UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NUBIA MUSEUM IN ASWAN AND THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN CIVILIZATION IN CAIRO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOURTEENTH SESSION CAIRO/ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT, 7 – 9 March 2004 FINAL REPORT INTRODUCTION 1. The Executive Committee of the International Campaign for the Establishment of the Nubia Museum in Aswan and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo held its Fourteenth Session in Cairo and Alexandria (Egypt) from 7 to 9 March 2004 at the kind invitation of the Egyptian Government. 2. The representatives of fourteen countries (see Annex 1), elected by the General Conference of UNESCO at its 32nd Session, participated in the meeting. Representatives of the International Council of Museums (ICOM), the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA) attended the meeting as observers. 3. On behalf of the Minister of Culture, H. E. Mr Farouk Hosni, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), and Vice President of the Committee, Dr Zahi Hawass, welcomed the participants and wished them every success in their work. He pointed out the importance attached by the Egyptian authorities to the outstanding contribution made by the Executive Committee of the International Campaign and expressed satisfaction with the work that had been done. Having recalled the activities in favor of the Nubia Museum and their achievements since the Thirteenth Session of the Executive Committee in November 2002, he went on to review the progress of the project for the establishment of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC). He stressed the need for on-going training for the staff of NMEC at all levels, and the particular importance of education in the field of cultural heritage. He also mentioned the wealth of collections in Egypt's museums, from where a selection of objects could be made for the NMEC. In particular he underlined that the decision of the Ministry of Culture to have the royal mummies exhibited at the NMEC is important for attracting foreign tourists at the museum. He also believed that the vision for the NMEC should be developed taking into consideration the museums’ context in Egypt. 4. Dr. Hawass explained that the general concept of museums has nowadays changed. They are expected to play more important roles: they are not only cultural institutions, but educational ones as well. Currently the SCA is working on building 13 new museums in Egypt, five of which are major ones. The Great Egyptian Museum, for example, will display 1 artifacts of King Tutankhamoun. He also informed the presents that the Coptic museum should be opened to the public within 13 months, and that following the celebration of the centennial of Cairo Museum in 2002, the extension of the Luxor museum, as well as the renovation of the Greco-Roman museum, are to be completed within the few coming months. Dr Hawass reiterated that it is very important for museums not to repeat themselves, but that there is a need to introduce new ideas, such as the Portraits' museum in Fayoum, and the Mosaics' museum in Alexandria, for which construction work will soon start. Through museums, it is sought to educate children, educate adults, and raise awareness among locals about the importance of their past. Moreover, the SCA is in the process of opening 30 open storage museums, each with a conservation laboratory, photographic laboratory, offices, etc… 5. Dr Hawass added that immediate action should be taken towards accommodating tourism and monuments’ preservation. The SCA has already started a site management programme, for example, on the unfinished obelisk in Alexandria, which would take into account conservation, preservation, safety and accessibility and education. Moreover, recalling the importance to document monuments, he pointed out that there is a consistent lack of information when visiting sites. He also mentioned Kalabsha island, where 70% of the works to reconstruct the temples of Garf Hussein (Ramses II), and Beyt el Wali, have been finally achieved. 6. Finally, the issue of recovering the stolen artifacts, in line with UNESCO Convention, was mentioned. Over 500 artifacts have been so far returned to Egypt but more cooperation with international museums was sought. Dr Hawass concluded mentioning that excavations begun at the site of NMEC in Al Fustat, so as to fully investigate the archaeological remains. The SCA is in the process of choosing a scenario for artifacts selection. Construction works are planned for mid April 2004. 7. On behalf of the UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo, Mr Mohamed J. Abdulrazzak, Director, thanked the Egyptian authorities and particularly the Ministry of Culture and the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), for their warm welcome and kind hospitality to the Executive Committee members. He emphasized on important role that culture has plays today. 