The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the Regional Conference on Combating the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property, organized by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman, in cooperation with the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science. The event was held in Muscat from 17 to 19 November 2025.

Dr. Asmaa Mehdioui, Expert at the Legal Affairs and International Standards Department of ICESCO, delivered a scientific paper outlining the Organization’s strategy to support Member States in safeguarding their heritage and strengthening mechanisms for the prevention of smuggling and illicit trafficking.

Moreover, Dr. Mehdioui emphasized the need to intensify efforts to restitute cultural property, highlighting key challenges such as the complexity of legal procedures in destination countries, inadequate documentation, and limited coordination among relevant national and international institutions. She called for launching the Advisory Committee for the Recovery of Cultural Property in the Islamic World, describing it as a vital mechanism to assist countries in preparing comprehensive restitution files.

Dr. Mehdioui also underscored the importance of implementing international conventions, reinforcing national legal frameworks in Member States, and leveraging modern technology to secure cultural property and reduce its vulnerability to illicit transfer.