Basilinna

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Antiquities Coalition, I am honored to reflect on the remarkable achievements of our organization and the significant strides we have made in the fight against cultural racketeering -- the illicit trade in antiquities. When I founded this organization in 2014, we faced the daunting challenge of raising awareness about the threats of antiquities looting -- an issue that many viewed as a victimless crime. Today, there is increased awareness and a growing political will to seek solutions. We stand united with a diverse network of officials, partners, advocates, and supporters who share our mission, creating meaningful change to protect cultural heritage around the world. Over the past decade, we have developed actionable recommendations for governments, the private sector, and civil society, raised awareness at key international conferences, launched impactful campaigns, and published significant research that has transformed our approach to this global crisis that not only threatens are shared heritage but jobs, economic growth and at times, national security. As we look to the future, we remain committed to serving as a pioneer, a catalyst for change, and most importantly, a coalition. We are honored that institutions from the G20, Nato, World Bank to governments like the U.S., Egypt, Cambodia and the KSA to long standing and respected archaeological organizations such as the University of Pennsylvania are now also seeking solutions to the illegal trade of antiquities and looting. A heartfelt thank you to all who have supported us on this journey. Your dedication inspires us to keep pushing forward.

Welcome to the Basilinna team, Pepe Zhang! We are delighted to welcome Pepe as our new Senior Fellow at Basilinna. Pepe joins us after six years at the Atlantic Council, where he built and led its Latin American economic policy work, including this pivotal region’s evolving relationship with China and the United States. With prior experience as a trade and investment consultant at the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB), he is well-versed in the policy impact and key political dynamics facing Chinese, U.S., and Latin American organizations at the regional and global level. Located in Shanghai, Pepe will enhance Basilinna’s ability to connect and foster business across key markets, providing our clients with informed perspectives that will help them?compete and excel.? ? "Basilinna delivers a unique blend of business advisory, insights, and deep partnerships that empowers smart decisions. I’m thrilled to collaborate with Basillina’s impressive network of colleagues and clients in Asia-Pacific and beyond."?- Pepe Zhang Please join us in welcoming Pepe to the Basilinna team!?

Celebrating women entrepreneurs everywhere! Yesterday was?Women's Entrepreneurship Day, and we’re taking a moment to celebrate the trailblazing women who are breaking barriers, building businesses, and driving innovation around the world. While women make up half of the global population, they contribute only 37% of the world’s GDP. Closing this gap isn’t just necessary—it’s transformative. Empowering women entrepreneurs accelerates global growth and builds towards creating a more equitable future. At Basilinna, this mission hits close to home. Founded by three women partners, our firm is a testament to the power of women-led businesses. We’re proud to help companies thrive and compete in a changing world while advancing equity in our sector. Learn more about our story and join us in supporting the incredible contributions of women entrepreneurs: https://lnkd.in/e8WApdJu #WomenInBusiness #WomensEntrepreneurshipDay #WomenEntrepreneurs

The recent decline in venture capital (VC) investment in China has far-reaching consequences, not only for the startup ecosystem but also for the broader Chinese economy. Once a vibrant hub for entrepreneurial activity, China’s startup scene is now facing significant challenges as VC funding drops to its lowest levels in years. Basilinna Chair and CEO?Deborah Lehr?recently shared her insights with?The Diplomat, exploring how the decline in capital investment in China is stalling the creation of new businesses, affecting employment, and slowing the pace of technological innovation – factors that collectively threaten the country’s long-term economic trajectory and President Xi Jinping’s ambitions. For the full article, head to?The Diplomat: https://lnkd.in/gV-ZdQyj To dive deeper with visuals, check out the feature on our Insights Blog: https://lnkd.in/emMZ9bSX #InsightsByBasilinna #VentureCapital #ChinaEconomy

