As part of the increased attention paid to cultural and historical heritage, the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (Culture Department) organized, in collaboration with the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture and Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a forum titled “Preservation of Underwater Heritage in the Arab World.” The forum was held at Bibliotheca Alexandrina on December 24-26, 2024, bringing together experts, researchers, and specialists in archaeology, history, and marine studies from across the Arab world.
The Forum was designed to :
- Highlight underwater heritage as an integral part of Arab cultural identity, including submerged archaeological sites and underwater historical complexes;
- Promote the sharing of knowledge and expertise, and encourage partnerships between companies and academic institutions to share best practices in underwater heritage exploration and preservation;
- Discuss challenges and opportunities, including obstacles to developing underwater heritage preservation projects and the opportunities to promote this heritage as a form of cultural tourism.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Humaid Al-Nofali, Director of Culture at ALECSO, stressed ALECSO’s growing interest in this type of heritage, noting that the Forum was designed to raise awareness about the significance of underwater heritage and the role of water in advancing the Arab civilization.
The opening session was attended by Dr. Ahmed Zayed, Director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina, along with the Assistant Secretary-General of the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science, and Culture, and the Deputy Governor of Alexandria.
