The Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (Paris, 1970): ratified by Cambodia in 1972.

This Convention, ratified by 82 countries throughout the world, provides an international legal framework for a wide range of actions aiming to protect cultural objects against theft, vandalism and illegal exportation. At the national level, State Parties are engaged to adopt adequate protective legislative and practical measures, such as the reinforcement of security in museums and at archaeological sites, the listing of cultural objects unauthorized for exportation, the registration of the origin of objects offered for sale, or the control of trade in cultural objects. This Convention also facilitates international cooperation in locating, seizing and returning stolen or illegally exported cultural objects. Under the Convention, for example, State Parties must return to the State of origin cultural objects stolen from a museum and registered in an inventory. Several other measures also encourage cooperation in the return of illegally exported cultural objects, in particular those originating from illegal excavations.