05/05/2025

In cooperation with UNESCO, the Agency for Education and Professional Training has launched a five-day training program for trainers from police institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, focused on using technology to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property.

The workshop gathered about 70 participants from key institutions including the Ministries of Civil Affairs, Security, and Defense of BiH, SIPA, Interpol, Europol, the Customs Department, as well as cultural, judicial, and academic institutions. The training aims to strengthen inter-institutional and regional coordination in tackling illegal trade in cultural goods, a growing issue in the Western Balkans.

Siniša Šešum, Head of UNESCO’s Regional Office in Sarajevo, emphasized BiH’s strong commitment to protecting cultural heritage. He thanked international partners—Interpol, Europol, the Turkish Police, Guardia Civil (Spain), and experts from Croatia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia—for their support. Given the position and size of this region, Šešum said, both as a source and a transit area, joint action in preventing the illicit trafficking of cultural property is of great importance. UNESCO proudly supports the intentions of the BiH authorities, as well as the Agency’s role, to serve as a regional center of excellence and eventually become a UNESCO Category II Center for combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property.

As a first step toward that goal, UNESCO has supported AEPTM in developing a curriculum for law enforcement units specifically aimed at fighting illicit trafficking of cultural property online — the only such program in the region, and arguably beyond. Its aim is to enhance the skills and knowledge of police officers, judges, prosecutors, and all others involved in addressing the growing crime of online illicit trade in cultural goods.

Šešum also recalled the first training held in June 2024 and highlighted UNESCO’s support for Agency for Education and Professional Training (AEPTM) in developing a unique regional curriculum to combat online trafficking in cultural goods.

Marko Vujević, Director of AEPTM, stressed the need for collaboration among institutions to effectively prevent cultural property crimes. He noted the importance of international expertise and encouraged participants to build connections for faster and more effective cooperation.

Via video link, Krista Pikat (UNESCO) and Stefano Ellero (EU Delegation to BiH) addressed the attendees. Ellero emphasized that the protection of cultural heritage is part of the EU's core values and linked the fight against cultural trafficking to combating organized crime, a key EU accession priority.

The training is led under the guidance of UNESCO expert Zeynep Boz, who developed the curriculum, focusing on the importance to preserve shared cultural heritage by fighting against the illicit trade in cultural property.