Turkey seals agreement with UN drug agency

Turkey to financially aid U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime for a venture aimed at curbing the abuse of cultural artifacts in international criminal networks and money laundering operations.

, and Administrator

2025 September 13 . 2:35 PM

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Turkey signs agreement with UN drug agency

Turkey seals agreement with UN drug agency

In a significant move to combat the use of cultural property in transnational organized crime and money laundering activities, Turkey and the United Nations have joined forces on a new project. The details of the agreement, named "Improving the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Southeast Europe and Preventing the Use of Cultural Assets in Transnational Organized Crime and Money Laundering Activities," were published in Wednesday's issue of the Official Gazette.

The project, which aims to prevent the use of cultural assets in illicit activities, is part of a broader initiative to combat "multi-faceted serious organized" crime threats. Turkey will financially assist the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with the exact amount of financial assistance not explicitly stated in the available search results. However, a contribution agreement between Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism and UNODC was signed on February 13, 2025, and approved shortly thereafter, indicating formal cooperation between the two entities.

The U.N. will be responsible for monitoring and regularly reviewing the project, ensuring its successful progress. In case of any circumstances that hinder or threaten the project's progress, Turkey and UNODC have agreed to immediately inform each other.

The project focuses on improving the protection of cultural heritage in Southeast Europe. By doing so, it hopes to not only safeguard the region's rich history but also disrupt the financial mechanisms that fuel transnational organized crime.

The agreement was approved by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, underscoring its importance in Turkey's foreign policy. This collaboration marks a significant step towards strengthening international cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime and the protection of cultural heritage.