Observe · Regulate · Protect — since 2007. 19th OIMAP General Assembly: Singapore, 10–12 June 2026. Programme
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for the Art Market and Heritage
24 October 2026 · Updated at 07:47 GMT FR EN ES Member area Log in
Member States

Middle East

Four Member States in the Middle East, followed from the Geneva office, and cooperation programmes focused on heritage and sales.

Updated : October 28, 2026· 3 min read

Pages in this section

Qur'an Manuscript Folio (800s)Member countries of the Middle EastThe four Member States of the Middle East, with their year of accession and the means of reaching their focal point.› Black-Figure Dinos (Mixing Vessel): Warships (Int.); Heroic Scenes (Top), Antimenes Painter (c. 520–515 BCE)Cooperation in the Middle EastThe framework for cooperation with the four Middle Eastern States: monitoring from Geneva, bodies, partners and exchange channels.› Incense Burner (1200–1250)Programmes in the Middle EastThe training, heritage protection and market support programmes conducted with the four Middle Eastern States.›

Four States, an exceptional heritage

Relief of Three Offering Bearers (c. 2311–2281 BCE)
Relief of Three Offering Bearers (c. 2311–2281 BCE)

The Middle East has four of OIMAP's 67 Member States: Jordan, a founder in 2007, Lebanon, which joined in 2023, then the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in 2024.

The region accounts for 4% of the world art market, according to reference figures. It is growing strongly and is home to archaeological heritage of the first importance.

It is followed from the Geneva office. This section presents the member countries, cooperation and the programmes.

  • Middle East
  • Member States
  • Geneva

The Middle East in figures

4Member States
1Founding State
4%Share of the global market
GenevaMonitoring office

Source: Member States Relations Directorate.

Distribution

Founder (2007)1 State
Accession 20231 State
Accessions 20242 States
Other periods0

Breakdown of the four States by period of accession.

A region both long-standing and recent

Jordan has been a member since 2007 and is one of the 23 pioneers. For sixteen years, it was the only State in the region within the Organization.

Lebanon joined in 2023, followed by the United Arab Emirates and Qatar in 2024. The region has thus quadrupled its number of members in two years.

Peonies (early 1900s)
Peonies (early 1900s)
Wall Tile (1600s)
Wall Tile (1600s)
Temple of Athene Nike. Venus Victrix—Wingless Victory, Dimitrios Constantin (c. 1850s–60s)
Temple of Athene Nike. Venus Victrix—Wingless Victory, Dimitrios Constantin (c. 1850s–60s)

Contrasting challenges

The Middle East brings together States whose heritage is exposed to looting and States whose sales markets are developing fast. Protecting sites and regulating sales are therefore two complementary priorities.

The Organization adapts its support to both realities.

Monitoring from Geneva

The region has no office of its own. It is followed by the Geneva office, which liaises with international organizations and supports the focal points of the four States.

This arrangement may change if the number of members in the region increases.

Languages and practices

Exchanges take place in French, in English and, depending on the interlocutors, with the support of Arabic-speaking interpreters. Essential documents are translated for the focal points.

Online meetings are held at times compatible with the region's time zones.

The four Member States

Reference list
StateMembership
Jordan2007 (founder)
Lebanon2023
United Arab Emirates2024
Qatar2024

Milestones

  1. Jordan

    Founding State.

  2. Lebanon

    First recent accession.

  3. United Arab Emirates and Qatar

    Two accessions in the same year.

  4. General Assembly

    The four States take part in the 19th session.

Close monitoring

Qur'an Manuscript Folio (recto); left side of bifolio (800s)
Qur'an Manuscript Folio (recto); left side of bifolio (800s)
Red-Figure Column Krater (Mixing Vessel): Komos (Revel), Pig Painter (c. 470–460 BCE)
Red-Figure Column Krater (Mixing Vessel): Komos (Revel), Pig Painter (c. 470–460 BCE)
Luxury Inlaid Container (c. 1250–1350)
Luxury Inlaid Container (c. 1250–1350)

Two ways into the section

Portrait of Raja Jagat Singh of Nurpur (reigned 1618–46), Bichitr (probably 1619)

By country

The four States
  • Years of accession
  • Focal points
  • Country Profiles

To learn about a State.

Wall Tile (1600s)

By programme

Regional actions
  • Cooperation
  • Training
  • Legal support

To act at regional level.

Explore the section

  1. Consult

    The list of member countries.

  2. Read

    The cooperation page.

  3. Choose

    A regional programme.

  4. Reach

    The national focal point.

  5. Follow up

    The region's meetings.

To prepare an exchange with the region

A delegate from the region

View of the Gulf of Pozzuoli from Solfatara, Philipp Hackert (1803)
« Monitoring from Geneva allows us to speak directly to international organizations. It is an asset for a region that is still underrepresented. »
Layla Haddad, national delegate (example)

Regional vocabulary

Founder
Member State since 2007.
Focal point
National department designated to liaise with OIMAP.
Liaison
Relations with international organizations.
Integration
Period following accession.

Relationship with Headquarters

Decisions on accession, scale of contributions or suspension fall to the Organization's bodies in Paris. The Geneva office prepares and supports them.

The three recent accessions are still in their integration period, which justifies close monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Middle Eastern States are members?

Four.

Who follows the region?

The Geneva office.

Where can the list be seen?
When were the most recent accessions?

In 2024, for the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Useful Documents

Contacts

The Apotheosis of Romulus: Design for a Ceiling, Domenico Maria Canuti (c. 1675–76)
The Apotheosis of Romulus: Design for a Ceiling, Domenico Maria Canuti (c. 1675–76)
Member States Relations DirectorateParis — Headquarters+33 1 00 00 08 00membres@oimap.exampleMonday to Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

See the member countries

Jug (late 900s)

The four States and their years of accession.

Member countries
Image credits (20)
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