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

Cooperation in the Middle East

The framework for cooperation with the four Middle Eastern States: monitoring from Geneva, bodies, partners and exchange channels.

Updated : October 28, 2026· 3 min read

A monitored cooperation framework

Black-Figure Dinos (Mixing Vessel): Warships (Int.); Heroic Scenes (Top), Antimenes Painter (c. 520–515 BCE)
Black-Figure Dinos (Mixing Vessel): Warships (Int.); Heroic Scenes (Top), Antimenes Painter (c. 520–515 BCE)

OIMAP's cooperation with the Middle East rests on dedicated monitoring, provided from the Geneva office. It involves the national focal points, the Headquarters and international partners.

It aims to protect the region's heritage, to structure sales markets and to facilitate the exchange of information between States.

Concrete actions appear on the programmes page; the States concerned are presented in the member countries.

  • Cooperation
  • Middle East
  • Geneva

Cooperation in the Middle East in figures

4States concerned
1Monitoring office: Geneva
1 per yearPlenary meeting of focal points
15 daysResponse time (indicative)

Source: Member States Relations Directorate.

Distribution

Exchange of information35% (indicative)
Legal support25% (indicative)
Training25% (indicative)
International liaison15% (indicative)

Indicative breakdown of exchanges.

The role of the Geneva office

The Geneva office is responsible for liaison with the UN and the WTO. It also follows the Middle East and serves as the point of contact for the four focal points in the region.

It organizes exchanges, prepares meetings and directs requests to the competent departments at Headquarters.

Wall Tile (1300s)
Wall Tile (1300s)
Gilded Dish with Flowers and Leaves (c. 1590)
Gilded Dish with Flowers and Leaves (c. 1590)
Bath Pail (Satl) (c. 1580–1610)
Bath Pail (Satl) (c. 1580–1610)

Focal points as relays

Each State has designated a focal point, a permanent contact for the Organization. The four focal points in the region meet at the annual plenary meeting, and by videoconference between sessions.

They exchange alerts, share their practices and prepare requests for assistance.

Technical cooperation

States in the region may submit a request for assistance for legal or technical support. The recent accessions have prompted several requests for support in transposing the OIMAP 2019 Directives.

The Organization replies within an indicative period of 15 days.

Agreements and partners

Cooperation relies on bilateral agreements, notably for customs training and joint operations. Cooperation agreements with external organizations are.

The bilateral agreements specify the terms for each type of action.

Exchange channels

Four channels
ChannelUseTime frame
Office emailRoutine questionsWithin a few days
Request for assistanceTechnical or legal support15 days (indicative)
Member AreaRestricted documentsImmediate consultation
Plenary meetingAnnual guidelinesOnce a year

Milestones

  1. Jordan

    First regional presence.

  2. Lebanon

    Resumption of accessions.

  3. United Arab Emirates, Qatar

    Four Member States.

  4. General Assembly

    The focal points meet in Singapore.

Sensitive information

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)
Wall Tile (1600s)
Wall Tile (1600s)
Talatat: Portrait of Nefertiti (c. 1353–1347 BCE)
Talatat: Portrait of Nefertiti (c. 1353–1347 BCE)

Bilateral or regional cooperation

Vase, Firm of Ferdinand Barbedienne (c. 1862)

Bilateral

Between two States
  • Targeted agreement
  • Customs training
  • Joint operations

For a specific action.

Miniature Mountain with Daoist Paradise (1736–95)

Regional

Among the four States
  • Joint meetings
  • Sharing of alerts
  • Joint programmes

For a comprehensive action.

Starting a cooperation

  1. Identify

    The need.

  2. Consult

    The focal point.

  3. Submit

    The request for assistance.

  4. Agree

    On the calendar.

  5. Evaluate

    The results.

Before starting a cooperation

A heritage director

Court Lady Pouring Wine (recto); Calligraphy of Lyrical Quatrains (verso) (c. 1760; borders mid-1700s)
« Cooperation has above all accelerated our exchanges with neighbouring States. Alerts now circulate within a few hours. »
Karim Nasser, heritage director (example)

Vocabulary of cooperation

Technical Cooperation
Support from the Organization to States.
Bilateral agreement
Agreement between the Organization and a State.
Liaison
Relations with international organizations.
Plenary
Annual meeting of the focal points.

Confidentiality of exchanges

Certain exchanges, for example on stolen property or ongoing investigations, are reserved for the focal points and filed in the member area. They are not public.

Public documents are published on the site, with their date and source indicated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who follows the region?

The Geneva office.

How do I request assistance?

Through the online request for assistance.

Are exchanges public?

No, some are reserved for the focal points.

Where can I see the agreements?

Useful Documents

Contacts

Egypt and Nubia, Volume I: The Great Temple of Aboo-Simble, Nubia, Louis Haghe (1846)
Egypt and Nubia, Volume I: The Great Temple of Aboo-Simble, Nubia, Louis Haghe (1846)
Member States Relations DirectorateParis — Headquarters+33 1 00 00 08 00membres@oimap.exampleMonday to Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

View the programmes

View of the Gulf of Pozzuoli from Solfatara, Philipp Hackert (1803)

Regional actions in the Middle East.

Programmes
Image credits (17)
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