Aden — Yemen has issued a powerful appeal to the international community to help stop the systematic looting and smuggling of its cultural heritage, which has intensified amid years of conflict. The call was made during the 43rd General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Speaking on behalf of the Yemeni government, Minister of Education Tareq Al-Akbari emphasized that “the battle to preserve Yemen’s cultural identity is no less vital than the struggle to restore the state.” He warned that the country’s ancient artifacts and historical sites are being stripped away, threatening the very soul of Yemen’s civilization.

Al-Akbari urged UNESCO member states to strengthen cooperation mechanisms, enhance legal frameworks, and support Yemen’s efforts to recover stolen artifacts. He also called for tighter international controls on the illicit trade of antiquities and more robust enforcement of conventions protecting cultural property.

The minister’s speech follows Yemen’s recent accession to the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention, which aims to combat the trafficking of cultural property. Just weeks earlier, Yemen successfully recovered 14 looted artifacts from New Zealand, marking a rare victory in its long fight against cultural theft barran.

UNESCO officials acknowledged the urgency of Yemen’s appeal and reiterated their commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage in conflict zones. The organization has previously supported Yemen through documentation, capacity-building, and emergency interventions to protect endangered sites and artifacts UNESCO.

Yemen’s rich cultural legacy spanning ancient kingdoms, Islamic architecture, and unique manuscripts continues to face grave threats from war, neglect, and organized smuggling networks. The government hopes that renewed international solidarity will help preserve this heritage for future generations.