Al-Murr: The cultural and creative industries constitute a real stimulant for economic growth and diversification in societies
The National Library and Archives Hosts 33rd  Conference of the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information, which started Today in Abu Dhabi

The proceedings of the 33rd Conference of the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information, hosted by the National Library and Archives were kicked off in Abu Dhabi under the theme: “Integration of National Information and Knowledge Institutions in the UAE: Libraries, Archives and Museums”, with the participation of a large number of officials, experts and specialists in libraries, archives and museums from around the world.
The conference was opened by His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Library and Archives, with a speech in which he welcomed the participants and the conference’s guests. In his speech he stressed the importance of cultural and creative industries which stimulate growth and economic diversification in societies. He said that these industries combined with modern digital technologies have become one of the most important pillars of knowledge and creative economy that is consistent with development paths.
His Excellency expressed his wishes for the conference to achieve its desired goals in encouraging dialogue and exchanging knowledge, distinctive creative experiences, and modern innovative professional.
His Excellency invited the participants to the ICA Congress, which will be hosted by the National Library and Archives in Abu Dhabi in October 2023, under the theme: “Empowering Knowledge Societies” in which experts and specialists will discuss the future of archives and their globally related issues.
After that, Ms. Barbara Lison, the President-elect of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) gave a speech in which she thanked the United Arab Emirates for hosting the event and commended the National Library and Archives for its efforts in organizing the conference. She stressed the importance of coordination between libraries, archives and museums as they are cultural institutions that form the soft power neccesary for the movement of the wheel of development and upgrading human life. She praised the richness of the topics the conference will discuss and the close ties between the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.
His Excellency Dr. Hassan Awad Al-Suraihi, President of the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information, praised the role of the the National Library and Archives plays and the cultural events and conferences it organizes, and their importance at the local, Arab and international cultural levels. His Excellency thanked the United Arab Emirates for hosting the 33rd Conference of the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information.
He pointed out that the 33rd conference is more comprehensive than the previous conferences as it brought together national libraries, archives, document centers, national archives and museums, all of which are knowledge institutions that are concerned with preserving, managing and accessibility of knowledge. All these instituions are concerned with serving the heritage and memory of nations.
Al-Suraihi drew attention to the advancement of the functions of information and knowledge institutions due to the rapid developments taking place and said that the cooperation and integration of these important institutions in the state is vital for their continuous  successful performance and that what had prompted the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information to bring up this topic in its current conference, in addition to its continued issuing of the standard publications that support these institutions.
His Excellency Dr. Faisal Al-Tamimi, Head of the Arab Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives “ARABICA”, said in his speech: “The emergence of information technology at the end of the last century and the subsequent developments we witness today brought about a qualitative leap; these developments have contributed to the emergence of new service methods adopted by libraries and archives for the benefit of the beneficiaries. Therefore the responsibility for the validity, reliability and assurance of these information require the full cooperation and continuous coordination between libraries and archives in a manner that contributes to the creation of a conscious information society aware of the importance of correct and accurate information that are considered as an added value to the national economy in the era in which information have become an important part of the GDP of countries.
His Excellency urged the participants to work together hand in hand for rapprochement and participation in serving the interests of the Arab peoples by spreading the true image of the Arab civilization and authentic values of which the Arabs are proud.
The opening ceremony concluded with the distribution of two Naseej Academy Awards: Dr. Faten Bameflih from Saudi Arabia won the award of Scientific Excellence, and Professor Riad Radwan from Egypt won the award of Professional Excellence.
The Arab Federation for Libraries and Information distributed two awards: one for the best scientific thesis in the specialty of libraries and information, which was won by Dr. Amani Abdel Qawi from King Abdulaziz University, and another award for the best distinguished project, which was presented to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Library in Dubai, and the award shield was received by Dr. Mohammed Al Mazrouei.
The opening activities of the conference at Hotel Fairmont Bab Al Bahr - Abu Dhabi were followed by seven scientific sessions in which nearly 30 topics were discussed in information institutions in general and libraries and their digital content and challenges, archives and their services and distinctive experiences and their effects on building culture.
The activities of the first day of the 33rd Conference of Libraries and Information will conclude with a dinner reception hosted by the National Library and Archives to honor the guests at Hotel Fairmont Bab Al Bahr - Abu Dhabi.