ILAB advocacy at UNESCO on behalf of the international rare book trade

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) is known for much more than its World Heritage Site program. It oversees a wide range of global initiatives and programs aimed at fostering international collaboration in education, science, culture, and communication, including various programmes combatting the illicit trade in cultural property.
UNESCO's work is relevant to all 193 United Nations Member States, including all countries with affiliates of ILAB.

Since the the announcement of its planned revision of the "International Code of Ethics for Dealers in Cultural Property" in 2022, ILAB has been engaging with UNESCO through its "Secretariat of the 1970 Convention".

Since 2022, ILAB has participated in UNESCO consultations on revising the "International Code of Ethics for Dealers in Cultural Property", whose most recent version dates back to 1999. Changes of the code are needed to reflect modern developments, including the rise of the Internet and evolving sales channels. UNESCO has collaborated extensively with international law enforcement, legal professionals, and member states to implement stricter policies for handling cultural objects.
While ILAB and representatives of wider art market support the work of UNESCO and its core principles, the art market community have also raised objections to some of the proposed revisions, which could potentially, unduly hinder the legitimate trade in cultural objects.

Increasingly stricter provenance requirements have already led to significant obstacles in the daily work of many antiquarian booksellers worldwide.

The art market community has worked with UNESCO on a revision of the guiding principles that are laid out in the new text of the "International Code of Ethics for Dealers in Cultural Property". The results of the consultations with the art market were published in 2023 under the following link: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark...

This revision process is still ongoing and the final paper not yet published.

Ongoing, active communication between ILAB and UNESCO is important to represent the rare book trade's needs and advocate for balanced legal and ethical principles for legitimately traded objects of art and rare books.

In June 2024, ILAB organised its 3rd international symposium, taking place at the Institut National de l'Histoire d'Art in Paris and was able to invite a representative of UNESCO.

Louise Malecot, Associate Programme specialist at the Movable Heritage and Museums Unit, presented "UNESCO’s tools for protecting cultural heritage and combating illicit trade", providing an insightful presentation on UNESCO’s rationale for its policies and its initiatives to combat illicit trade and protect cultural heritage. This talk, delivered in French, is available with subtitles on ILAB’s YouTube channel and is highly recommended for further understanding.

On June 14, UNESCO invited representatives of the art market notably those who participated in the 2022 consultations, specialists from various organizations involved in the protection of cultural heritage, and representatives of all UNESCO Member States to a workshop.

The workshop focussed on specific case studies to share good practices and discuss challenges related to the exercise of due diligence. The presentations were be followed by a discussion with the participants on the principles pertaining to cooperation with the country of origin or export and the national agencies, as well as the procedures for dealers to adhere to the Code and for investigations of violations of its principles.

ILAB's Executive Secretary Angelika Elstner was invited to present the international rare book trade, in particular examples of due diligence and security procedures in the rare book trade.
This invitation marked a significant milestone in ILAB’s advocacy efforts.

ILAB was able to present best practices within the rare book trade while addressing concerns about unfair portrayals of the art and antiquarian book trade as being comparable to criminal activities like drug and arms trafficking.

Angelika Elstner was supported by ILAB President Mario Giupponi and ILAB Treasurer Robert Frew as well as President of the Germany antiquarian booksellers' association, Markus Brandis.

ILAB advocates for dialogue and mutual understanding with UNESCO. By engaging constructively with UNESCO, ILAB aims to ensure that the rare book trade is recognized as a legitimate and historically important part of the cultural economy.

ILAB’s collaboration with UNESCO over the past two years represents a significant step forward in ensuring that the interests of the international rare book trade are represented in global discussions on cultural heritage. Continued engagement, advocacy, and public relations efforts at this level will be critical to addressing challenges and fostering a balanced approach to cultural property legislation.