Nairobi office

The office receives requests from African States, reviews them and forwards them to Headquarters services. It follows membership files, assistance requests and reports of works.

It has no decision-making power of its own: it informs, supports and coordinates within the framework set by the General Assembly.

The team comprises about ten staff (indicative): State relations officers, trainers, lawyers and support personnel. A head of office leads it, under the authority of the director of Member State relations.

The staff work in French and English and speak several languages of the continent.

Each year the office trains customs officers and heritage administration staff. It relays alerts from the Bureau of Information on Works and Property and facilitates exchanges between focal points.

It also helps States prepare a request for assistance for legal or technical support.

The office supports States that initiate a procedure for the restitution of works. It gathers the documents, puts the parties in contact and follows each step through to the handover of the work.

The Organization has returned 847 works, all countries combined. See also the restitution page.

The office receives delegations from Member States by appointment, Monday to Friday. Certification requests are handled through the online Desk, not by the office.

Press requests are forwarded to the Headquarters communications department.