What must states do according to Article 7a of UNESCO 1970?

According to Article 7a of the UNESCO 1970 Convention, states have a responsibility to take measures to prevent museums from acquiring cultural property that has been illegally exported. This provision emphasizes the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage and ensuring that museums do not become complicit in the trade of looted or illegally obtained artifacts. By preventing such acquisitions, states contribute to the broader goals of protecting cultural heritage and promoting ethical standards in the art market.

In this context, the other options either extend beyond the specific provisions of Article 7a or do not accurately encapsulate the obligations defined by the convention. Maintaining a national inventory of cultural property, conducting regular audits of art museums, and returning stolen cultural property, while relevant to the broader conversation around cultural heritage protection, are not the direct obligations outlined in Article 7a. The focus here is on proactive measures to avoid the acquisition of illegally obtained property by institutions.