The International Conference of Architectural Heritage in Islamic Countries opens under the patronage of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Sunday with representation from 34 Arab nations. Under the legend “Economic Development for an Architectural Heritage to be Proud of”, the gathering has been organized by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) with collaboration from King Saud University and the ministries of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Education and Higher Education, Culture and Information, and Finance, to bring in the participation of 28 ministers from Arab countries and 10 heads of global organizations. Over 100 researchers and specialists will also be in attendance to discuss 165 working papers addressing topics such as building renovation, traditional village heritage sites, evaluating the current status of architectural heritage in Islamic countries, and setting the frameworks for future development of the economic, social and cultural aspects of architectural heritage. The conference will also seek to highlight the cultural, economic, social, and tourist importance of architectural heritage as a fundamental development sector in Islamic countries. The conference will mainly focus, however, on current efforts to preserve architectural heritage in Islamic countries and the successful projects in that regard, looking at their economic dimensions, media awareness efforts, government work and the work of the private sector, research and innovation, and environmental changes and their effect on architectural heritage. An accompanying exhibition will highlight the most notable architectural works in Islamic countries. There is also a display from a photography competition held to portray the Kingdom's sites of architectural interest, as well as a book fair dedicated to architectural heritage and a display of the work of traditional restoration craftsmen. Among the notable figures scheduled to speak at the conference are SCTA President Prince Sultan Bin Salman, Mayor of Riyadh Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Ayyaf, Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, and Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organization Taleb Rifai.
