NMEC Delegation Participates in Cultural Heritage Digitization Forum 2025 in China

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, represented by the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), took part in the Cultural Heritage Digitization Forum 2025, hosted in Xi’an, China, under the theme “Linking History with Digitization, Building Civilization with Intelligence.” The event gathered over 800 participants from more than 50 countries and regions, along with nine international organizations, including UNESCO, the World Intellectual Property Organization, and the International Councils of Museums and Monuments & Sites.

The Egyptian delegation was headed by Dr. El-Tayeb Abbas, CEO of NMEC, alongside Dr. Nashwa Gaber, Deputy CEO for Archaeological Affairs, and Eng. Mohamed Azzam, Director of the Museum’s Information Center.

Discussions at the forum revolved around four key themes: preservation and heritage, technology and innovation, industry and empowerment, and openness and cooperative governance. The event also featured nearly 100 digitization projects from countries such as China, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy, showcasing the latest digital applications in cultural heritage preservation.

In his keynote speech on behalf of Egypt, Dr. Abbas expressed appreciation to China for hosting this significant international event, stressing that digitization is a strategic tool for safeguarding cultural heritage through documentation, site revival, and broader access to knowledge for future generations. He also highlighted the success of Egyptian-Chinese cooperation in applying advanced digital technologies, noting that NMEC aspires to become a leading regional hub for cultural heritage digitization and a laboratory for international collaboration in cultural technologies.

On the sidelines, the Egyptian delegation held meetings with several Chinese cultural institutions specializing in heritage preservation and digital visitor engagement. They also met with the Director of the National Museum of Arts and Crafts in Beijing to explore prospects for cooperation in training and knowledge exchange, aiming to deepen cultural ties between Egypt and China while sharing pioneering experiences in museum development.

The forum underscored the importance of strengthening international capacities in cultural heritage digitization, providing a global platform for sharing expertise and best practices to ensure the preservation and sustainability of humanity’s shared heritage for future generations.