ISSN: 2225-8329
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Cultural property constitutes an essential component of national identity and collective memory, yet illicit trafficking increasingly threatens its preservation and lawful transmission. Although international conventions establish extensive protective obligations, a gap remains between international legal commitments and effective national implementation. This study examines the effectiveness of the UNESCO 1970 Convention in combating illicit trafficking of cultural property and its integration with the legal framework of the United Arab Emirates. A qualitative descriptive-analytical, doctrinal, and comparative legal approach is employed to analyse international conventions, UAE legislation, and relevant institutional mechanisms. The findings indicate that the Convention has strengthened preventive regulation, documentation, restitution, and international cooperation, while practical effectiveness remains dependent on domestic legislative alignment and institutional enforcement. The UAE demonstrates substantial conformity through Federal Law No. 11 of 2017. The study contributes an integrated legal-effectiveness framework connecting international obligations, national implementation, preventive enforcement, international cooperation, and restitution in strengthening cultural-property protection.
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