Natural Resources and Cultural Heritage of the Libyan Desert: report on a conference held in Libya 14-21 December 2002

Abstract

The Society for Libyan Studies (SLS), in concert with the Libyan Environment Agency (EGA), the Biruni Remote Sensing Agency, the British Council and the British Embassy, Tripoli, organised a major international and interdisciplinary conference on the Sahara desert, held in Tripoli and southern Libya in December 2002. This marked the culmination of two years' planning and preparation after the idea was initiated by David Mattingly, whilst Chair of the SLS. On the Libyan side, the organising committee was chaired by Dr Ehtuish F. Ehtuish (Secretary of Natural Resources, Environment and Urban Planning), with the main organisational work being carried out by Dr Khaled Gadgood and Dr Ahmed Tawangi of the EGA, along with Dr Yahya al-Fasatwi of the Biruni Remote Sensing Centre. The conference received strong backing from successive British Ambassadors, Richard Dalton and Anthony Layden, and the role of Tony Jones, British Council Director in Tripoli was crucial in finalising all the practical arrangements. Anthony and Josephine Layden kindly hosted a reception to welcome conference delegates on 14th December. The British Council and British Embassy also provided financial support towards travel costs of external speakers and the hire of facilities in Tripoli. Additional sponsorship for the conference was received from Shell, BAE Systems, the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce. British Council staff worked tirelessly during the conference to ensure close liaison with our Libyan hosts. The southern tour (see below) received considerable practical support from the local government agencies (shaʿabiyāt) in Fazzan. The general organisation of the conference was superb, for which our Libyan hosts were much congratulated.