DAVOS, Switzerland — The United Nations' culture and education agency has called for a ban in the trade of Haitian artifacts to prevent pillaging in the wake of this month's devastating earthquake.

The head of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, says in an interview with The Associated Press that the agency is launching a campaign to protect art collections in the country's damaged museums and historical sites "so that we don't find these objects in Christie's tomorrow."

She says UNESCO is launching the appeal Friday after learning "a lesson from Iraq," where cultural objects were looted after the 2003 U.S. invasion. She spoke at the World Economic Forum, a gathering of international business and political leaders. (AP)