INTERPOL

The International Criminal Police Commission (INTERPOL) is an intergovernmental organisation independent of the UN but with a permanent observer status. Comprising 180+ countries, INTERPOL aims to promote partnership and mutual assistance among criminal police forces and to develop frameworks and institutions that target and prevent international crime. It is the only police organisation that spans the globe. The topic for this committee will be illicit artifact trafficking and maritime crime. The black market cultural artifacts trade has been around for centuries and remains one of the most profitable types of criminal activity. This trade not only harms museums, governments, cultural institutions, and archeological sites but also fuels organized crime and helps finance terrorism. In 2025, more than 37,000 illegally trafficked archeological artifacts were apprehended by INTERPOL, with Ukrainian customs alone intercepting 87 artifacts that smugglers were attempting to export to Poland, Moldova, and Romania. Following this, considering that more than 90% of the world’s goods are transported by sea, the easiest method to transport illicit goods is across oceans and coastal waters. INTERPOL has marked maritime crime as one of the most prevalent issues, as they threaten freedom of navigation, global trade, the lives of seafarers, and international security. Because the sea represents a gray area in enforcement, it is paramount that INTERPOL step in to bridge the gap and address maritime trafficking of weapons, drugs, valuables, and human beings. I hope this committee can explore in depth dilemmas of archeological ethics, national sovereignty in shared waters, and global police cooperation for targeting international trafficking.

Chair

Topics

1. Illicit Antiquities Trafficking

2. International Maritime Crime

Rules and Procedure

This committee follows parliamentary procedure as defined in our Standard Committee Parley Pro Document. However, procedure during committee may be modified at the Chair’s discretion.

Position Paper

All delegates wishing to be considered for an award must submit a position paper before the start of conference. Position paper quality will be included in consideration of awards, however paper quality will not hold as much weight in award consideration as actual committee performance. Position papers are meant to ensure a basis for delegate research and help delegates feel confident while participating during the conference.

Detailed instructions for writing and submitting Position Papers can be found in the Position Paper Guidelines Document.

Questions

If you have questions about committee content or the format of your committee, please contact your Chair at contact@ctmun.org with “INTERPOL” in the subject line.

For questions about CTMUN conference and logistics, please contact contact@ctmun.org.