The French Research Center for the Arabian Peninsula (CEFREPA) and Kuwait's National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) inaugurated the three-day conference "Archaeology and Architectural Engineering: Between Modern Technology and National Identity" at Crowne Plaza Hotel on Sunday, bringing together international experts to develop innovative heritage conservation strategies.

Keynote Addresses:

1. Dr. Mohammed Al-Jassar (NCCAL Secretary-General):
   "Kuwait is systematically developing historic sites as cultural tourism destinations, implementing UNESCO-standard conservation to achieve World Heritage status – creating both cultural and economic returns."

2. H.E. Olivier Guyon (French Ambassador):
   Highlighted 40+ years of Kuwaiti-French archaeological cooperation, including:

   • Failaka Island excavations

   • Hellenistic Castle preservation

   • New specialist training program with World Heritage Fund

3. Dr. Makram Abbas (CEFREPA Director):
   Announced expanded collaboration in:
   ✓ Archaeological fieldwork
   ✓ Manuscript preservation
   ✓ Digital heritage documentation
   "Our joint work gains special significance as Kuwait prepares to be 2025 Arab Culture Capital."

Academic Leadership:
Dr. Aseel Al-Arqam (Conference Chair, Kuwait University):
"Gulf architecture embodies cultural identity, not just aesthetics. We must reinterpret heritage through interdisciplinary approaches that bridge past and future."

Conference Program Highlights:

Day 1: Documenting National Identity

• "Kuwait's Architectural Modernism: Water Towers Conservation" by Eng. Zahra Ali Baba

• "Hellenistic Temple of Failaka: From Ancient to Authentically Kuwaiti" by Dr. Mathilde Gelin (CNRS)

Day 2: Regional Case Studies

• "Mudbrick Architecture in Pre-Islamic Arabia" by Dr. Ali Tuaiman

• "Neo-Traditional Urbanism in Saudi Cities" by Dr. Mishari Al-Naim

Day 3: Technology Workshops

• LiDAR scanning demonstrations

• BIM modeling for heritage sites

• Field visits to conservation projects

Strategic Context:
The conference supports:

• Kuwait's 2035 Vision for cultural economy development

• Four pending World Heritage nominations

• France-Kuwait 2024 Cultural Year initiatives