The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) organized the regional forum on “The inventory of craft traditions in the Arab world,” whose activities began today, Thursday 05 February 2026, in Cairo, jointly organized with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and the Egyptian National Commission for Education, Science and Culture. It continues on 5 and 6 February 2026 at the headquarters of the Supreme Council of Culture.

In his opening address, Dr. Ahmed Fouad Hanno, the Egyptian Minister of Culture, affirmed that the forum represents an important step on the path of building Arab capacities in the field of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, stressing that craft traditions are not merely inherited practices, but a living cultural energy that contributes to shaping awareness and strengthening identity, and affirming that safeguarding this heritage is grounded in investing in the human being as its bearer and maker.

For his part, His Excellency Professor Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, affirmed the importance of developing joint scientific methodologies for the inventory of Arab craft traditions, and of enhancing coordination and the exchange of expertise among the Member States, in a manner that ensures the safeguarding, valorization and sustainability of this heritage.

The forum's program includes scientific sessions and specialized workshops addressing the concepts of inventorying intangible cultural heritage, electronic documentation mechanisms, and community participation, in addition to presenting the experiences of a number of Arab countries in preparing inventory lists.