In the framework of cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Sudan, Doha will host a significant scientific meeting on the 14th and 15th of April which will involve approximately 25 Heads of Archeological Expeditions and Specialists, to study ways of cooperation in the field of excavation, preservation, restoration and means of introducing the monuments of Sudan to the World.

This meeting will enhance the directions of the two countries’ leaderships, that aim to develop the practical steps in this field.  Officials of the Sudanese National Authority of Museums and Monuments and Qatar Museums Authority have studied the means of joint cooperation at a number of meetings between the two countries, and in particular the international workshop held in Khartoum on 16-17 February where 15 scientific papers were presented, discussing the history and archeology of Sudan from one million years up to the Islamic Period.

A Qatari delegation attended the workshop led by Sheikh Dr. Hassan Bin Mohammad Bin Ali Al-Thani, Vice-Chairman of Qatar Museums Authority Board of Trustees. The Qatari delegation visited several archeological sites in the Center and North of Sudan in the provinces of Nile River and Shamaliya.  Several meetings were held, and resulted in the decision to hold the meeting in Doha on 14-15 April 2009 in order to go forward and continue to study the means of cooperation based on the proposals put forward by the Heads of Foreign and Sudanese Expeditions working in Sudan.

Twelve Specialists and Directors from the Republic of Sudan will participate in this workshop, representing the Monuments Authority and several Sudanese Universities, in addition to fourteen archeologists, who lead various archeological expeditions on the banks of the River Nile. These archaeologists come from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Poland and Italy.

These expeditions are represented by institutions known in the field of archeology; such as the British Museum, the Berlin Optical Museum, Polish Academy of Sciences, University of Warsaw, French Research Center, Charles De Gaule University, and North Eastern University in the USA. Twenty four scientific papers will be presented in this workshop discussing specific projects and concepts for the archeological work.

Sudan archeology and its ancient history lend themselves to exploration,  since Sudan first witnessed human existence on the Nile valley dating back thousands of years. Sudan has witnessed different civilizations and kingdoms, who have left their mark on the banks of the River Nile and throughout the sands of the Sudanese desert. Today there are more than 40 foreign expeditions working on the monuments of Sudan.

Dr. Mustafa Othman Ismail Advisor to the President of Sudan will lead the Sudanese delegation to this significant scientific meeting.