The choice of Cairo for this Congress is a strong recognition of the important role Egyptian scientists play nowadays in the field of restoration of the cultural patrimony of Humanity.
A patrimony continuously under attack for natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, and for human disasters like fire and wars.
To preserve our patrimony we need a wide involvement of actors, private and public subjects, resources and energies which go well beyond the sphere of state actions and finances.
To preserve our patrimony we need to behave as a community, to elaborate innovative strategies, to experiment new tools and new methods.
This Congress is the right place for starting this action. A new common plan must emerge from dialogue and collaboration among all of us.
Unfortunately, important unexpected occurrences prevented our major invited sponsors to be present this morning at the Opening Ceremony, prof. Zaki Hawass Director of the Supreme Council of Antiquities of Egypt and prof. Emmanuele F. M. Emanuele President of the Fondazione Roma-Mediterraneo. Both of them invited me to welcome you.
Let me also thank in advance prof. G. Fanfoni for putting at our disposal this magnificent Sama’ Khana Complex and the UNESCO Officials and in particular Prof. G. De Puymège and Dr. C. De Simone for their strong help in realizing the Congress.