Kathmandu: Nepal and the US on Thursday signed a landmark bilateral Cultural Property Agreement to preserve the Himalayan nation’s rich heritage and prevent the illicit trafficking of cultural property.
The Cultural Property Agreement (CPA) was signed by US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson and Dr Suresh S Shrestha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
“The United States, in line with its legislation, will restrict the importation into the US of certain archaeological and ethnological material from Nepal unless accompanied by a valid export certificate issued by the Government of Nepal,” according to a US embassy press release here.
The agreement covers archaeological materials dating from the Paleolithic period (around 32,000 BCE) through 1770 CE, and ethnological materials from the 13th century to 1950 CE. These include religious architectural elements, ceremonial objects and manuscripts to be identified in a designated list to be published by the US government.
Ambassador Thompson said that the agreement underscored the United States’ respect for Nepal’s cultural heritage and its commitment to preventing illicit trafficking.
Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Mukunda Prasad Niroula described the pact as a reflection of strong Nepal–US cooperation in preserving heritage for future generations.
