The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) launched the world’s first Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects at MONDIACULT 2025, the World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development that was held in Barcelona.
Supported by Saudi Arabia through the Saudi Fund at UNESCO, the Virtual Museum will feature more than 240 antiquities and fossils in its inaugural phase. Presented in advanced 3D technology, the museum offers visitors an unprecedented cultural experience.
Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan described the launch as “a landmark in international cooperation to safeguard our shared human heritage. This is not merely a cultural project, but a commitment to cultural justice and the preservation of humanity’s memory.”
The minister underscored the Kingdom’s keenness, under the guidance of its leadership, to be at the forefront of countries supporting these efforts. He stressed that preserving heritage is both a civilizational duty and a human responsibility.
“The Kingdom has called for strengthening international cooperation to confront the phenomenon of illicit trafficking in cultural property, and to ensure the return of rights to their original owners in order to preserve the history of nations and safeguard shared values,” Prince Bader added.
The project was inaugurated at a special ceremony on the sidelines of MONDIACULT 2025, attended by ministers, senior officials, high-level delegations, and project partners.
The initiative forms part of international efforts to combat the illicit trade in cultural heritage, strengthen global partnerships, and safeguard heritage for future generations.
As a pioneering platform, the museum aims to raise awareness about the illegal trade in cultural property and its harmful impact on societies, while emphasizing the importance of restoring stolen objects to their places of origin.
