ABU DHABI, 9th October, 2023 (WAM) — Josee Kirps, President of the International Council on Archives (ICA), stressed that the ICA Abu Dhabi Congress 2023 would be a knowledge platform for envisioning the future of the international archiving sector, as well as for discussing relevant challenges and opportunities. The UAE is a global hub for envisioning the future and investing in opportunities to achieve prosperity and development across various sectors, she added.In her statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the occasion of the launch of the ICA Abu Dhabi Congress 2023 tomorrow, Kirps said that this prominent international event is rich in diverse and valuable agendas, featuring the participation of elite experts and specialists from around the world and a range of scientific and diverse discussions, during which a clear vision can be drafted for utilising the opportunities available in the sector, as well as foreseeing the future of the archival profession and its challenges. “Under the theme of
the ICA, ‘Enriching Knowledge Societies,’ we are committed to addressing visions and ideas on various topics, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in the archival and records sector,” she stated. “We are keen to engage in discussions about the role of AI in our work and on how to encourage collaborative efforts for the future of our profession,” she added, pointing out that AI and other modern technological techniques can play a crucial role in preserving, documenting and archiving records. There are significant opportunities to leverage these technologies for sector development and support, Kirps further said, noting that more than 5,000 participants from 135 countries will gather in Abu Dhabi during the ICA Congress. She also stressed the importance of organising the ICA Hackathon as part of the event’s activities, as this initiative is an opportunity for school and university students to present innovative and creative ideas in the archiving sector, as well as benefit from the knowledge of the
experts who will oversee the competitions. The ICA, founded in 1948, is an organisation dedicated to promoting ways of preserving archives and making them accessible worldwide, she explained, affirming that the ICA collaborates with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the Blue Shield and other international non-governmental organisations to offer training courses and increase standards. She also lauded the UAE’s preparations to host the current edition of the ICA, the first time it will be held in an Arab country, which is a testament to the confidence in the country’s capacity to organise an exceptional edition of this prominent international event.
Source: Emirates News Agency