NEW YORK, Sept 27 (KUNA) -- A new international initiative to enhance the protection of cultural heritage targeted by terrorists and illicit traffickers has been launched at the UN by Jordan and Italy, supported by UNESCO, INTERPOL and UNODC.
On the sidelines of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Italy and Jordan launched "Protecting Cultural Heritage-An Imperative for Humanity" initiative with the participation of principals from UNESCO, INTERPOL and UNODC as well as ministers from a number of UN member states.
In a joint press release, both Jordan and Italy said that the main goal of the program "is to follow up on resolutions and decisions adopted by the UN Security Council, the UN General Assembly and other international bodies." Throughout the last decade, the world has witnessed a sharp increase in terrorist attacks on, and destruction of, the cultural heritage of countries affected by armed conflict, they added. Organized looting, illicit trafficking and sale of cultural objects have reached an unprecedented scale.
Furthermore, both countries affirmed that terrorist groups are using these acts as a tactic of war to intimidate populations and governments. "In addition, these acts aim to generate income for terrorist groups across the Middle East and beyond, which is then used to support their recruitment and operational efforts," they added.
This open-ended partnership comes against a backdrop of increased international activity aimed at countering this threat. The UN Security Council as well as the General Assembly have taken steps to condemn and deplore the destruction of cultural property.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Paolo Gentiloni, said that cultural heritage is a reflection of human history, civilization and the coexistence of multiple peoples and their ways of life. "Its protection is a shared responsibility of the international community, in the interest of future generations," he added.
On his part, the Jordanian Deputy Prime Minster Nasser Judeh said that the religious and cultural heritage of the Middle East, the birthplace of civilization and religions, belongs to all humanity.
He then appealed to the high-level participants to "protect and preserve it as it is the collective responsibility of the international community." Nevertheless, the Director General of UNESCO said that culture is on the frontline of conflict, and "we must place it at the heart of peace building." Such initiative is a project open to all member states, international organizations and partners wishing to join forces in support of the protection of cultural heritage from destruction and-or illicit trafficking, the press release added. (end) mao.bs