Egypt has successfully recovered 21 ancient artifacts that were illegally trafficked to Australia, marking a notable milestone in the country’s global efforts to protect its cultural heritage.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Sunday that the items were retrieved from an Australian auction house after coordinated action between Egypt’s diplomatic missions in Canberra and Sydney and Australian authorities.
The handover coincided with the 75th anniversary of Egypt-Australia diplomatic relations — a symbolic moment that Egyptian officials say highlights the growing partnership between the two countries in confronting antiquities trafficking and preserving global heritage.
In a statement, the ministry emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy, noting that the recovery reflects years of determined work by the Foreign Ministry in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
“These efforts are not only about returning objects but about reclaiming fragments of Egyptian identity that were taken without consent,” the statement read.
The returned items, whose specific historical periods were not detailed, add to a growing list of antiquities Egypt has managed to repatriate in recent years. Earlier this week, the ministry announced the successful return of 25 artifacts from the United States, spanning multiple eras of ancient Egyptian civilization.
Authorities in Cairo have intensified their international campaign to retrieve stolen heritage, leveraging diplomatic ties, legal frameworks, and international cooperation to intercept illicit trade routes and reclaim looted pieces from private collectors and public institutions abroad.
Egyptian officials say the country remains committed to protecting its archaeological wealth — not only for Egyptians but as a contribution to the world’s shared history.