Arab Security Conference: Enhancing Cooperation to Combat Antiquities Theft and Cross-Border Smuggling
The 12th Arab Conference of Tourism Security Officials, concluding its sessions in Tunisia, called for strengthening cooperation among Arab states to combat the theft and cross-border smuggling of antiquities, thereby facilitating the recovery of stolen artifacts and ensuring their return to the relevant countries.
The General Secretariat of the Arab Ministers of Interior Council stated in a press release that the conference emphasized the need to enhance Arab efforts to combat crimes related to antiquities, criminalize the possession or sale of artifacts of unknown origin, and impose deterrent penalties in this regard.
The conference urged member states to develop unified digital platforms to link security agencies and tourism authorities, ensuring rapid information exchange and immediate response to reports and incidents. It also called for strengthening capacity-building by training security personnel in the use of modern technologies, including drones, data analysis, and smart applications, to enhance the Arab tourism security system.
Furthermore, the conference called on member states to create digital fingerprints for antiquities, enabling their identification if seized locally or internationally. It urged intensifying specialized training programs for law enforcement and customs officers to recognize artifacts and distinguish them from counterfeits, alongside enhancing cooperation with relevant regional and international organizations to recover looted cultural property.
The conference underscored the importance of establishing an Arab digital database for antiquities encompassing all member states, which would aid in combating theft and smuggling and facilitate recovery. It called on member states to pay attention to submerged maritime heritage, providing necessary protection and monitoring measures to preserve it and prevent theft or vandalism. Additionally, it urged the development of monitoring mechanisms for e-commerce platforms, auction sites, and social media channels that may be exploited for selling smuggled antiquities, and the launch of awareness campaigns targeting citizens and antique dealers to highlight the importance of protecting cultural heritage and the dangers of illegal trafficking.
The conference appreciated the experiences presented in the field of tourism security and requested the General Secretariat to disseminate them to member states for their benefit. It expressed its deep appreciation for the selection of Tunis as the Arab Capital of Tourism for 2027, and urged member states to participate actively in the Tourism Security Forum to be organized on this occasion.
The conference was held under the auspices of the General Secretariat of the Arab Ministers of Interior Council in Tunisia, attended by representatives from the interior ministries of Arab states, as well as the League of Arab States, the Arab Organization for Tourism, the project supporting the fight against trafficking in cultural heritage in the Middle East and North Africa region, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, and representatives of the General Secretariat of the Arab Ministers of Interior Council.
The conference discussed the utilization of modern technologies to support the tourism security system in Arab states. It urged member states to enhance the use of artificial intelligence and smart surveillance systems at tourist sites and facilities, contributing to improved monitoring and response to security risks. It also called for tightening security and customs controls at land, sea, and air borders, using modern technologies to detect antiquities smuggling. Additionally, it urged the development of unified digital platforms to link security agencies and tourism authorities, ensuring rapid information exchange and immediate response to reports and incidents, and strengthening capacity-building by training security personnel in the use of modern technologies, including drones, data analysis, and smart applications, to enhance the Arab tourism security system.
