Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: The National Library and Archives (NLA) announced the completion of the necessary preparations for hosting the International Council Congress (ICA) 2023 in Abu Dhabi on 9-13 October at the first meeting of the organising committee for the major archival event, which announced the activities of the conference and exhibition at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and preparations for hosting delegations from all over the world and the facilities provided to them.

Announcing the same, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al-Raisi, Cultural Adviser at the Presidential Court and Chairman of the Organizing Committee of ICA Congress 2023, confirmed that the event would be held under the slogan "Enriching Knowledge Societies” and for the first time, UAE in the Middle East will host the event, which is a matter of pride, not only for the National Library and Archives but also for the participants, the UAE nationals and all residents of this precious land.

He pointed out that the key themes of the ICA Congress 2023 have been developed in line with the priorities of the UAE, which is an oasis and an ideal model of tolerance and human coexistence. Hence "peace and tolerance" top the list of topics on the table for research, then "emerging technologies: electronic records and solutions" take the second spot, and the issue of sustainability occupies a large area through the third axis: "sustainable knowledge and a sustainable planet: archives, records and climate change." And in the fourth topic is “Trust and Evidence”, which is one of the priorities of any public or private archive in the world, and the fifth axis is “Availability and Memories”, which confirms that access to archives is a right, not a privilege.

Al-Raisi indicated that ICA Congress would see participation from more than 100 countries around the world and that the organising committee has received nearly 500 working papers. This shows the extent of interest in the Congress and affirms that it will be unique and creative and reflect the image of the Emirates and its progress and development. It excelled in all fields, and it is expected that this Congress will constitute a qualitative addition in terms of introducing the history and heritage of the UAE.

On behalf of the International Council of Archives, Josée Kirps, ICA President, delivered a speech thanking the organising committee, praising its efforts, and her excitement in joining the largest archiving event the UAE awaits in October. Kirps mentioned the role of International Archives at the global organisational level and in promoting constructive dialogue and fruitful cooperation between the archives and libraries communities and expressed happiness that the Congress of the International Council on Archives will coincide with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the International Council of Archives.

The meeting was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Mr David Fricker, former President of ICA, and attended by Ms Josée Kirps and HE Dr Abdullah Al-Raisi. The session discussed some of the critical issues that will be addressed in Congress, especially the challenges that archives face in the present and the future, such as digitisation, governance, transparency, information protection, copyright, access to historical records and the importance of artificial intelligence in archival research, the use of modern and sophisticated technologies in archival matters, data inflation and ways to preserve it for generations and make it accessible to researchers. This has inspired this year’s theme, ‘Enriching Knowledge Societies’ - in which the role of institutions and individuals in supporting the sustainability of knowledge in the UAE was highlighted.

Regarding Abu Dhabi's hosting of the International Council on Archives 2023 Congress, His Excellency Abdullah Majed Al Ali, Director General of the National Library and Archives, expressed his hope that the Congress would be full of creative and innovative ideas that enrich its themes and advance archives at the local and global levels. Furthermore, a documentary was shown on the importance of the ICA Congress 2023, which Abu Dhabi will host.

To know more about the ICA Congress 2023, please visit: https://abudhabi2023.ae/en/home/

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About National Library and Archives (NLA):

Upon directives of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, the National Library and Archives was established in 1968 under the name of “Documents and Research Bureau”, and was affiliated with Al Diwan Al Amiri (Ruler’s Court). Its objectives were defined as collecting documents and information relating to the history and culture of the Arabian Peninsula in general and the United Arab Emirates in particular, from primary sources in Arab and foreign countries. It has been entrusted with the documentation and translation of these documents. In 1972, its name was changed to the Center for Documentation & Research (CDR).