Sudan’s Ambassador to Germany Addresses Opening Session of the International Conference for Nubian Studies in Munich
Munich – Sudanhorizon
Sudan’s Ambassador to Germany, Ilham Ibrahim Mohamed Ahmed, addressed the opening session of the 16th International Conference for Nubian Studies. Held in Munich from September 7 to 12, 2026, the event drew broad participation from scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts of Nubian studies from across the globe.
In her remarks—as reported by the Sudan News Agency (SUNA)—Ambassador Ilham commended the initiative of the International Society for Nubian Studies and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich in organizing this significant conference. She underscored the importance of Nubian studies in highlighting the region’s history, heritage, and contributions to human civilization. She noted that Nubia represents a vibrant cultural and civilizational landscape spanning millennia—from the eras of Kerma, Kush, Meroe, and the Christian kingdoms to contemporary Nubian communities.
The Ambassador also addressed the exceptional circumstances Sudan is enduring due to the war, highlighting the risks, damage, and systematic destruction inflicted upon Sudanese cultural heritage by the rebel militia. This includes museums, archaeological sites, archives, libraries, and historical buildings. She emphasized that protecting Sudanese heritage is a shared national and humanitarian responsibility, given that this heritage constitutes an integral part of global human heritage. Separately, the Ambassador called for enhanced international cooperation and technical support for Sudanese efforts to protect cultural heritage. She urged prioritizing recovery, rehabilitation, and restoration projects for damaged museums and archaeological sites, intensifying capacity-building training for professionals in the field, and strengthening efforts to prevent the illicit trafficking of antiquities and recover stolen artifacts. She emphasized the importance of partnerships among Sudanese and international institutions, universities, museums, and archaeologists in safeguarding and preserving heritage for future generations.
Dr. Mahmoud Suleiman, Director General of the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums (NCAM), addressed the conference via video link. He discussed the challenges and damage inflicted upon Sudan’s antiquities, museums, and cultural heritage by the war, as well as national efforts to protect them and secure their collections. He commended the role of the Armed Forces and NCAM staff, while calling for increased international cooperation and support to protect Sudanese heritage, rehabilitate its institutions, and combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property.
The 16th International Conference on Nubian Studies has drawn broad participation from scholars, researchers, and enthusiasts of Nubian studies worldwide. It also features representatives from the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums and Sudanese academic institutions, alongside numerous Sudanese scholars and researchers who are presenting academic papers and research on various topics related to Nubian studies and the challenges facing Sudan’s cultural heritage amidst current circumstances.
Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=17829