Sheikh Hamdan Opens 3rd International Architectural Conservation Conference And Exhibition
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Minister of Finance and Chairman of Dubai Municipality has opened The 3rd International Architectural Conservation Conference & Exhibition on Monday 17 December at 9.30 am, Dubai World Trade Centre, Al Maktoum Hall.
The third edition of the conference held under the theme of ’Architectural Conservation: Present and Future’, organized by Architectural Heritage Department of Dubai Municipality will continue until 19th December 2012.
This conference is the third in a series of global conferences organized by Dubai Municipality in 2004 and 2007 in the field of heritage aiming at the follow-up of changes and developments in the world and the exchange of knowledge and experiences.
During the inauguration of the morning session of first day, Eng. Hussain Nassir Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality said we are pleased to meet under the umbrella of third International Conference and Exhibition to preserve the architectural heritage in the city of Dubai, city of creativity, achievement, excellence and originality.
There is no doubt that the world today is in a scientific move towards the documentation of heritage through its scholars and researchers, considering the role heritage in the origination and consolidation of identity and deepening communication with what the ancestors left from material and moral legacy. Hence, it became necessary to take care of heritage to look to the future with a distinctive vision and ground.
’We live in a changing world in various spheres of life, to the extent that, the globalization is about to sweep the world ending the identities and heritage of peoples, or affecting the vision, heritage, culture and identity, thus preservers of heritage today became a key objective of a comprehensive process to develop contemporary societies for its requirements and updates of life, and to confirm its values and belonging to the national identity," Lootah said.
’Dubai Municipality, since the eighties of last century, has been showing strong interest in preserving the architectural heritage; it has restored almost 178 buildings during past twenty years, most notably: Historical Shindagha, Al Fahidi Fort, Ahmadiya School, Al Ras Quarter and Hatta Heritage Village...etc. The Civic Body is currently working hard on the registration of Dubai Creek and adjacent historic areas in the list of World Heritage at UNESCO, he said.
He thanked the sponsors, participants and attendees wishing them all the best to benefit from the conference and deepen cultural exchanges and cooperation among intellectuals, scientists and decision-makers in the service of the Architectural Heritage in line with changes witnessed by the world.
H.H Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud , President and Chairman of the board , Saudi Commission for the Tourism and Antiquities , KSA presented the first keynote speech during which the prince highlighted the efforts of Saudi Arabia in the field of conservation of heritage and architecture and expressed his willingness to exchange the knowledge and experience.
Eng. Rashad Bukhash started his speech with an Arabic poem welcoming the guest and audience and the famous quote of H.H Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, father of the UAE, that "There is no present or future for a nation without past".
He said we are proud of past and present and should learn from the life of our ancestors the values and morals that we cherished through the centuries.
The third edition of the conference is designed to unify the energy of the professional conservation community. This conference and exhibition gather international experts in the field of conservation-restoration to exchange expertise and strategies for conserving historical buildings, protecting heritage sites and developing the urban landscape in a sustainable manner.
Rashad highlighted the achievements of the UAE and Dubai Municipality in the preservation of heritage, architecture and culture and said that the Al Ain City is the first arab city registered with UNESCO in 2011 and six more historical places in UAE are proposed to be registered with UNESCO.
He briefed the activities of three day conference and exhibition and topics of conference namely: Policies, strategies and decision making in historic environment, Economics of conservation and sustainable environment, Cultural development and awareness, Management of cultural heritage in historic areas, Project implementation and practical aspects of urban conservation. Around 130 speakers from 31 countries are talking about different aspects of the theme.
Eng. Rashad also moderated the panel discussion on the topic : Architectural Conservation attended by a team of national and international experts.
In the afternoon session, H.E Shaikha Mai Bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Culture, Kingdom of Bahrain presented the topic: Conservation of Architectural Heritage in Kingdom of Bahrain.
In the evening session, international architectural heritage experts presented different papers on diversified subjects.
In the second day of conference, H.E Gustavo Araoz, Chair of International Council of Monuments and Sites, ICOMOS, France will be the chief guest.
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Dec 17, 2012
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