Yemen Signs Third Temporary Custody Agreement with Metropolitan Museum of Art

Aden – Yemen’s Ambassador to the United States, Jamila Ali Raja, announced Monday the signing of a third temporary custody agreement between the Yemeni government and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, marking another step in efforts to safeguard and recover Yemeni antiquities abroad.

In a post on X, Raja said the agreement followed “the first voluntary local restitution,” describing the move as progress in cooperation between the two sides to protect Yemen’s cultural heritage. 

She expressed hope that the achievement would encourage individuals or institutions holding Yemeni artifacts believed to have left the country through illicit channels to collaborate with Yemeni authorities and return them.

The ambassador thanked Metropolitan Museum Director Max Hollein and his team, highlighting what she called the institution’s commitment to preserving Yemen’s heritage.

The new agreement comes as Yemen intensifies diplomatic and legal efforts to track and recover antiquities scattered worldwide, amid growing concerns over cultural property trafficking during years of war and instability. 

Yemen’s cultural heritage has suffered extensive losses in recent years due to looting, smuggling, and damage to archaeological sites and historical collections.

Authorities, in partnership with international organizations, museums, and cultural institutions, are working to secure temporary custody of Yemeni artifacts until conditions allow their safe return. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has emerged as one of the leading partners in this endeavor, reflecting broader international efforts to combat illicit trade in cultural property and protect vulnerable heritage from trafficking.