Egypt has successfully recovered nearly 30,000 antiquities over the past ten years, underscoring a sustained national and international effort to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities said on Monday.
Speaking at the 9th Ministerial Meeting of the Forum of Ancient Civilizations in Athens, Sherif Fathy said the recoveries were achieved through a combination of robust legislation, active diplomatic engagement, and continuous monitoring of global art markets.
The minister attributed the progress to the work of the General Administration of Repatriated Antiquities, which closely tracks international auction houses and private markets to identify and reclaim illegally exported Egyptian artifacts. He noted that enhanced coordination with foreign governments and institutions has played a decisive role in accelerating repatriation efforts.
Fathy highlighted a series of bilateral agreements signed with countries including the United States, Italy, Switzerland, Cyprus, Lebanon, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, aimed at preventing illegal trade and facilitating the return of stolen or smuggled antiquities. Egypt also maintains close cooperation with international bodies such as UNESCO, Interpol, and the International Council of Museums, he added.
The minister said these partnerships have strengthened information-sharing, legal coordination, and enforcement mechanisms, helping to protect Egypt’s archaeological heritage amid persistent global demand for antiquities.
Concluding his remarks, Fathy reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to global efforts to safeguard cultural heritage, calling for stronger international action against illicit trafficking. He said Egypt will continue to invest in capacity-building, documentation, digitization, and scientific research, stressing that cultural heritage is a shared human legacy.
“Cultural heritage unites peoples,” the minister said, adding that its protection is a collective responsibility owed to future generations.
