office is the first point of contact for auction houses, galleries and dealers in the region. It explains the Desk's services, presents the certification requirements and relays the difficulties encountered in the field.

Each year it organizes meetings with sector representatives to gather their observations, which are passed on to the Market and Studies Directorate.

Member States in the Americas receive support in preparing General Assembly sessions, monitoring their contributions and implementing the directives. The office also liaises with their focal points.

It organizes regional coordination meetings, where States exchange on their practices and needs in technical cooperation.

The office passes BIOP alerts and information requests on to the authorities of the region. It takes part in preparing coordinated operations and helps organize restitutions when the objects are located on the continent.

It ensures that procedures respect each State's rules while following the Organization's standards.

Seminars, in person or remote, are aimed at customs officers, curators and market players. They cover provenance, import-export controls and the recognition of forgeries.

The OIMAP Academy provides the teaching content, which the office adapts to the local context.

The Director takes part in conferences, fairs and institutional meetings. There he or she presents the Organization's work and gathers information useful to headquarters.

The Director reports each quarter to the Office of the Secretary-General, which validates the branch's priorities.