Organised by the UNESCO Sudan office and hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism, the consultation brought together key actors from government, law enforcement, and the cultural sector, including representatives of the Ministry of Culture, Information and Tourism; the General Authority for Antiquities and Museums; the National Intelligence and Security Service; the Ministry of Justice; the Public Prosecution; and other national bodies, reflecting a shared commitment to protecting Sudan’s heritage.
Over the two days, UNESCO and national representatives underscored the urgency of coordinated action in light of the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict. Discussions focused on the risks facing antiquities under conflict and exceptional circumstances; the application of relevant international conventions—particularly the UNESCO conventions on cultural property protection ratified previously and recently endorsed by the Council of Ministries (1970, 2001 and 1995); the National Strategy to Combat Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property; the role of security and law enforcement institutions in preventing smuggling; and the current situation of archaeological assets across the country.
A central focus was the need to modernise Sudan’s legal and institutional framework. Participants emphasised updating the Antiquities Protection Law (1999) in line with international standards; strengthening legal penalties related to antiquities trafficking; introducing clearer protection and enforcement provisions; establishing and implementing regulations; and creating specialised prosecution services, courts, and police units dedicated to heritage protection. They also recommended classifying archaeological lands as protected state property under a clear legal framework.
The consultation further called for digitising museum and archaeological records, modernising inventory systems, and establishing a comprehensive national cultural heritage database. It emphasised the need for specialised online training for customs officers, police, prosecutors, and heritage professionals, particularly in documentation, conservation, and anti-trafficking procedures, alongside stronger border surveillance and monitoring of domestic and international markets, including auctions and online platforms.
Participants also highlighted the importance of stronger institutional coordination through the establishment of a permanent national committee to combat antiquities trafficking, enhanced information-sharing among security, judicial, and cultural institutions, and reinforced international cooperation with partners such as INTERPOL and UNESCO to support the recovery of stolen cultural property. The consultation further stressed the importance of public awareness, community engagement, and the involvement of civil society and youth in safeguarding cultural heritage.
In the area of emergency preparedness, participants called for the development of emergency response plans for the protection of cultural property during conflicts and disasters, the establishment of rapid response teams to safeguard archaeological sites, and the operationalisation of the National Strategy to Combat Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property through a clear implementation plan with defined timelines and performance indicators.
Through its leadership and support, UNESCO continues to play a key role in advancing concrete actions to strengthen Sudan’s systems for heritage protection. UNESCO’s Office for Sudan remains committed to supporting national efforts to safeguard cultural heritage as a vital pillar of identity, resilience, and recovery.
These efforts were made possible through the generous support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the Government of Italy, within the framework of an ongoing partnership to strengthen the protection of cultural heritage in Sudan, with growing ongoing support from international partners.
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/strengthening-sudans-response-illicit-trafficking-cultural-heritage?hub=701
