The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) participated in the International Conference on Combating Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property, organized by the Heritage Commission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 29 to 30 October 2025 in Riyadh. The conference brought together a distinguished group of experts, officials, and representatives of regional and international organizations concerned with the protection of cultural heritage.

ICESCO was represented at the conference by Mr. Mohamed Hedi Shili, Director of the Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards, and Dr. Asmaa Mehdioui, Expert in the same department. Dr. Mehdioui presented a research paper titled “Strategy for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property in the Islamic World,” in which she outlined the main pillars of ICESCO’s strategy to strengthen Member States’ capacities in the legal protection of heritage and the efforts of the Organization to establish an Advisory Committee for the Recovery of Cultural Property in the Islamic World.

On the sidelines of the conference, Mr. Shili held several bilateral meetings with representatives of INTERPOL, The Carabinieri Force, the UNIDROIT Institute, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Saudi Heritage Commission. The meetings discussed ways to enhance cooperation, coordinate joint efforts, and exchange expertise and best practices in the field.

This participation is part of ICESCO’s ongoing efforts to implement its Regional Project for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property, launched to implement the resolution of the 12th Conference of Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World (Doha, 2023). The project aims to strengthen national legislation, support international cooperation, and build the capacities of institutions in charge of cultural heritage protection.