UNESCO Regional Meeting in Geneva “New forms of agreements and cooperation in the field of the return and restitution of cultural property”
On 16 and 17 September 2026, delegates from UNESCO Member States, as well as experts from museums, academia and other fields, met in Geneva for the UNESCO regional dialogue “New forms of agreements and cooperation in the field of the return and restitution of cultural property”. The event was jointly organised by the Swiss Confederation and UNESCO.
The President of the Commission delivered the keynote address at the opening. Drawing on the example of a statue returned to its original municipality in Valais after more than a century at the Swiss Alpine Museum in Bern, she highlighted how closely cultural property can be connected to its place of origin and to the communities from which it comes.
If we can understand the wish for cultural property to be returned within Switzerland, we should extend the same understanding to restitution claims for cultural property from colonial contexts.
Through its work, the Commission seeks to foster the dialogue and cooperation that are needed. Engaging jointly with history can build trust and open pathways towards reconciliation. Cultural heritage can help bring together different perspectives and experiences. It concerns us all, forms part of our identity and creates opportunities to connect beyond our differences – through our shared humanity.
Below you will find the full keynote address by the President of the Commission.