Athens: The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Department of Antiquities, in cooperation with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, are organizing the 16th International Conference on the History and Archaeology of Jordan (ICHAJ 16). The event will be held under the patronage of HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal from September 22 to 26, 2025, in Athens, Greece.
According to Jordan News Agency, HRH Prince El Hassan, the initiator and permanent sponsor of the conference, emphasized the importance of transcending narrow national boundaries to create a cohesive region in the Levant. He highlighted this approach as a means to contribute to regional stability and enhance the region's standing on the global stage.
Director General of the Department of Antiquities, Fawzi Abu Danneh, described the conference as a significant international event that promotes Jordan's historical and archaeological heritage. He underscored the conference's role in establishing Jordan as a regional hub for knowledge and cultural dialogue, noting its timing as a reflection of Jordan's importance in regional and international tourism and cultural affairs.
The conference, held every three years, gathers scholars and researchers focusing on the history and archaeology of Jordan and related regions. The inaugural session took place in 1980 at Oxford University, under the patronage of HRH Prince El Hassan.
The ICHAJ 16 will feature approximately 265 research papers, with participation from a diverse group of Jordanian, Arab, and international scholars. The program will include workshops, academic lectures, and committee meetings addressing Jordan's cultural and historical heritage. This year's theme is "Historical Archaeology and Sustainability: Learning from the Past Towards a Safer and More Resilient Future," with topics such as "Archaeology, Identity, and Human Rights," "Climate Change and Cultural Heritage," and "Sustainable Tourism and World Heritage Sites in Jordan."