The event opened with remarks by Federica Rinaldi, Director of the Museo Nazionale Romano, who underscored the significance of the re signing of the agreement within the context of Italy’s deeply layered cultural landscape.  

Representing Italy were Generale di Brigata Antonio Petti of the Comando Carabinieri per la Tutela del Patrimonio Culturale and officers from Italy’s heritage crime unit, whose work remains central to the protection of the nation’s archaeological patrimony. The United States delegation included Special Assistant Nicole Colameta, Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Department of State, Rachel Cooke, Minister Counselor for Public Diplomacy, Katherine Gonzalez, Special Advisor to the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy, and Karen Schinnerer, Press Attaché for the Office of Public Diplomacy.

Now extended for an additional five years, the re-signing of this agreement by both countries marks the 25th anniversary of this bilateral instrument.  As such, the accord reflects an ongoing commitment by both nations to confront the illicit trafficking of archaeological and historical materials, a problem that continues to threaten the preservation of global heritage which impacts both source and market countries. 

The first iteration of this agreement was negotiated by the United States Department of State in 2001 pursuant to U.S. legislation implementing the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. At that time Italy was confronting significant and widespread looting of archaeological sites, including those associated with Etruscan, Roman, and Greek civilizations. The United States, as a principal destination within the global art market, collaborated closely with Italy to establish a framework that would restrict the importation of undocumented antiquities and reinforce legitimate avenues for scholarly research and cultural exchange. The agreement sought to diminish the financial incentives that drive illicit excavation by preventing the sale and circulation of objects lacking a documented and lawful provenance.

Over the years this memorandum has been renewed on several occasions, with each renewal expanding cooperation between law enforcement agencies, customs authorities, academic institutions, and museums. The partnership has led to the successful recovery and repatriation of numerous artefacts, strengthening the legal and ethical standards that govern the movement of cultural property.

The 2025 renewal preserves import restrictions on designated categories of Italian cultural objects and enhances information sharing on theft, trafficking networks, and the illicit art trade. It also reinforces commitments to joint research, training programs, and conservation efforts that support responsible stewardship of archaeological and historical materials.

Officials from both countries emphasised that the re signing of this agreement represents more than a legal instrument and affirmed that, without the sustained dedication of law enforcement and prosecutorial partners in the United States, including the FBI, HSI ICE and the New York District Attorney’s Office -Manhattan Antiquities Trafficking Unit, as well as in Italy, notably the Comando Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale, the numerous restitutions of cultural property stolen in Italy and returned from the United States, presented at this important event would not have been possible. Their collective efforts to combat cultural property crime and to ensure the return of unlawfully removed heritage to its rightful country of origin were recognised as essential to the continued success of this bilateral cooperation.

As both nations look ahead to the next five years of cooperation, the renewed memorandum stands as a clear affirmation of their shared responsibility to safeguard the world’s cultural legacy. By supporting these legal frameworks, enhancing professional collaboration, and supporting the ethical circulation of cultural material, Italy and the United States reaffirm their commitment to protecting heritage for future generations. This continued partnership not only counters the harms inflicted by the illicit trade in antiquities but also promotes mutual understanding, respect, and stewardship between two countries united in their dedication to preserving the irreplaceable record of human history.