Muscat, September 13, 2022
The Ambassador of Italy, H.E. Federica Favi, witnessed a ceremony held at the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism where Prof. Sergio Ferdinandi bestowed a plate by Prof. Adriano Rossi, President of the Italian research institute ISMEO, to H.E. the Minister, Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, nominating him as a honorary member of the institute for his outstanding support to the Italian archaeological researches in the Sultanate for over twenty years and for his strong commitment in protecting the cultural heritage of the Sultanate of Oman.
Based in Rome since 1934, ISMEO-International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies, conducts study, training and research programs related to the cultures and countries of Asia and Africa and their interactions with the Mediterranean basin. To this end, it promotes and develops cultural and scientific contacts and collaboration with institutions and international organizations and funds archaeological research, excavations and publications internationally. “ISMEO is considered one of the most prestigious institutions in this field in Italy and internationally. Since the 1970s it financed dozens of archaeological missions by Italian universities and scholars to Oman” – highlighted Ambassador Favi – “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy is the other strong financial supporter of the Italian archaeological research in Oman, with projects across the whole Sultanate held in partnership with ISMEO”.
“ISMEO has been supporting a wide range of studies that were key to understand the historical developments of South Arabia since the Neolithic and its relations with the neighboring regions” commented ISMEO Vice President, Prof. Sergio Ferdinandi, who added that “A significant example of the cooperation with the Omani authorities is the research in Daba collective tombs in Musandam, where La Sapienza University of Rome and the Ministry of Heritage have been excavating since 2013 bringing back the traces of a sophisticated and connected society that can attract the interest of tourism in the area. With the cooperation of the Embassy of Italy, a training project for local guides was held to build the capacity and strengthen the ownership of the local communities. Minister Mahrouqi support has been fundamental in this regard”.
Upon receiving the award, the Minister of Heritage and Tourism, H.E. Salim Al Mahrouqi, expressed its gratitude for the acknowledgement and reaffirmed his appreciation for the strong collaboration with Italy in the field of heritage protection as a way to promote tourism in the Sultanate.
