The Egmont Group was pleased to contribute to the workshop Art Market Integrity: Balancing Heritage Protection and Financial Crime Prevention, hosted by UNIDROIT in Rome, Italy. The event brought together key stakeholders to discuss approaches to protecting cultural heritage and addressing financial crime risks.
The Egmont Group thanks UNIDROIT Secretary-General Ignacio Tirado and Principal Legal Officer Marina Schneider for the invitation to contribute to this important workshop.
Executive Secretary Jerome Beaumont participated in a panel alongside Michaela Schutz, Deputy Head of MROS and Egmont Committee member, and Alessandra Cuzzocrea, FIU Italy, moderated by Tommaso Di Ruzza.
Mr. Beaumont shared insights on the evolving risks associated with the art and antiquities market, noting that this sector often intersects with broader criminal activity, including trafficking and other illicit flows. He also highlighted the importance of international cooperation among Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) to address cross-border financial flows linked to cultural property trafficking, as well as the value of financial intelligence and information sharing in uncovering links between illicit markets and broader criminal networks.
The discussion highlighted the importance of a coordinated approach that brings together public authorities, experts, and private-sector stakeholders to better safeguard cultural heritage and strengthen financial integrity.
