Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, congratulated Japan earlier this month for its ratification of the 1970 Convention on the Prevention of the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. Meanwhile, he has also welcomed the US back into the UNESCO fold. Japan’s signing of the convention follows that of the UK, where the document was accepted on July 31 of this year, and precedes Switzerland, which is expected to sign up during 2003. With the prominence of the art market in such nations, their acceptance of the convention is considered vital in the struggle against the illegal trafficking of cultural heritage. ‘The ratification of countries like Great Britain, Japan, and Switzerland is fundamental, given their leading role on the world art market. I would further call on all states to follow these examples and ratify, in turn, this essential text,’ Matsuura commented. ‘The example of Afghanistan reminds us that each work of art contains part of a nation’s soul and that the renaissance of a country also requires the restitution of its stolen art.’ Adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference in November 1970, the convention was the first worldwide legal instrument for the protection of cultural property against pillage and illegal sale, and has been ratified by more than 90 nations. Meanwhile, Matsuura has also welcomed a recent announcement by US President George W Bush that his nation would now officially re-engage with the work of UNESCO. ‘I’m sure all 188 member states... will also welcome this good news,’ the Director-General affirmed, ‘The United States was a founding member of UNESCO, helping to shape its 1945 constitution upholding fundamental human rights, the free flow of ideas and information, scientific and cultural co-operation, and educational opportunity for all… I believe the United States’ return to UNESCO supports effective reform and renewal within the multilateral system, affirming UNESCO’s steady forward progress over the past years.’ The US is said to have quit UNESCO in 1984, and ceased its payments for UNESCO's budget, over the New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) project designed to lessen world media dependence on the ‘big four’ wire agencies (AP, UPI, Agence France-Presse, Reuters).