Under New Leadership, CINOA Mobilizes 50+ Groups to Defend Art Trade
Preserving the freedom to collect, trade, and exhibit cultural heritage responsibly
19 June 2025, Brussels – As sweeping cultural property laws increasingly threaten the global art and antiques trade, CINOA—the International Confederation of Art and Antique Dealer Associations—issues a rallying call for unity across the cultural sector. Museums, collectors, artists, scholars, auction houses, and dealers must stand together to protect the freedom to collect, exhibit, and responsibly trade cultural objects.
CINOA emphasizes that the right to own, share, and exchange cultural objects must not be undermined by one-size-fits-all regulations. The organization invites all stakeholders—from independent dealers to institutional leaders—to join its growing coalition and ensure that legislation supports cultural exchange instead of stifling it.
CINOA: A Global Voice for Cultural Heritage
At its 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and CINOA Advocacy Network (CAN) Roundtable held in Milan (June 4–6), CINOA brought together over 20 organizations from 11 countries. Participants included dealer associations, auction houses, trade fairs, legal experts, and scholars—underscoring CINOA’s role as the only global coalition representing the full spectrum of the art and antiques market.
Representing over 5,000 dealers worldwide, CINOA spans a vast range of specialties—from ancient artifacts to contemporary art—including antiquities, tribal art, fine and decorative arts, numismatics, rare books, manuscripts, jewelry, design, and more. This diversity uniquely equips the federation to speak on the real-world impact of cultural legislation across all segments of the market.
New Leadership, Renewed Commitment
At the AGM, Patrick Mestdagh—a Belgian non-European arts specialist and tireless advocate for the trade—was unanimously elected President of CINOA. He succeeds Clinton Howell, whose dedicated leadership and many contributions to the organisation were warmly and gratefully acknowledged by the AGM.
“CINOA’s strength lies in our shared commitment to cultural stewardship,” said Mestdagh. “Now is the time to unite—dealers, curators, scholars, collectors—to defend the art trade as a guardian of global heritage.”
“The international art and antiques trade is more than commerce—it’s a cultural bridge connecting generations and civilizations,” said Erika Bochereau, Secretary General of CINOA since 2005. “We must ensure that the art and antiques trade remains a vital, respected part of preserving and sharing our shared cultural heritage.”
Press Contacts: Erika Bochereau: secretary@cinoa.org, Patrick Mestdagh: info@patrickmestdagh.com
@cinoaforart www.cinoa.org
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Notes to Editors
Milan CINOA Advocacy Network (CAN) and AGM: Tackling Today’s Regulatory Challenges
Key discussions at the 2025 Milan June 5 and 6 meetings addressed pressing policy issues, including:
- The implementation of EU anti-money laundering rules
- Upcoming VAT changes
- The EU Import Regulation for non-EU cultural goods
- Ongoing challenges with UNESCO and CITES policies
- Unjustified EU Member State policies hindering the internal trade of cultural goods
- Discrepancies in national treasure laws and how to address them
- The outdated 1993 EU export threshold
- Urgent calls for coordinated solutions to the issue of orphan cultural goods
- US Tariffs and possible EU and UK retaliatory tariffs
CINOA’s Advocacy in Action
CINOA’s efforts have already had tangible global impact. Advocacy achievements include:
- Initiating the EU Expert Group “Dialogue with the Art Market”, creating formal engagement with EU policymakers
- Preserving legal trade in antique ivory within the EU, by consistently urging officials to differentiate historic objects from modern ivory
- Influencing EU import rules to focus only on non-EU goods, establishing higher thresholds to limit the number of goods affected and calling for clear, workable guidance
- Advocating against disproportionate AML obligations on micro-businesses by highlighting the sector’s unique structure and practical implementation challenges
- Alerting Members to new legal developments through e-alerts and the quarterly CINOA Legislation Monitor
- Consulting with UNESCO, FATF, and U.S. and EU authorities to correct false narratives about the trade
- Supporting Members negotiations on reduced rates of VAT on imports and sales
- Partnering with Ronati to launch the Guide to Trade Associations for Sellers of Art and Antiques
- Maintaining the CINOA website as a resource hub for the trade, offering position papers, a due diligence e-toolkit, and the CINOA Code of Ethics
Become a Member, Sponsor, or Friend of CINOA
To expand its reach and impact, CINOA invites all stakeholders in the cultural sector—dealers, associations, auction houses, fairs, collectors, curators, academics, and advocates—to become part of its growing international coalition. You can support CINOA’s mission by joining as a Member, Associate Member, Sponsor, or Friend of CINOA. Each role strengthens the voice of responsible trade and helps protect global access to cultural heritage.
“The more united we are, the stronger our influence,” said Bochereau. “Now is the time to engage.”
For more information and to get involved, visit www.cinoa.org or contact CINOA secretary@cinoa.org
Discover more about us
CINOA is the principal stakeholder representing the art trade. Our objective is to represent and promote responsible trade in the art market with a focus on cultural conservation and the trade’s role in preserving, protecting, and promoting cultural heritage. Our membership consists of 31 groups in 20 countries including 13 EU Member States totaling about 5,000 dealers and auction houses:
The Australian Antique Dealers Association Ltd -Australia, Bundesgremium des Uhren, Juwelen-, Kunst, Antiquitäten und Briefmarkenhandels –Austria, ROCAD- The Royal Chamber of Art Dealers –Belgium, The Canadian Antique Dealers Association-Canada, Czech Association of Antique Dealers –Czech Republic, Danish Art and Antique Dealers Association –Denmark, Christies –France, Comité Professionnel des Galeries d’Art –France, Syndicat des Négociants en Art –France, Drouot –France, Syndicat National des Maisons de Ventes Volontaires –France, Kunsthändlerverband Deutschland –Germany, The Irish Antique Dealers Association –Ireland, Associazione Antiquari d’Italia –Italy, Association of Fine Art Dealers In the Netherlands –Netherlands, TEFAF-The European Foundation of Fine Art –Netherlands, The Union of the Norwegian Art and Antique Dealers –Norway, Art and Antique Dealers Association of Poland –Poland, Associação Portugesa Antiquários –Portugal, International Confederation of Antique and Art Dealers of Russia –Russia, Federacón Española de Anticuarios –Spain, Swedish Art Antique Dealers Association –Sweden, Kunsthändelsverband der Schweiz/ Association du Commerce d’Art de la Suisse –Switzerland, Verband Schweizerischer Antiquare und Kunsthändler Switzerland, Verband Schweizer Galerien Switzerland, The British Antique Dealers Association –UK, LAPADA – The Association of Art and Antiques Dealers –UK, Art And Antique Dealers League of America –USA, The Authentic Tribal Art Dealers Association –USA, The National Antique and Art Dealers Association of America –USA, The International Association of Dealers in Ancient Art –International, International Association of Professional Numismatists-International, The International League of Antiquarian Book Sellers –International
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