Conditions of membership

Only sovereign States can become members. Statehood is assessed under international law, notably through recognition by other States and by the United Nations. The Organisation is not meant to settle questions of recognition.

Non-sovereign territories or entities may, depending on the case, take part in certain activities as guests, without voting rights.

The applicant ratifies or undertakes to ratify three texts: the 1954 Hague Protocol, which protects cultural property in the event of armed conflict; the 1970 UNESCO Convention, which combats illicit transfers; and the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention, on stolen or illegally exported cultural objects.

Where a ratification is not yet complete, the State presents a precise timetable. The General Assembly takes it into account at the time of the vote and monitors its implementation during the probationary period.

Each State names a national focal point, generally within the administration responsible for heritage. The focal point is the Organisation's permanent contact and appears in the members' area directory as "Heritage Directorate – country".

The role of the focal point is described in the section National focal points.

The OIMAP Guidelines 2019 comprise seven binding directives. Directive No. 2019-07 sets the rules for authenticating cultural property. The State undertakes to transpose them into its law or administrative practice within a period agreed with the Directorate.

Legal support is offered to States that request it, as part of technical cooperation.

The Organisation imposes no level of art market development, no minimum size of heritage and no regional affiliation. A small State rich in archaeological sites has its full place here, as does a major market centre.

The scale of contributions takes these differences into account, so that membership remains accessible to all.