Organizer: Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art; the US-ASEAN Center

Type/Location: Hybrid / Washington, D.C.

Description:

The illicit trade in cultural antiquities is a growing global crisis, particularly affecting Southeast Asia. Criminal networks are looting historical sites and smuggling artifacts, undermining cultural heritage and fueling transnational crime. The United States has responded by establishing bilateral Cultural Property Agreements (CPAs) that impose import restrictions on endangered artifacts, protect collectors and institutions from acquiring looted items, and foster international law enforcement cooperation.The U.S.–Cambodia Cultural Property Agreement, first signed in 2003 and most recently renewed in 2023, has led to the successful repatriation of over 100 antiquities and stands as a model of cross-border collaboration. With Cambodia serving as the U.S. Country Coordinator for ASEAN (2024–2027), this partnership provides a timely opportunity to promote regional solutions.

In 2023, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts in Cambodia to partner on knowledge exchange and capacity building in museum practices. As a result of the MOU, the Ministry and NMAA are now collaborating on a co-curated exhibition focusing on the site of Koh Ker and the restituted objects.

The US-ASEAN Center, in partnership with the NMAA and the Antiquities Coalition, is organizing a panel discussion on the topic of Cultural Property Agreements and the U.S.-Cambodia collaboration, featuring representatives from Embassy of Cambodia, the U.S. Department of State Cultural Heritage Center, Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art and Antiquities Coalition. The dialogue will highlight the success of the U.S.–Cambodia CPA, explore pathways for broader regional collaboration, and build momentum for long-term partnerships in protecting Southeast Asia’s cultural heritage.

Featured Speakers:

• Deputy Chief of Mission Oum Socheat - Royal Embassy of Cambodia to the United States.

• Glen Davis - Director, Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State

• Emma Stein, PhD - Associate Curator of Southeast Asian and South Asian Art, Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art

• Annalisa Bolin, PhD - Regional Analyst, Cultural Heritage, Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State

• Dr. Steve Epstein - Think Tank Advisor, The Antiquities Coalition

Registration:

To attend the event in person or virtually, please register here.