Egypt will host an international antiquities conference, organized by the Foreign Ministry, on May 13 and 14.
The conference, which is the first of its kind world-wide, will probe dangers in the Middle East, especially the looting of the region's antiquities by the terrorist groups.
The gathering will also discuss the trafficking of cultural treasures and the smuggling of artifacts which are estimated at six billion dollars annually.
In statements on Monday, the Foreign Minister Assistant for the Cultural Relations Ambassador Olfat Farah said that a number of Arab countries will participate in the conference at the level of foreign and antiquities ministers as well as international institutions concerned with cultural heritage, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
She further reiterated that the Foreign Ministry spares no effort to render this event successful.
