ASEAN explore relic safeguards

via Phnom Penh Post, 05 September 2022: Coverage of the ASEAN International Conference on Cultural Property Protection happening this week in Siem Reap.

Cambodia is playing host to an international conference to find effective measures and solutions to protect cultural heritage and prevent looting of historical artefacts and heritage items, which kicked off in Siem Reap and will run through September 8 with the theme of “International Conference on Cultural Property Protection: The Prevention of the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Properties – An ASEAN Perspective.”

According to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the conference was held to discuss the scope of these issues and coordinate on strategic measures to ensure the return of looted artefacts.

Speaking at the conference, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona said that many Cambodian cultural properties were looted, especially during periods of conflict and upheaval, and then illegally smuggled out of the Kingdom, an indisputable assertion given that many of the lost artefacts have been found on sale at marketplaces, auction houses and galleries abroad.

The minister said that she and the government regard such looting and smuggling of these cultural properties as acts of destruction – as opposed to collection or preservation – that undermine understanding of the underlying cultures and the identity of the descendants of their creators.

Source: ASEAN explore relic safeguards | Phnom Penh Post