The 1970 Convention was thus submitted to the 16th session of the General Conference of the Organization in 1970 and adopted on the14th of November that year. This Convention has made UNESCO a pioneer in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property. The 1970 Convention gives a central role to prevention.

The 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property urges States Parties to take measures to prohibit and prevent the illicit trafficking of cultural property.

The 1970 Convention gives a central role to prevention. Essential to the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property, prevention can in particular consist of : the organization of information and education campaigns. Articles 7 and 13 of the 1970 convention provide the provisions for restitution.

The Convention entered into force on 24 April 1972 with respect to States which deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession on or before 24 January 1972. The Convention enters into force three months after a State deposits its instrument of ratification, acceptance or accession.