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On 2 April 2025, the , in partnership with UNESCO as Lead Knowledge Partner, will host the first in a series of four expert-driven webinars. The event, titled “Safeguarding and Restitution of Cultural Heritage to Protect Human Rights” will bring together cultural leaders, researchers, law enforcement, and policy experts to advance collective efforts in protecting and restoring heritage as a core pillar of sustainable development and human dignity. Working documents are available on this dedicated webpage.

As part of the 2025 G20 CWG’s broader process, the Presidency of South Africa and UNESCO are organizing these online webinars to foster inclusive, forward-looking discussions that will inform the CWG’s outcomes. Designed to enrich the Group’s reflections, each session addresses one of the CWG’s four key thematic priorities and will contribute to the drafting of a comprehensive publication on cultural policy orientations.

The opening webinar will spotlight a critical global concern: the safeguarding and restitution of cultural heritage as a core component of human rights. Cultural heritage – across all its dimensions, from tangible and intangible – holds not only artistic and historical value but also embodies the identity, memory, and dignity of communities. Yet, across the world, this heritage remains under threat from conflict, illicit trafficking, and climate-induced disasters.

Experts will explore urgent topics such as combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property, supporting provenance research and due diligence, and promoting international cooperation for the return and restitution of artefacts. These discussions build on commitments made under previous G20 Presidencies and are anchored in key international instruments, including the 1970 UNESCO Convention the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, the , and the .

Additionally, the rise of digital platforms has intensified both the risks and opportunities for heritage protection. On one hand, online sales have facilitated the trafficking of stolen artefacts; on the other, they provide new tools for traceability, education, and awareness-raising. The webinar will also emphasize the critical role of cultural institutions and law enforcement in preventing and responding to such threats.

The webinar will underscore the value of museums, galleries, and community-based heritage keepers as custodians of cultural memory. These institutions play a vital role not only in preservation but also in promoting intercultural dialogue, social cohesion, and sustainable tourism. Discussions will highlight the importance of investing in cultural institutions, supporting living heritage, and leveraging digital innovation to engage younger generations.

Framed by the G20 South African Presidency’s overarching theme of “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” this webinar calls for renewed commitment to collective cultural stewardship. It invites G20 members and partners to strengthen knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and policy coherence to ensure that heritage protection is inclusive, future-proofed and forward-looking.