Since the January 2011 Revolution, modern-day Egypt has fallen victim to the scourge of cultural racketeering, the systematic looting, and trafficking of art and antiquities by organized crime.
In response to this crisis, an alliance of archaeological, business, and cultural organizations came together to form the International Coalition to Protect Egyptian Antiquities (ICPEA) in March 2011.
Led by the Antiquities Coalition and the Capitol Archaeological Institute at George Washington University, the ICPEA includes a number of leading institutions such as the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA), the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR), and the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR).
On March 10, 2014, the Arab Republic of Egypt and ICPEA signed an unprecedented public-private partnership to combat cultural racketeering in Egypt.
This landmark agreement focuses the power and ingenuity of academic, business, and cultural leaders in the fight against cultural racketeering in Egypt.
At the signing ceremony in Washington, DC, Dr. Ibrahim said this initiative was the first public-private partnership ever undertaken by his ministry. “The International Coalition, since its inception in March 2011, has shown great support and exerted utmost efforts to raise awareness and combat the looting and illegal trade of Egyptian antiquities and artifacts.”
“Egyptian antiquities and sites are among the most historically significant and important in the world. In times of political transition, ancient sites and artifacts are often targets of international crime and illicit activity,” said Lehr. “We commend the government of Egypt for its efforts, and are delighted to be working together to develop and implement short and long-term solutions to ensure the protection of Egypt’s invaluable cultural heritage.”