2nd International Conference and Exhibition on Architectural Conservation opens

He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the second "International Conference and Exhibition on Architectural Conservation: Opportunities and Challenges in 21st Century", at Dubai International Convention Centre on Sunday.

The concerence, held under the patronage of the Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Industry and Chairman of Dubai Municipality Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will last until 13 February.

He noted that the conference, which is deliberating on vital global issues concerning architectural conservation, comes as an initiative of Dubai Municipality to facilitate exchange of expertise and practical knowledge in this unique field.

"Through this conference, we express our commitment clearly towards achieving quality and innovation in this field," said Lootah.
"The renewed universal endorsement of heritage protection policies is a vital sign of encouragement to UNESCO, which needs such support in order to carry out more effectively its efforts to safeguard and promote the heritage left by the common ancestors of humankind," said Dr. Hamed Al-Hammami, UNESCO Regional Representative in the GCC countries, who spoke during the inaugural session of the conference.

Locally and internationally acclaimed academics, professionals and government officials tasked with constructional and architectural heritage conservation are attending the event.

The conference and exhibition have a general theme "Opportunities and Challenges in the 21st Century" as discussions at the event will focus on how to set new trends in architectural conservation while overcoming the challenges it faces in the modern era.

The conference follows the successful conduct of a similar event two years ago which recommended orgainising the conference once in every two years.

Rashad Bukhash, Director of General Projects Department at the Municipality and Chairman of the Conference Organising Committee, said the conference is being held in cooperation with the UNESCO, International Council of Museums (ICOM), International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), International Organization for Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ICCROM), English Heritage, and the Arab Towns Organisation.

He said the conference will see the presentation of 98 researches from 36 countries. An international specialist jury comprising experts from ten countries had selected the papers that meet the conference criteria.

Bukhash said the topics being discussed in the conference include policies of architectural conservation, concepts of sustainable development, problems of architectural heritage in the modern environment, formulating strategic objectives for development, strategies for tourism development in historic areas, public participation in heritage conservation programmes, and the importance of historic areas in the formation of modern economic and social communities.

There will be also discussions on strategies for heritage protection through valuable and original concepts, level of participation in the architectural conservation policies, use of advanced technologies in preserving historical buildings, and historical buildings preservation projects and open areas in the centres of historical cities.