The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities launched today the "Antiquities and Heritage: Egypt’s Soft Power" conference. Organized to coincide with the Egyptian Archaeologists’ Day celebrated every January 14, the event serves as a high-level scientific and consultative platform bridging the gap between field practitioners and academia.
The conference, held at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), brought together officials from the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), academics from Egyptian universities, and representatives of international archaeological institutes to discuss the modernization of archaeological education and training in line with global technological shifts.
A Vision for Human Capital
In his opening keynote, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, emphasized that the primary goal of the conference is to foster a "harmonious archaeological community." He noted that the synergy between executive archaeologists and the academic professors who train them is vital for the sector’s future.
"The development of our human element must go beyond specialized archaeological knowledge," Fathy stated. "We must equip our cadres with modern skills in project management, foreign languages, and digital tools to ensure they remain competitive and efficient on the global stage."
The Minister highlighted Egypt’s undisputed position in the field, asserting that the country is the "origin and foundation" of Egyptology. He expressed his vision for Egypt to become the primary global destination for postgraduate studies, master’s programs, and doctoral research in the field.
Strategic Integration and Global Cooperation
Minister Fathy revealed plans for future conferences in coordination with the Supreme Council of Universities to ensure the state provides the necessary research infrastructure, including advanced libraries and scientific references. He also noted that the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) will host specialized scientific symposiums as part of its role as a global cultural institution.
Drawing a parallel to the successful public-private partnership model in the tourism sector, the Minister underscored the importance of defining clear roles for both government and academia to drive growth. He further extended his gratitude to the international archaeological missions operating in Egypt, praising their contributions to knowledge exchange and affirming the Ministry's full support for joint collaborative programs.
Achievements and Future Milestones
Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, delivered a presentation on the Council's dual role as both an administrative and scientific guardian of Egypt’s heritage.
Key highlights from his report included:
Active Missions: Over 350 international missions from 28 countries are currently operating across 21 governorates, alongside 50 Egyptian missions.
Archaeological Discoveries: A review of major finds unearthed during 2025.
Exhibitions: The organization of over 100 local exhibitions across 32 museums and 6 major international touring exhibitions.
UNESCO World Heritage: The successful removal of the Abu Mena site from the "List of World Heritage in Danger" and the ongoing preparation of the Tel El-Amarna file for UNESCO nomination—Egypt’s first such nomination in over 20 years.
Protecting the Legacy
Dr. El-Tayeb Abbas, CEO of the NMEC, welcomed the delegates, describing antiquities as "not only soft power but a sustainable pillar of the Egyptian state." He remarked that despite rapid technological changes, the responsibility for the restoration and preservation of history remains rooted in Egyptian expertise.
The conference featured three main panel discussions focusing on:
Modern trends in archaeological education in the digital age.
Successful models of regional and international cooperation.
The symbiotic relationship between tourism and antiquities and their socio-economic impact.
The event saw the participation of former ministers, university presidents, deans of archaeology and tourism faculties, and prominent experts from the Egyptian Federation of Tourist Chambers.
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