Bahrain: The Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States have formalized a commitment to cultural heritage protection by signing a Statement on cooperation. This agreement aims to bolster bilateral efforts to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property and safeguard consumers in both nations.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the statement was signed by Shaikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), representing Bahrain, and by Allison Hooker, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, on behalf of the United States. The agreement underscores the dedication of both governments to enhance cooperation in cultural heritage, tackle the illegal art and antiquities trade, encourage responsible practices in the art market, and foster cultural exchanges.
The recent agreement builds on the foundations of the Manama Statement on Cooperation issued in October 2021, which highlighted the importance of cultural heritage protection and preservation. Provisions of the new statement include measures to improve information exchange to prevent the illicit trafficking of cultural property, sharing best practices, raising awareness about legal protections for cultural heritage, and supporting initiatives to strengthen information-sharing networks aimed at combating the illegal trade in art and antiquities.