The Antiquities Coalition congratulates?H.E. Mykola Tochytskyi on his recent appointment as?Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine.?I was honored to join him this week to discuss how we can better work together to protect the rich cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people. This is a key priority for the AC as an organization and also myself as an individual. We were honored to support them in their negotiations for a cultural MOU with the United States to stop imports of Ukrainian antiquities to the U.S. market at this critical time. The appointment of Minister?Tochytskyi—an incredibly experienced diplomat who has held numerous leadership positions in the Foreign Ministry—demonstrates Ukraine’s commitment to this issue. It comes at a critical time.?Since the 2022 Russian invasion, in a policy orchestrated from the top by Vladimir Putin himself, cultural heritage has become an effective weapon of war.?Kremlin allies have used the art market to evade sanctions and launder money, while organized looters pillage museums, and?armed forces intentionally target sites for destruction—an atrocity crime in and of itself, as well as a warning sign of impending genocide. The Antiquities Coalition?is a proud partner and ally of the Ministry, eager to collaborate in raising awareness and advocating for better laws and policies to protect cultural heritage in conflict. We thank the Minister for his time and his dedication to this important effort.

With President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House, China faces a familiar yet unpredictable challenge. During his first term, Trump’s hardline stance reshaped U.S.-China relations, pivoting to a more confrontational approach centered on trade imbalances, tariffs, and restrictions on technology. In the third installment of our three-part series on the U.S. election outcome, Basilinna Chair of Asia-Pacific, Gracie Sun, explores how a second Trump presidency could reshape China's economic strategies and its approach to international engagement. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eQU8JC3d #Geopolitics #USChinaRelations #InsightsByBasilinna

It was an honor to moderate a thoughtful discussion as part of @Meridian International Center's "Cultural Diplomacy Salon Series" in partnership with the Antiquities Coalition and Lugano Diamonds, focused on the Illicit Art Market and the Fight for Cultural Preservation. Cultural racketeering is not just the romantic subject of Hollywood films and Daniel Silva books -- it poses immediate threats to national security, global economy, and human rights around the world. Distinguished experts, including Tess Davis (Executive Director, Antiquities Coalition), Jessica Dittmer (Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Art Crime Team), and Dr. Richard Kurin (Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador at Large, Smithsonian Institution), joined us to explore the far-reaching impacts of art crime on the world today -- and importantly, why we should do something about it --?in front of an audience of government, military, civil society, and the private sector. The AC is proud to work with partners to?bring together diverse experts and perspectives to strengthen the global response to cultural racketeering, ensuring that culture remains a force for connection and diplomacy -- not sold to the highest bidder. (Photo Credit Stephen Bobb Photography) -----

Türkiye-China economic relations continue to strengthen as Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek wrapped up a visit to Beijing on November 8. In our latest insight, our team at the Basilinna Institute partnered with Corpera Consulting to dive into the evolving economic relationship between China and Türkiye. With trade between the two nations exceeding $48 billion, this bilateral relationship represents immense opportunities for growth, collaboration, and innovation. Our latest insight explores the growing Türkiye-China partnership, Türkiye’s gateway advantage, global diversification strategy, and more. Read the full insight here: https://lnkd.in/e-m-WWnk #Trade #EmergingMarkets #BasilinnaInstitute #InsightsByBasilinna

It is such an honor to be part of the WAVE team to support the launch of Ocean Central - powered by FII - and to be part of HRH Princess Reema's "radical collaborative" initiative to achieve Professor Carlos Duarte's vision of regenerating our oceans in one lifetime. Ocean Central will merge the best available ocean data to monitor progress toward ocean conservation and restoration. And the Red Sea Global is playing an important role in meeting this challenge. #Wave #FII8 #RedSeaglobal

On November 8, China's National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) approved a proposal to refinance local government debt aimed at addressing the significant “hidden debt” incurred by provincial governments burdened by large unfunded mandates. In our recent brief by the Basilinna Institute, our team dives into the careful balancing act China faces between economic stabilization and long-term fiscal prudence, and the implications of this strategy for global markets. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e4KXAPpy #ChinaEconomy #BasilinnaInstitute #GlobalMarkets #EconomicPolicy