22 years after the launching of the Campaign for the Establishment of the Nubia Museum in Aswan and the National Msueum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, major changes in the vision of culture occurred. Cultural diversity is now regarded as a common heritage of humanity, dialogue between culture and civilization has become an intergovernmental priority, and museums have become a major instrument in definition of culture, and identity, and diversity are in the center of the international debate. In his opinion, museums are important means for raising public awareness at all levels, in particular in Arab countries. Mr Abdulrazzak also stressed the importance of bridging the gap and enhancing dialogue between societies and civilization. He pointed out that new information technologies and networking are also important tools to be taken into consideration. He concluded in expressing his gratitude to H.E. Mr Farouk Hosny, Minister of Culture, for his action in the field of culture. He also extended his appreciation and thanks to Dr Zahi Hawass, all members of the Committee present, and to the UNESCO Secretariat and staff of the UNESCO Cairo Office. 8. Mr Gadi G. Mgomezulu then addressed the Committee in his capacity as representative of Mr Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO. He thanked the 2 Egyptian authorities for inviting the Executive Committee to hold its Fourteenth Session in Cairo and Alexandria, and for the excellent arrangements it had accordingly made. He praised also the excellent collaboration and efforts deployed by the Egyptian authorities and the Secretariat of the Committee, which accounted very largely for the follow-up of the Committee's recommendations, while making the role and objectives of the Nubia Museum better known. 9. As ex-Chairman of the Executive Committee, Professor Michel Valloggia (Switzerland), in his turn, recalled the works carried out by the Egyptian authorities and the Secretariat, and expressed his thanking to the Director of the SCA, Dr Hawass, for the very instructive and informative presentation about museums in Egypt. He also praised UNESCO for the very good organization of the event. He then proposed the nomination of Dr Abdolrasool Vatandoust, specialist in Museum studies from Iran, for the presidency of the Executive Committee at its Fourteenth Session. 10. Dr Vatandoust was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Executive Committee. 11. Dr Hawass was unanimously re-elected Vice-President, and Ms Ana Zacarias, Deputy Permanent Delegate of Portugal to UNESCO, as Rapporteur. 12. The Agenda was adopted as follow: i. Opening of the session ii. Election of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Rapporteur iii Adoption of the agenda iv The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (a) Review of working progress, and of implementation of the recommendations of the Executive Committee (b) Discussion and recommandations v The Nubia Museum (a) Review of working progress, and of implementation of the recommendations of the Executive Committee (b) Discussion and recommendations THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN CIVILIZATION 13. Progress of work and implementation of recommendations: i. Ms Paolini, Secretariat of the Committee presented the UNESCO report on the working progress for the implementation of the Committee recommendations. Concerning the implementation of recommendations of the 13th session of the Committee, the Secretariat presented a detailed financial statement of the account for the Campaign. She further presented the implementation of the recommendations, still pending, of the 12th and 13th sessions. The results of the last mission of the UNESCO experts for the revision of the architectural program, which took place in October 2003, were also presented by the Secretariat and discussed. Furthermore, the Secretariat expressed its satisfaction about the recommendations of the UNESCO experts' having been met and included in the new design, which could now be developed into a tender document to be presented for bidding. 3 ii. The Secretariat further informed that a 2-week informative mission organized by the Secretariat but covered with funds different that the Campaign ones, for the Director of the NMEC, its architect and the Director of the Nubia Fund, took place in London and Paris in February 2004. The main aim was to visit facilities at main museums and meet with specialists in different fields to have a general view about activities in museums, with particular attention to technical issues such as storage, conservation and research laboratories, and educational facilities. The mission was very instructive and a very good opportunity to make contacts in order to perhaps engage in future partnerships with international institutions. 14. On behalf of the Egyptian Government, Mr Abdel Moneim thanked the Secretariat for the organization of the mission. He especially thanked Ms Monier and Mr Thompson, from the UNESCO team of experts, who accompanied and assisted the Egyptian team during their mission. Mr Abdel Moneim then briefly presented the Egyptian Government report, and announced that the Scientific Committee, requested in recommendation 1 of the 13th Session in 2002, was formed.