Americas

The Americas include States that import cultural property and have major marketplaces, and States rich in archaeological sites that have been hard hit by clandestine excavations. These opposing situations feed a demanding dialogue on restitution and export control.

OIMAP offers a neutral framework in which these States work together on common rules.

The New York office follows the fourteen States of the region, hosts regional meetings and acts as the interface with the continent's major marketplaces. It also coordinates the training and technical assistance programmes.

It works in liaison with Headquarters in Paris, which retains responsibility for general policy.

Three priorities emerge from the regional meetings: combating clandestine excavations and the illicit export of archaeological items, securing high-value transactions, and strengthening cooperation between customs and cultural departments.

These priorities are translated into multi-year programmes, funded by States' contributions and by one-off support.

States in the Americas are developing bilateral and multilateral agreements: exchanges of information on stolen objects, joint operations at borders, restitution agreements. The Organization offers legal and logistical support for these efforts.

See also the bilateral agreements concluded under the aegis of OIMAP.

Administrations in the region may put forward experts, host meetings or request training. Market professionals are involved in the preparatory consultations.

Requests should be addressed to the Member States Relations Directorate or directly to the New York office.