UNESCO conventions (heritage)

UNESCO conventions create the main international framework for heritage protection. For Switzerland, they matter for World Heritage sites, cultural property transfer controls, cooperation against illicit export, and safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. They do not usually give private parties direct ownership rights; states implement them through national law, administrative measures and international cooperation. In art-market practice, UNESCO instruments influence due diligence, import and export checks, provenance research and museum acquisition policies, especially where objects may have left a source country unlawfully.